Porcelain Veneers: Four Things to Know

4 Things You Should Know About Porcelain Veneers

If you have tooth discoloration, crooked, or poorly spaced teeth, porcelain veneers can provide an effective solution. Veneers are thin layers of ceramic that are glued to the tooth surface and can change the size, shape, and color of your tooth.

A few things to know about porcelain veneers:

1. Porcelain veneers can create an entire smile makeover.

Because veneers are glued to your tooth surface, they can completely refurbish imperfect teeth and make your teeth look naturally beautiful. Chips and gaps can be corrected with the help of veneers. Veneer placement is easy and does not require surgery, so it is easy to get your dream smile.

2. Porcelain veneers can usually be placed within a week.

The installation of porcelain veneers is simple. The first step is preparing the natural teeth which are going to be capped. The tooth material is reduced to make space to accommodate the veneer. An impression is created from a mold and sent to a lab for a custom set of veneers. Your dentist will match the shade of your porcelain veneers to that of your existing teeth. Once fabricated, your dentist can attach them to your teeth in just one visit. 

3. Porcelain veneers can whiten and straighten the appearance of your teeth.

Veneers can be used to cover teeth that have become dark or that have been stained by food, smoking or improper care. Because the veneers are porcelain, they will not stain, creating a lasting smile that will stay sparkling white. Minor alignment issues can also be corrected with the assistance of veneers, creating that perfect smile without using braces.

4. Porcelain veneers must be maintained.

While veneers are strong enough to endure regular eating activities, you should still avoid chewing on ice, nail biting, and grinding of teeth. Hard surfaces can cause veneers to get chipped or cracked. Broken veneers need to be removed and replaced.