Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are bonded directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. As an aesthetic dental procedure, dental veneers create a brighter, whiter smile composed of more perfectly aligned and shapely teeth. Veneers are sometimes placed for cosmetic reasons alone, rather than for necessary functional reasons. The translucent quality of today’s porcelain veneers provides a more natural look than what has been available in the past. The modern porcelains perform more effectively in the creation of a beautiful and natural appearing smile.
Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to aesthetic detail. Each patient’s smile is unique to that individual. Dr. Torres-Melendez or Dr. Spatz will develop your new smile with a diagnostic wax-up on stone casts of your teeth. They will review the design with you and make modifications you may desire, prior to any tooth preparation or impression making.
Despite the cause of unattractive teeth, veneers can assist in solving your aesthetic concerns. Below are listed some situations where veneers can be used to address an aesthetic issue:
- Wear and Tear: Teeth naturally wear down as people age. Older teeth are more likely to have cracks, chips, or an uneven appearance.
- Worn Enamel: The thin, hard white substance covering your teeth (enamel) may become worn, dulled, and discolored over time.
- Uneven Teeth: Uneven length or width of teeth caused by crowding or old fillings.
- Genetics: Adults may have misshapen or discolored teeth as a result of a genetic (inherited) condition. .
Will they look like normal teeth?
When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For appearance, their resemblance to healthy and white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative dental options.
How durable are porcelain veneers?
With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade. Drs. Torres-Melendez or Spatz will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and reliable materials available.
You can protect and prolong the lifespan of your veneers by refraining from using your teeth as tools to open and cut things. To protect your investment, an occlusal guard may be prescribed to protect your veneers from bruxism damage while you are sleeping. If accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the one veneer involved.