Do you avoid smiling due to badly stained yellow teeth or because you’re a couple of your teeth are cracked? Hiding your smile is no way to live your life and a porcelain veneer may be what you need.
Porcelain veneers, also known as dental veneers, are thin, custom-made porcelain shells designed to look like a person’s natural teeth. It’s a very popular, and more importantly, a very successful cosmetic fix for teeth that may be damaged, discolored, or an odd shape.
You may be asking yourself—am I a candidate? Veneers are used to fix discolored, stained, chipped, or worn down teeth. They are also used to fix teeth that have an irregular shape or to fix wide gaps in between teeth. If you have any of these issues, you’re a candidate for porcelain veneers. However, like anything, it’s always best to talk to your dentist and get their medical opinion before making a concrete decision.
It’s also important to keep in mind before deciding on porcelain veneers that they are irreversible. Think of them like a tattoo. You’ll always have them. They are irreversible due to the reduction of the tooth enamel done during preparation. However, porcelain veneers are still an excellent option if you are unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.
So how do veneers work? Veneers take a little bit of preparation, as your doctor will have to remove a very thin (about half a millimeter) of enamel from your teeth in order for the veneers to fit. However, depending on the state of your teeth this prep work may be minimal—it varies from patient to patient.
Once this is done, your dentist will take molds of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory where your custom-made veneers will be made. This normally takes a week or two. When the veneers are complete and ready to be put on, your dentist will bond them to your teeth using a special form of cement and special light beam, meanwhile trimming and readjusting the veneer to make sure it’s a perfect fit.
If you’re interested in improving your smile, call 818.986.7531 for a free consultation with one of our dentists at Ron Nourian DDS. Located in Sherman Oaks, our staff is ready to assist you with questions or concerns you may have. Call today or contact us online.