An Introduction to Porcelain Veneers
One of the most effective ways to create a beautiful smile is by covering teeth with porcelain veneers. These ultra-thin porcelain shells are custom-fit to go right over the top of your natural teeth. Dr. Cutbirth is able to use veneers for teeth to completely change the shape of your smile, or the color and length of your teeth, in only two short visits to the office.
Watch this educational video on veneer preparation:
Porcelain veneers are highly versatile and can address a wide range of aesthetic concerns, including tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps, and misalignment. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful smile you can have with porcelain veneers!
Why Porcelain Veneers Are So Popular
Waco, TX, dental veneers dentist, Dr. Cutbirth, utilizes a new form of biomaterial that allows him to give you an entirely new smile without the need for a more extensive procedure. Using porcelain veneers, Dr. Cutbirth can repair chipped teeth or damaged teeth, strengthen weakened teeth, or even whiten stained or discolored teeth.
Just imagine a smile without yellow enamel or gaps between teeth!
Just as importantly, Dr. Cutbirth’s porcelain veneers for teeth can return your teeth to their original structural integrity. These ultra-thin dental veneers are created to fit snugly over your natural teeth. If you choose tooth veneers for a single tooth, Dr. Cutbirth can match the color of your natural teeth so closely that no one will ever know you’re wearing a dental veneer.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
Natural-looking appearance | One of the key benefits of porcelain veneers is their natural-looking appearance. The dental porcelain used in veneers closely resembles the translucent quality of natural tooth enamel. This allows the veneers to blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth, creating a beautiful and harmonious smile. The shade, shape, and size of the veneers can be customized to achieve the desired results, ensuring a personalized and natural-looking outcome.
Stain-resistant material | Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, making them a durable and long-lasting solution for enhancing the smile. Unlike natural tooth enamel, porcelain does not easily absorb stains from food, beverages, or smoking. This makes veneers an ideal choice for individuals with stubborn tooth discoloration that cannot be effectively treated with traditional whitening methods.
Simple procedure | Another advantage of porcelain veneers is their conservative nature. The process of placing veneers involves minimal tooth preparation compared to other restorative options like dental crowns. Dr. Cutbirth will remove a small amount of enamel from the front surface of the teeth to accommodate the thickness of the veneers. This ensures a secure bond and helps maintain the natural structure of the teeth.
Long-lasting restoration | With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers can last for many years. It is important to practice good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, to ensure the longevity of the veneers. Avoiding habits like biting on hard objects or using the teeth as tools can also help prevent damage to the veneers.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
Anyone with teeth that need significant work to correct shape, contour, or color could be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Dr. Cutbirth uses dental veneers to repair existing teeth, reduce the space between teeth, and create a totally natural end result. Your teeth can also be shortened or lengthened using porcelain veneers.
A permanent veneer is actually a tiny piece of porcelain that is “bonded” onto your natural teeth. The veneer works to strengthen the existing tooth. Once a permanent veneer is applied, it looks and feels exactly like your natural teeth.
It’s important to note that while porcelain veneers can greatly enhance the appearance of the smile, they are primarily a cosmetic solution and may not be suitable for individuals with significant dental issues such as severe tooth decay or gum disease. A thorough examination by a qualified dentist like Dr. Cutbirth is necessary to determine the best treatment options for each individual.
Whether you choose to have Dr. Cutbirth use porcelain veneers on a single tooth, a few select teeth, or your entire smile, you’ll be astounded at the beautiful, natural-looking results!
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers
Another option is veneers made of composite resin material. The biggest advantage of composite resin veneers is that they can be applied in a single appointment in our office. Dr. Cutbirth will create the veneer directly over your existing tooth. After that, the resin veneer material is smoothed and polished so that it looks exactly like your other natural teeth.
Although composite resin veneers are quicker to apply, one disadvantage is that this type of veneer is not as strong as a porcelain veneer. A composite resin veneer is more likely to crack than one made of porcelain, although a fractured composite veneer can be easily repaired.
Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers may yellow or darken over time. Although stained veneers can be easily replaced, it is another disadvantage when compared to the porcelain type of tooth veneers. If you’re unsure which type of veneer is right for you, talk to Steven Cutbirth, DDS, for more information.
Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers
It takes longer to apply porcelain veneers than it does with the composite type. Two office visits are required:
- One to have your natural teeth prepared and have an impression made
- A second trip to have the finished veneers applied over your natural teeth
In between those two appointments, you’ll be fitted with temporary veneers made of plastic.
These temporary veneers serve two purposes:
- They protect your natural teeth until the porcelain veneers can be applied, and
- They can serve as trial veneers so you can see how they feel and look and determine if you’d like any changes made to your porcelain veneers based on the temporary ones.
Porcelain veneers are quite thin, but they are much stronger than composite veneers. If a porcelain veneer does fracture, it’s more challenging to repair and may require a new veneer to be made.
Generally speaking, porcelain veneers offer several advantages over composite dental veneers.
Get a Beautiful Smile with Veneers!
Dental veneers must be treated periodically, which will require regular visits to Waco veneers dentist, Steven Cutbirth, DDS. However, your beautiful smile will be well worth it! Call our Waco dental office now!
