Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are permanently attached to the front of your natural teeth by a cosmetic dentist to improve your smile. They can change the look of your teeth dramatically when it comes to shape, texture, and color 1. Porcelain veneers are ideal for people with minor esthetic complaints about their teeth. You may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers if you have severe staining that won’t respond to whitening products, minor chipping, cracking, or misalignment, spacing issues, overall healthy teeth, and plenty of enamel 2.
The procedure for getting porcelain veneers is quick and easy. It typically only takes two visits. Your teeth need to be reduced or reshaped before placing veneers. Your dentist will remove some enamel from the front and sides of your teeth to make room for the veneer. Your dentist then makes an impression, or mold, of your teeth. The dental lab will later use this impression to model your custom veneers. You and your dentist will decide on a veneer shade that best matches your smile so that the veneer looks natural. Your dentist will send the tooth impression to a dental lab that custom-makes the porcelain veneers. This step can take several weeks, so your dentist will cover the teeth with temporary veneers to wear in the meantime. At your second visit, your dentist will remove the temporary veneers and place the permanent veneers on your teeth. They’ll check the fit and confirm that you’re satisfied with how it looks and feels. If you’re satisfied with how the veneers turned out, your dentist will permanently bond them to your teeth. They will clean and prepare your teeth before bonding the veneers to them 2.
Porcelain veneers can have life-changing results for people who are dissatisfied or self-conscious about their smile 1. They can be applied to just one tooth or multiple teeth. While veneers can be customized to help them look natural in the context of surrounding teeth, it’s important to realize the limitation of just a couple of veneers vs. a smile makeover of 10 to 20 veneers. For patients who are completing a smile makeover with veneers, dentists like to take into account the entire smile, including the whole face, for the best aesthetic result. This gives the smile a symmetrical, natural look that’s personalized for that specific patient 1.
In conclusion, porcelain veneers are a great option for people who want to improve their smile. They are quick and easy to install, and they can have life-changing results. If you are interested in porcelain veneers, consult with your dentist to see if they are right for you.