If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about your smile, you’re not alone. Many people have front teeth that are chipped, cracked, stained, or yellowed. Fortunately, there’s a quick fix: dental veneers. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that adhere to the front of your teeth, giving a uniform appearance.
They’re a popular cosmetic dentistry option for people who would like a whiter, more even smile. If you’re thinking about porcelain veneers, here are 5 benefits that our Grand Rapids, MI veneers dentist wants you to know.
Porcelain Veneer Benefits
Natural Appearance
Porcelain veneers are created based on impressions your dentist takes of your teeth. This means that you can expect the contouring and color of the porcelain shell to mimic your natural tooth enamel. Not only do porcelain veneers look natural, but they also feel natural. The ceramic covering hides stained or cracked teeth like a protective shell so you can eat and talk normally.
After your porcelain veneers arrive from the lab, our cosmetic dentist may make slight adjustments by cutting excess material or matching the color of your tooth enamel. In other words, your dental veneers are customized to fit over your teeth in a way that will look and feel natural.
Fixes Dental Problems
Porcelain veneers can be used to fix a wide variety of dental issues, which include:
- Gaps between teeth
- Missing teeth
- Chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
For minor cosmetic dental problems, you may want to discuss with our dentist whether you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can help you boost your confidence by closing gaps between teeth or even covering up discolored teeth.
Resists Stains and Decay
Did you know that porcelain veneers are able to resist staining and decay better than normal teeth? Given proper care, you can expect your dental veneers to last between 10 and 15 years. While porcelain veneers are durable and stain resistant, you still need to care for them as you would natural teeth.
For example, excessive coffee drinking can stain your veneers. Also, using your front teeth to bite down on hard foods such as ice can cause your veneers to chip if you’re not careful. As long as you take good care of your dental veneers, they will last you for years to come.
Easy to Maintain
Take care of your new porcelain veneers the same way you take care of your natural teeth. Be sure to brush twice a day and floss daily to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Also, make sure you schedule regular dental checkups with your preventative care dentist. This easy maintenance will help you keep the natural white shine in your veneers so you can enjoy a beautiful healthy smile. Since veneers are non-porous, they are able to resist permanent stains and cavities better than your natural tooth enamel. In other words, dental veneer maintenance is minimal.
Not Invasive
Porcelain veneer procedures are less invasive than other types of dental restorations, such as dental crowns. To make room for your porcelain veneers, our cosmetic dentist will need to shave ½ millimeter from the front surface of your teeth. While this may seem like a lot, keep in mind that teeth receiving dental crowns require more filing because the crown has to fit over the entire tooth. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are adhered only to the front surface that is visible to other people. During the dental veneers procedure, you may also need very little to no anesthesia.
Porcelain veneers are a great way to fix an imperfect smile. Our Grand Rapids, MI cosmetic dentist has years of experience helping patients like you get their confidence back through cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your appointment, call Complete Health Dentistry at (616) 458-7267.
