Proverbial David Daniels Talk

Perfect Teeth With Porcelain Veneers

By Andrew Stratton

Want a perfect smile without braces or tooth whitening? It sounds like a dream but with porcelain veneers it can be a reality. Porcelain veneers are a thin layer of material cemented to the front of a tooth to correct problems such as a crooked tooth, stained tooth, chipped tooth or even to fill in gaps between teeth.

There are two types of dental veneers. The first is a direct composite. This is done by placing a thin layer of composite material (the tooth colored material dentists use for fillings) directly on the tooth and curing it.

This can be a good option but the results are very dependent on the skills of the dentist. He/she has to be able to choose the color perfectly to match the teeth surrounding it and also mold the material so it looks just right, which can be difficult. Also, the composite material over time is susceptible to staining, which would require the procedure to be redone.

The second type is an indirect or porcelain option. This type of is made by taking an impression of the teeth and sending it to a dental technician who then makes the veneer out of porcelain to match them perfectly. It is then cemented to the natural tooth, covering any defects it may have. A pleasing aesthetic result is easier obtained through this method. This type is also more durable than the composite option and less likely to stain.

Veneers can also close gaps in teeth that orthodontics can’t fix. Sometimes the shape of a tooth will prevent orthodontics from contacting the teeth next to it, giving it an unpleasing appearance. This technique will reshape the tooth and close the gaps.

Generally veneers require very little anesthetic, or even none at all, so you don’t have to deal with the needle injections in your mouth very much. They are done with very little drilling. Normally only about half a millimeter of tooth structure is removed.

In fact they can even be placed without drilling at all. They are put right over the teeth without any preparation. This is an advantage because it is less time consuming and less invasive. There are however, limits to the uses of these types of treatments that should be discussed with your dentist.

They can be used to resurface teeth and make them appear straighter. Veneers are also a long-lasting cosmetic dental treatment. When properly placed and cared for, they can last up to 30 years. As with everything, there are also drawbacks that need to be taken into account. For one thing, this treatment is not cheap. Depending on the dentist, it can cost 1000 dollars per tooth. It can also be difficult to match to the color of surrounding teeth.