Discoloured, stained, pitted or chipped teeth are a common problem that can cause a considerable amount of misery. Cigarette smoking, regular consumption of certain foods and even just the natural composition of the teeth can all result in a yellow, unattractive smile.
Although a good dental hygiene routine may stop problems getting worse and even achieve a temporary improvement, in many cases, the teeth are too badly affected to regain an acceptable condition. In this type of situation, there are a number of options that can be considered to improve matters. One of the most popular and least invasive is investing in a set of porcelain veneers.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain (or ceramic) veneers are very thin slices of ceramic that are individually shaped to mirror each tooth. They are stuck in place individually on the front surface of each tooth, providing a natural-looking cover that instantly transforms the damaged or discolored tooth into an even, white asset. Patients can invest in a single veneer to cover a particularly unappealing tooth or buy a whole set to transform their whole look. Veneers are tinted to match the hue of your teeth, ensuring the results are natural, as well as appealing.
What types of porcelain veneers are there?
When you mention the possibility of investing in veneers to your dentist, they will be able to discuss the various types of veneer with you in more detail, as well as making recommendations about the variety that is going to be best for you. Briefly, patients can benefit from pressed porcelain veneers (these are extremely durable and are made in a specialist laboratory before being applied to your natural teeth) or lithium disilicate veneers – these are often used on particularly badly damaged teeth and are created using CAD/CAM technology.
What are the advantages of porcelain veneers?
Veneers, in general, are a fairly non-invasive method of improving the exterior appearance of teeth. Porcelain veneers, in particular, are extremely strong; once in place, they are unlikely to require replacement or maintenance for many years to come and can just be treated with your usual dental hygiene routine.
Porcelain veneers are also less likely to become stained and discolored over time in comparison with resin veneers – a particular benefit if you are a smoker. In comparison with resin veneers, a porcelain veneer can often have a more natural appearance, enabling them to blend more easily with other teeth in the jaw.
How do I go about getting porcelain veneers?
If you feel that porcelain veneers would be a good idea, the first thing to do is to discuss the matter in more detail with your dentist. They will complete a full assessment of your oral health and dental requirements, giving you the information you need to decide if veneers are going to be the right solution for the problems that you feel you have. Once you and the dental team are agreed that porcelain veneers are the best way forward, the process of creating and applying them can commence.
What happens during the fitting procedure?
Once it’s been decided that veneers are going to be the best treatment option, your dentist will start by making sure they have all the information they need regarding your oral history. They will gently remove the outer enamel layer of each tooth to be veneered so that the subsequent impressions that are taken provide an accurate tooth profile. In addition, x-rays and photographs may well also be taken. This will give the lab all the information needed to make your veneers to match your individual requirements.
Temporary veneers may be put in place until yours are ready. Once the veneers have been created, your dentist will check that they are exactly right for the shape of your teeth and do any last-minute alterations and adaptations that are required. Just before the veneers are cemented into place, an acid solution is applied to the tooth to help make the tooth’s surface as suitable as possible for a tight bond. Once the cement has been applied and the veneer is stuck in place, the process is then usually complete.
Could veneers work for me?
Although it’s impossible to say whether veneers are going to be right for you without a detailed assessment from one of our skilled dentists, it is true that they are used by a large number of people to enhance their teeth and provide a more natural, attractive smile. Although porcelain veneers aren’t the cheapest option, many individuals find that the additional durability, extremely natural appearance and stain-resistance mean that these veneers are an excellent choice and offer great value.
Once in place, veneers can often give years of excellent service without further maintenance or replacement being required. Why not get in touch and see for yourself what benefits porcelain dental veneers might bring?
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