Although we hate to admit it, first impressions make a difference. Whether you are on a first date or a job interview, a beautiful smile conveys honesty, trustworthiness, and confidence. Unfortunately, many people’s teeth do not look as good as they could. If you have yellowed, stained, crooked, or worn down teeth, porcelain veneers might be the best solution. Here’s how veneers can improve your smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin shells of top-quality dental porcelain that slip over your teeth. We can color match them to your natural teeth. Durable, strong, and chemically bonded to your teeth, porcelain veneers can last for years with proper care.
What Conditions Can Veneers Fix?
Porcelain teeth are a cosmetic treatment, so we must fix any existing oral health problems such as tooth decay or gum disease before placing them. If your teeth are healthy but do not look their best, though, porcelain veneers can correct a wide variety of issues, such as:
Wear and tear: All teeth wear down over time. If you chew on ice or pens, or use your teeth as a tool, they can wear down faster than normal.
Minor breakage: Light trauma such as a fall or a sports injury can case teeth to chip or crack. Major damage must be repaired, but porcelain veneers can hide minor breakage.
Discoloration: Excessive fluoride, certain medications, large fillings, and root canals can cause deep staining or discoloration that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening. Porcelain veneers are an excellent solution to this common problem.
Misshapen or uneven teeth: Almost no one has truly perfect teeth. Porcelain veneers can correct the appearance of teeth that are uneven or misshapen.
Minor gaps or crookedness: Major misalignment needs orthodontic treatment, but porcelain veneers can hide minor crookedness and small gaps.
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
Few dental restorations last forever, but porcelain veneers are among the longest-lasting options. They can easily withstand the forces of biting and chewing, and they can last for over a decade with proper care.
Porcelain veneers are also resistant to staining. While teeth whitening must be repeated regularly, porcelain veneers will remain bright and healthy-looking with excellent oral hygiene.
Do Porcelain Veneers Look Natural?
Although some people worry that porcelain veneers will create an overly-white “game show host” look, veneers actually look highly natural. We will color-match them to the adjacent teeth, and the dental porcelain mimics the translucency and sheen of natural teeth.
If you prefer a whiter smile, we can whiten your teeth first and then match your veneers to your brighter shade. Just keep in mind that you must whiten regularly to maintain the match.
Ready to Get Started?
Now in our second generation of family ownership, McDonald Family Dentistry provides a full line of general, restorative, pediatric, and cosmetic dental services. Contact us today at 408-779-9335 to schedule your first appointment.