Porcelain veneers are becoming popular as more and more people are becoming conscious of how they look. With the advent of selfies, people realize how having whiter and evenly proportioned teeth can make a smile more beautiful.
What exactly are veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that can be applied on the surface of the teeth to make slight position alterations, or to change tooth shape, size, and/or color. It recreates natural looking teeth, while providing strength. It can enhance your look by providing evenly shaped and coloured teeth.
Do I need veneers?
Porcelain laminate veneers consist of a compilation of several thin ceramic layers which replace original tooth enamel, and an adhesive layer. A thin amount of the labial tooth enamel is removed to create room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and accurately restore tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth.
The veneer is cemented using a dual cure cement that creates a bond between the teeth and the undersurface of the veneer.
Porcelain Veneers are a very successful option in situations where the original teeth have gaps, slight malposition, poor color, fracture or minor bite-related problems. It is also the best option to permanently whiten teeth.
What are the advantages?
Since veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Unlike natural teeth, custom-made veneers resist coffee and tea stains, and cigarette smoke because they are made of high-tech materials.
With veneers—as opposed to crowns—your natural teeth remain largely intact with only a minimal amount being altered to fit the veneer.
For teeth that resist whitening, veneers can make even the darkest teeth appear bright white.
Dentists may also recommend veneers to quickly fix minor twists, overlaps, and small gaps.
Are there disadvantages?
Once veneer is placed on the teeth, the process is irreversible because the surface of the teeth will be reduced to accommodate the veneer. Although adjustments and even new veneers can be made, you cannot return to the original condition of the tooth.
Porcelain veneers are fabricated in the laboratory. Hence, it would take at least 7-10 days before it can be installed.
Some patients may experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures after veneer installation. This is perfectly normal as a thin layer of enamel was removed during the process. This typically disappears within a few days. In a healthy mouth properly treated with porcelain veneers—and where destructive forces are minimized or eliminated—a patient should be able to use porcelain veneers like his or her own teeth. Although they’re very strong, veneers are also brittle. You should avoid the same excessive stresses you would avoid with non-veneered teeth: don’t bite your fingernails, chew ice, or open beer bottles with your veneers!
How do I maintain them?
Maintaining porcelain veneers is actually quite simple: Treat them as you would your original teeth, with routine brushing and flossing. Using non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste is best.
A post-operative follow up is scheduled so the dentist can check and evaluate how your mouth is reacting to the veneers. Adjustment may also be made to correct minor bite problems. If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, your dentist may ask you to wear a night guard so you do not damage your veneers.
Regular dental visit twice a year is recommended so the dentist can do scaling and polishing and check for any sign of potential failure.
Porcelain Veneers are available at Winning Smiles Dental Clinic. Be one of our many patients who can’t stop smiling because of their whiter, nicer teeth.