Porcelain veneers are one of the most versatile, and consequently most popular, cosmetic dental procedures. Dentists replace discolored or worn tooth enamel with a new glossy covering to give you a bright and natural-looking smile.
What Are They?
Porcelain veneers are small, customized shell casings that replace the natural enamel on your teeth. Dental labs customize these shells out of porcelain to match the shade of your adjacent teeth. Dental porcelain has translucent properties similar to natural tooth enamel. This creates a wafer-thin shell that bonds to the front of the tooth. A dentist can create veneers to change your entire smile by altering the color, length, shape, or size of your teeth.
What Can They Fix?
Dentists use porcelain to replace the enamel on discolored teeth with your naturally brightest color. Dentists also use veneers to repair chipped teeth or fill gaps between teeth. You can have a dental veneer placed on one tooth or your entire set of teeth.
How Long Does It Take?
The entire procedure takes about two weeks. On your first visit, your cosmetic dentist will study your teeth and discuss the options with you. If you decide to get porcelain veneers, the dentist will remove the tooth enamel on the teeth that will receive the treatment. Some dentists remove the enamel on a second visit, while some do it immediately following the consultation.
After removing the tooth enamel, your dentist will make impressions so that the dental lab can create a perfect fit. It takes one to two weeks for a dental lab to create a set of dental veneers customized to your dentist’s specifications. Finally, you will return to the dentist office to have your new veneers permanently bonded to your teeth.
Conclusion
The porcelain used in dental veneers has similar light-reflective properties to the natural enamel on your teeth. New porcelain veneers can give you a bright smile that looks completely natural.
