3D image of a porcelain veneer
Do you have a friend or family member who has transformed their smile with porcelain veneers? If so, you can attest to the dramatic change in their appearance, as well as in how they carry themselves. If witnessing someone else’s success with veneers makes you think about the imperfections in your own smile, you’re likely to be curious about the procedure! But even if you’ve always been bothered by your teeth, you’d probably prefer to correct them without extensive dental work. If so, you’ll be glad to know that porcelain veneers are minimally invasive. But how do they work and what are the benefits? A downtown Boston dentist explains this modern cosmetic option that can give you big results without a lot of hassle.
What Kind of Problems Can Be Fixed With Veneers?
First, you’re probably wondering if you’re a good candidate for veneers. While scheduling a consultation with your cosmetic dentist in the financial district is the best way to determine that, generally porcelain veneers are an excellent option for any of the following flaws:
- Chips or fractures.
- Stained or yellow teeth that don’t whiten easily with traditional whitening treatments.
- Abnormally small or misshapen teeth.
- Gaps
How Do Porcelain Veneers Work?
Veneers are extremely thin, strong “shells” that are permanently adhered to the front of your teeth. They’re custom-made to match the shape and color of your existing teeth, so no one will know that they aren’t real.
A good analogy is thinking about veneers like the siding on a house. The underlying structure is left intact, but an attractive, long-lasting material is used to cover that structure and give it a more desirable appearance.
One of the biggest advantages of porcelain veneers is that they only require a very small amount of enamel be removed – even less than with traditional veneers.
What Kind of Maintenance Is Required?
Once you’ve invested in yourself with porcelain veneers, one of the best ways to extend the life of your new smile is to avoid biting anything particularly hard or tough. Ice, hard candies, and opening cans of soda with your teeth are all off limits.
In addition, a night guard may be recommended to protect your new dental work from the heavy force that can be exerted from clenching and grinding at nighttime.
In terms of at-home hygiene, porcelain veneers require much the same maintenance as your normal teeth. That means brushing at least twice per day and flossing once.
Finally, regular checkups and cleanings are particularly important so that your dentist can catch potential problems early and also professionally polish your veneers every six months.
About the Author
Each of the five dentists at Devonshire Dental is committed to providing the absolute best dental care possible to their community. Covering general, cosmetic and other specialty fields of dentistry, they are able to take care of all of their patient’s dental needs under one roof. If you have additional questions about veneers, they can be reached through their website, or at (617) 350-7474.