Dental veneers are available via bonding with composite resin, or a more permanent solution utilizing porcelain tooth colored shells that are cemented to the front of teeth requiring repair.
Porcelain makes an ideal material for veneers for several reasons:
- Stain resistant – Porcelain is resilient to most food and beverages, but there are some consumables such as coffee, wine, tea, berries, etc. that contain powerful agents that discolor teeth. Your awareness to this possibility will be one of the cautions issued by your cosmetic dentist.
- Provides added strength to treated teeth – Veneers are placed on teeth that are stained, chipped, misshapen, worn down, and even to close unwanted gaps between teeth. When teeth are fortified with veneers, they have an added layer of strong material permanently cemented on to teeth that may have been previously weakened by wear & tear, medications, chips or poor shape.
- Aesthetics – Porcelain can be molded to provide the most natural appearance by matching the size, shape and color of surrounding teeth.
- Adaptability – Porcelain is well tolerated by gum tissue.
Just as porcelain resists stains, once veneers are placed they are not affected by teeth whitening, so if whiter teeth are desired the patient should undergo the whitening process at least a couple of weeks before initiating the veneer process. Many teeth whitening products do not reveal their final result immediately, so the wait time is advised to obtain the closest match.
Just as porcelain resists stains, once veneers are placed they are not affected by teeth whitening…
Your cosmetic dentist is trained to provide the most lifelike result, and will be able to make any needed adjustments on the day your veneers are delivered.
The teeth to be treated will have been thoroughly cleaned and enamel removed at the first prep appointment. Today the teeth will be etched with a special material to aid in holding the covers in place and a curing light or laser is used as an additional step to harden the cement.
Porcelain veneers are not invincible. Biting hard objects, chewing fingernails or using treated teeth to open packages can break or dislodge a veneer.
Doing so will require replacement, which can be costly and time consuming.
A little caution is the only special care needed for your new smile. Daily brushing and flossing along with keeping your scheduled hygiene and exam appointments will keep your veneers, teeth, and gum tissue healthy and bright. Contact our skilled and experienced team at 817-465-0355 to schedule an appointment for porcelain veneers today.
