Porcelain veneers have revolutionised cosmetic dentistry, offering a versatile solution to achieve a flawless smile. These ultra-thin shells are custom-made to fit over your natural teeth, effectively correcting a range of dental imperfections. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, here’s what you need to know about this transformative dental treatment.
Cosmetic dentistry uses many techniques to transform your smile – one of them is porcelain veneers. But how can you know if they are right for you? To help you decide if you are the right candidate to get porcelain veneers, here is what you must know about porcelain veneers.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are dental veneers, also called dental porcelain laminates. These are custom-made wafer-thin shells made of tooth-coloured materials. They are made to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. The porcelain shells are bonded to the front of the teeth that need to be treated. It changes their shape, length, size and colour. Veneers are a popular choice for individuals seeking to enhance their smile by covering issues like discoloration, gaps, misalignment, and more.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers:
- Natural Appearance: Porcelain closely mimics the look and feel of natural tooth enamel, ensuring a seamless blend with your existing teeth.
- Customisation: Veneers are tailored to your specific needs, allowing you to achieve the exact smile you desire.
- Durability: Properly cared for, veneers can last for a decade or more, providing long-lasting results.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, helping you maintain a bright smile.
- Minimal Tooth Reduction: Compared to other procedures, veneers require minimal enamel removal, preserving your tooth’s structure.
Why are Porcelain Veneers So Popular ?
Porcelain veneers are popular because they better mimic the light-reflecting properties of your natural teeth. Apart from producing legitimately surprising results, porcelain veneers are also famous for changing the appearance of your teeth while leaving you with natural-looking and realistic teeth. Therefore, veneers can make you look perfect if you have any dental issue, chipped or broken tooth, or want to whiten the colour of your existing teeth.
What is the Procedure for Getting Porcelain Veneers?
Getting porcelain veneers applied to teeth generally involves a simple and pain-free procedure. Here, a wafer-thin piece of porcelain is affixed to a person’s tooth with an adhesive bond. It is then hardened into its place with the help of a special light. Each porcelain veneer is custom-made depending on the specifications, including size, shape, and colour. It helps to create the desired look for your teeth.
The entire procedure of getting porcelain veneers usually takes two dental visits. During your first visit, your cosmetic dentist will assess your teeth and make a mould of the tooth onto which the porcelain veneer will be fitted to. The veneer will be custom-made in the dental laboratory to fit your tooth.
On the second visit, your dentist will make etches in the tooth enamel to create a rough surface. It helps the cement adhesive and veneer bond to your tooth surface. Then the dentist will apply porcelain veneers with glue to your teeth. Next, he will use a blue light to harden the adhesive and form a strong seal of veneers onto your tooth surface. Lastly, the dentist will ensure that your bite is the perfect and overall look of the porcelain veneers are consistent with your natural teeth.
Veneers Aftercare and Maintenance:
- Maintain Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to keep your veneers and natural teeth healthy and clean.
- Avoid Excessive Force: While veneers are durable, avoid biting down on extremely hard objects to prevent damage.
- Routine Dental Visits: Regular dental check-ups will ensure the health and longevity of your veneers.
What Type of Dental Issues Do Porcelain Veneers Fix?
Porcelain veneers provide an ideal option to fix different cosmetic dental issues, including:
- They can reshape your irregular or uneven teeth to correct your bite.
- They are used to even out and whiten your stained or discoloured teeth, giving them a perfect appearance.
- Dentists apply porcelain veneers to protect and cover your worn-down, chipped, or broken teeth.
- Porcelain veneers are ideal for filling unwanted gaps or spaces between your teeth.
What are the Few Downsides to Porcelain Veneers?
These types of dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain materials, so they are not as strong as your natural teeth. As a result, they can break or crack with excessive grinding or clenching of teeth. So, you need to take extra care to get a long life of your porcelain veneers. In addition, you will have to avoid biting down on hard objects like pens, ice, nails, etc.
