Whether you need to quickly improve a single tooth, or you need a complete smile makeover in little time, one or more porcelain veneers may be the answer to your dilemma. Veneers are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are hand-crafted to mimic the healthy appearance of natural teeth. When bonded to the fronts of your teeth, veneers can completely reinvent your smile’s overall appearance while helping you avoid the need for multiple procedures.
To help you decide if they are the right cosmetic option for you, we will more thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of porcelain veneers with you during your initial consultation.
Porcelain Veneers – Pros
- Porcelain veneers can cover a multitude of cosmetic concerns, from stubborn teeth stains to damaged tooth structure, and even slightly crooked teeth.
- Because of their ultra-thin design, veneers can be permanently bonded to your teeth with little or no alteration to your healthy tooth structure.
- The porcelain that veneers are made from is highly lifelike. It can be tinted to the specific color of your teeth, and is semi-translucent and layered to replicate the way tooth enamel reflects light.
- Porcelain veneers are also durable enough to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing for long-lasting results.
- Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, and will not become discolored from exposure to foods and beverages.
Porcelain Veneers – Cons
- Though preparing for veneers requires minimal tooth alteration, the procedure is still permanent, since the sculpted tooth enamel will not grow back.
- If your teeth are stained on their surfaces (extrinsic staining), then teeth whitening may be a preferable, and less permanent, solution.
- Porcelain veneers do not respond to teeth whitening. If your natural teeth become stained and need to be whitened, then your dentist may have to replace your veneers afterwards to match the new color and shade of your teeth.