Dental or porcelain veneers are commonly used in cosmetic dentistry to improve a person’s smile and overall appearance of the teeth. Veneers are wafer thin layers made of tooth-like substance used to cover chipped, broken, excessively stained or discolored teeth. Porcelain veneers are also known as dental porcelain laminates and in most cases they prove to be very helpful in restoring a person’s smile. They are preferred over other choices because of their close resemblance with our natural teeth and also because this material resists staining and lasts for a long time. However, in some cases porcelain veneers might not be the best choice. Keep reading on to find out if you are a candidate for dental veneers.
Sometimes the dentist is required to break down some of the tooth structure to properly bond these thin shells of porcelain to the teeth. As such it is not possible to go back to the original structure and shape of teeth when this happens. Although veneers are supposed to be a long-lasting solution, if not properly cared for they might become chipped or faded. In cases where the teeth have been severely broken or injured, veneers do not prove to be effective. Orthodontic braces might be required to straighten the teeth if they are crooked or the person has improper bites.
Veneers are most commonly used to treat discolored teeth due to too much smoking or drinking tea or coffee. They are also used to fill wide gaps between teeth due to which some people feel embarrassed and become conscious of their smile. Another reason could be slightly chipped or short teeth, the length of which can be improved by using these dental veneers. All these treatments come under cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers in such cases are merely used for a smile makeover. However, for complex problems like broken or decayed teeth more advanced procedures like implants or crowns may be suggested.
Although porcelain veneers are strong and durable if properly bonded, they do require extra care. In addition to proper brushing and flossing, chewing and biting should also be controlled. Veneers can wear out because of severe biting or clenching of teeth. Furthermore, they can only be used to cover the front teeth. If the problem is related to your back teeth veneers might not be a good choice. For some people porcelain veneers can be an expensive option. Other choices like composite veneers are also available out there which are cheaper but not as reliable and long-lasting as porcelain veneers.
Dental veneers are used commonly in cosmetic dentistry for a complete smile makeover. However, in some cases they may not prove be the best choice available to a patient. Veneers can be used for problems like damaged or decayed teeth, severely stained or discolored teeth, gaps between teeth, or slightly crooked teeth. Cosmetic procedures are meant to improve the overall aesthetics of the mouth and provide very little functional advantage and therefore they cannot be employed for complex problems such as improper bites, missing teeth or severely damaged teeth.
