If you have been researching ways to improve your smile, then you have no doubt come across the term “porcelain veneers.” With porcelain veneers, a host of dental issues can be eliminated – seemingly overnight. From his Bridgeport office, cosmetic dentist Phillip DeJesus and his team have helped many porcelain veneer candidates achieve a brighter and more flawless smile. But what exactly are porcelain veneers, and are they the right choice for you?
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are applied and permanently bonded to the front surfaces of a patient’s teeth. After removing a small layer of enamel from your teeth, your cosmetic dentist is then able to overlay individual veneers to visible teeth. Thanks to advances in the cosmetic dentistry profession, dentists are now able to produce custom veneers in different sizes and shapes to create a look that is tailored perfectly to the individual patient.
What Are Porcelain Veneers Used For?
Porcelain veneers have many uses, with the ability to instantly disguise a number of cosmetic dental flaws. A cosmetic dentist may recommend porcelain veneers to treat such issues as:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Uneven or misshaped teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth that cannot be helped by traditional whitening treatments
Because of their ability to quickly produce a uniform smile and eliminate the outward appearance of crooked teeth, many cosmetic dentists now refer to the practice of placing porcelain veneers as “instant orthodontics.”
But porcelain veneers are not able to correct every dental problem. Because porcelain veneers use a patient’s existing teeth as an anchor, they cannot replace teeth that have been critically damaged or lost. Evidence of tooth decay such as cavities must also be taken care of before veneers are placed, as decay problems can progress unchecked beneath a veneer.
Am I a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
If you are a healthy person with strong teeth and gums, and wish to correct cosmetic imperfections in your smile, then you are most likely a perfect candidate for porcelain veneers. But there are some things that your cosmetic dentist will take into consideration when making his assessment:
- Strong Enamel: Because most porcelain veneers require the removal of a layer of dental enamel prior to placement, strong teeth with a healthy level of enamel are necessary. If you have teeth with enamel that is fragile or worn thin, porcelain veneers could end up doing more harm than good.
- No Teeth Grinding or Other Bad Habits: Porcelain veneers are meant to last for years, but some bad habits can cut that lifespan dramatically. Ice chewing, nail biting, and bruxism (chronic tooth grinding) are all examples of habits that can cause significant damage to porcelain veneers.
- Sound Expectations: Porcelain veneers can do a lot, but they cannot work miracles. Patients expecting to fix critical flaws, such as missing teeth or a jaw-based orthodontic issue like an overbite or underbite, will be disappointed with the results. Because of this, open communication between dentists and patients about expectations is vitally important.
Learn More about Porcelain Veneers From Your Cosmetic Dentist
Within as little as a week, porcelain veneers can mask a variety of imperfections and dramatically improve many smiles. But porcelain veneers are not for everyone, and only a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentistry professional can help you make the best decision possible for your dental health. With high standards set by founder Phillip DeJesus, DDS, the team at DeJesus Dental Group has the education and experience needed to make that call.
If you believe that porcelain veneers could be the right call for you, don’t hesitate – schedule an appointment and learn more about what it takes to be a good dental veneer candidate today.