Are Porcelain Veneers Right for Me?
Are you self-conscious about your smile? If you have teeth that are chipped, cracked, or discolored, porcelain veneers might be an option for you. Our Grand Rapids, MI cosmetic dentists can help you decide whether porcelain dental veneers are the right way to correct your imperfect smile. Read on to learn why we recommend porcelain veneers to fix damaged teeth.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that can be attached to the front of your teeth to hide imperfections, resulting in a straighter, whiter smile. Veneers can be used to correct:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Stains that cannot be removed through whitening treatments
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
Our dentists will carefully remove a small amount of enamel from the front of your teeth so that, when applied, the veneers will lay flat against the rest of your smile. Since the veneers process is noninvasive, you may not even need anesthesia while our dentists remove the enamel.
If you’re considering porcelain veneers, here are 5 great reasons to ask our dentists about the procedure.
1. Cover Imperfections
Dental veneers are able to fix small cosmetic issues that are visible when you smile or talk. During your consultation, our dentists will be able to determine if you’re a likely candidate for veneers. For example, we may recommend veneers to close slight gaps between front teeth.
However, not all patients are eligible for veneers. If the tooth is fragile, our dentists may instead recommend a crown to restore the tooth to its natural strength and appearance. Either way, our dentists will be able to find the right solution for your smile.
2. Keep Your Natural Structure
Once you remove tooth enamel, it’s gone for good. Fortunately, we only need to remove a small amount of enamel to make room for the veneers, allowing you to preserve the natural structure of your teeth.
While porcelain veneers are only bonded to the front of your teeth, dental crowns have to fit over the entire tooth. This means that our dentists would have to remove more enamel for a crown than for a veneer.
3. Restore Your Confidence
The veneers procedure takes two trips to our office. During your first visit, our dentists will remove enough enamel from the front of your teeth so there’s space for the . Otherwise, the porcelain veneers will make your teeth seem large and bulky.
Next, our dentists will take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab. To protect your teeth in the meantime, we will place temporary veneers. When you return to our office, your veneers will be ready.
Our dentists will make sure the tooth restoration matches the color of your natural enamel. That way, you can smile with confidence after leaving our office. We may also need to slightly adjust the fit of the veneers so they look and feel natural. Cosmetic dentistry is as much an art as it is a science.
4. Prevent Damage
Practicing good oral hygiene and being conscious of the foods you eat can help your veneers last for years to come. For example, porcelain veneers can chip if you bite down on ice and stain if you drink too much coffee. If you take good care of your veneer teeth, you can expect them to last about 10 years.
5. Easy to Maintain
While veneers are stain resistant, you’ll still need to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily to maintain good oral health. Also, make sure you schedule regular dental checkups with our dentists.
This easy maintenance will help you keep veneers pearly white so you can enjoy a beautiful healthy smile. Since dental veneers are non-porous, they are able to resist permanent stains and cavities better than natural tooth enamel. In other words, minimal effort is needed to maintain veneers.
Ready to Make an Appointment?
At Bander Dental Group, our Grand Rapids, MI dentists are happy to answer any questions you might have about porcelain veneers. To schedule an appointment, give our office a call at (616) 949-5980.
Related Blog Posts
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6 Ways Cosmetic Dentistry Can Improve Your Smile
This blog post has been updated.