Once your dentist adheres porcelain veneers to your tooth, it is permanent. However, the application process requires removing some tooth enamel from the surface of your natural tooth,
which can’t be reversed. So, please take care that it doesn’t crack or break because in that case, your dentist will scratch more tooth enamel to replace the veneer with a new one.
Sometimes, a patient may experience sensitivity with the tooth on which veneers have been placed. However, the sensitivity issue goes away within a day or two
What’s the Cost of Having Porcelain Veneers?
Although you may find that the cost of porcelain veneers is less than other cosmetic procedures, the price can differ depending on various factors. In addition, the cost differs because each veneer is custom fitted to your teeth based on your specific dental needs. So, a dentist requires a thorough dental examination to give an estimate on the cost of a porcelain veneer for your tooth. Read our blog on cost of porcelain veneers in Brisbane worth the investment.
A professional dental office, such as Hashtag Dentist, can help you decide if you are the right candidate for porcelain veneers. Our cosmetic dentist will evaluate your dental health and give you options so that you can achieve your dream smile quickly within your budget.
Porcelain veneers offer a transformative solution for achieving a stunning smile. With their natural appearance, durability, and versatility, they have become a popular choice among those seeking to enhance their dental aesthetics. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, consult with a qualified dentist in Brisbane to determine if this cosmetic option is right for you. Your dream smile could be just a few appointments away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Porcelain veneers generally last between 10 to 17 years. However, longevity depends on the quality of the material used and how well you look after your veneers. To extend the life of your porcelain veneers and make the most of your smile, you will have to ensure:
- You brush your teeth two times a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss your teeth daily.
- Give a dentist every six months for professional cleaning and check-up.
- Wear a mouthguard during sleep if you have a habit of grinding your teeth.
The more you care for your porcelain veneers, the longer they will serve your purpose, leaving you to look more confident. You can contact your dentist if, at any point, you experience issues with your veneers.
Most people report no pain or discomfort during the application of porcelain veneers onto their tooth surface. It is because the treatment procedure is minimally invasive. It requires minimal preparation, that is, the removal of a thin layer of enamel from your natural teeth.
However, the pain or discomfort depends on how the treatment is performed. If it is performed correctly, it will feel completely natural to your mouth. You will feel completely comfortable and confident. Nobody will be able to notice your veneers while you talk, eat, smile or do any activities with your teeth.
Porcelain veneers are more robust than composite veneers. Therefore, they provide a better option to those looking to improve the appearance of more than one tooth. In addition, porcelain veneers last longer than composite veneers and are less likely to stain, unlike veneers.
A poorly designed or fabricated veneer may not match well with your natural teeth. It is distinctly visible when you eat, speak, or smile. In addition, the veneers generally look incredibly white with little character.
Composite veneers provide an economical option to restore your dental imperfections. People choose this option to improve their crooked, discoloured, or misaligned teeth. They also prefer it to transform their smile in a budget-friendly manner. Though composite veneers are applied to last long, you do not need to remove them unless you have any health issues.
The composite material can be removed entirely without causing harm to your teeth, unlike porcelain. You can get your composite veneers removed as necessary. They are easy to remove when your dentist applies an additive. It protects your teeth against damage and can put new veneers onto your tooth whenever you want.
- Consultation: Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and ensure you’re a suitable candidate.
- Realistic Expectations: Understand what veneers can and cannot achieve in terms of appearance.
- Tooth Health: Ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition before veneer placement.
- Permanent Decision: Veneers involve enamel removal, making them irreversible.
- Maintenance: Commit to proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits to preserve veneer longevity.
Yes, if you seek a lasting, natural-looking solution for cosmetic dental issues like discoloration, gaps, and minor misalignment. Consult a dentist for personalised advice.
No, veneers involve enamel removal and are irreversible. Once veneers are placed, you’ll need them for aesthetic and functional reasons.
