Veneers are a minimally invasive, extremely versatile cosmetic treatment used to correct or disguise a wide range of problems with your smile. Because they are made of porcelain, they are both durable and very natural looking.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are a thin shell, usually made of porcelain, that are custom-made and carefully color matched to your natural teeth. They are affixed to the tooth surface with a powerful adhesive. Although the porcelain itself is very thin and delicate, once the veneer is secured to the tooth, it becomes strong and durable. Veneers are used to correct a wide range of cosmetic problems with the teeth, including:
- Severe discoloration
- Surface damage such as pitting or cracks
- Small gaps between the teeth
- Slight misalignment
Your dentist can determine if misalignment or gaps require more extensive treatment. If they are minor, veneers can disguise them. More severe problems with alignment might need to be permanently corrected in order to prevent long-term damage or other problems.
What are the Advantages of Porcelain?
Porcelain is an idea material for dental veneers because it is semi-translucent. This means that light can pass partially through it, reflecting back from the more opaque materials beneath it. This is very similar to the way tooth enamel reflects light; light can pass through the enamel, reflecting from the opaque dentin beneath. Porcelain mimics this, creating a realistic luster to your teeth.
Porcelain can also be exactly color-matched to your teeth so your treated tooth won’t look out of place. The durability of porcelain means your veneers will last for many years, although you should be careful to take good care of them. This includes regular brushing and flossing to keep your teeth healthy and regular visits to the dentist to be sure no decay is developing around or under the veneers. You should also avoid biting on hard objects, which can chip the edges of your veneers, and be sure to tell your dental hygienist that you have veneers to avoid use of overly abrasive cleaning agents.
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