You may have heard of veneers but may be wondering exactly what they are. Veneers are thin pieces of resin, porcelain, or other materials that are attached to the front of your teeth. The dental veneer is a versatile, minimally invasive treatment option for a wide variety of dental issues.
When Is a Veneer Used?
Veneers can repair many problems with your teeth, including:
Discolored teeth — Your teeth can become discolored for many reasons. Life habits like drinking coffee or smoking, root canal treatment, the use of tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride, or the presence of large fillings can all cause staining.
Worn teeth — Teeth will be ground down from daily chewing and biting. Veneers can reshape mild to moderately worn teeth. If the wearing is due to bruxism, or some underlying condition, treatment may be necessary prior to applying veneers.
Chipped or broken teeth — Veneers cover damaged teeth, providing an aesthetic benefit as well as protecting the tooth from further damage.
Misaligned or misshapen teeth — Veneers won’t realign teeth like orthodontics, but in some cases, veneers are suitable for hiding minor orthodontic problems. They can reshape teeth that are too rounded, squared, or short compared to the rest of the teeth.
Close a gap — Some patients may have teeth that have a little too much space between them — not enough for orthodontic treatment, but enough to cause self-consciousness or embarrassment. Veneers are useful for closing those gaps by resizing the joining teeth.
Benefits of a Porcelain Veneer
Porcelain is often chosen for veneers because it can be color-matched to your other teeth and its translucency mimics that of a natural tooth. Porcelain veneers also resist staining. When traditional whitening won’t work, porcelain veneers can be used to whiten teeth instead. Gum tissue is less sensitive to porcelain, and veneers don’t take much adjustment to be comfortable. The care for veneers is pretty much just practicing your normal good oral hygiene regimen.
Say Hello to a Beautiful Smile
At Friendly Family Dentistry we are ready to answer any questions about porcelain veneers you may have. If you are in the Terre Haute, Indiana, area and are ready to dazzle with a “Hollywood” smile, contact our office today to schedule a consultation and discover what porcelain veneers can do for you.
