Dental Porcelain Veneers.....
Dental veneers are custom-designed shells of tooth-like
ceramic material that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can
cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing and chips
or cracks. Dental veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry
because they create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned,
shapely teeth. Even better, the translucent ceramic quality of today's
veneers provides a more natural look than what’s been available
in the past.
Regardless of what causes unattractive teeth, dental veneers may
solve most or even all of your cosmetic dental issues, including:
Enhance the shape and shade of your teeth with custom-fitted veneers.
Worn enamel: Over time, the thin, hard white substance
covering your teeth (enamel) may become worn, dulled, and discolored.
Such wear and discoloration may be natural or the result of a genetic
predisposition; however, it is often a result of your habits (soft
drink, tea, or coffee consumption, smoking, medication use, etc.).
Wear and tear: Teeth naturally wear down as people
age. Aged teeth are more likely to have chips, cracks or a generally
uneven appearance.
Genetics: Certain people may be born with abnormal spacing between
the teeth that grows wider as they age.
Uneven teeth: Uneven teeth can result from tooth
grinding or general wear and tear.
Porcelain Veneers and Composite Resin Veneers
The two most common materials used in the manufacture of dental veneers
are porcelain and composite resin. Both porcelain veneers and composite
veneers can be fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory;
composite veneers can also be directly fabricated inside your mouth
at the dental office.
Dental veneers that are indirectly fabricated – fabricated
in a dental laboratory – are bonded to the teeth with various
types of resin cement. Of the two options, porcelain veneers are longer
lasting and more expensive.
When are Veneers Appropriate?
Bonding often serves as an inexpensive and effective restoration for
small chips and cracks in the teeth. Such minor problems may be functionally
and cosmetically repaired with a composite "white filling."
A composite resin material is bonded to the tooth in order to fill
in the chip or crack and better protect the surrounding tooth structure.
But for more severe cases of dullness, wear, discoloration, mild chipping,
cracking, spacing, or uneven teeth, dental veneers may be recommended
as a more appropriate solution.