Considering updating your smile with porcelain veneers but wary because of things you’ve heard? Let us tell you that contemporary porcelain veneers may exceed your expectations! Read on as we debunk some common myths.
Porcelain veneers are thin coats of ceramic material attached directly to someone’s teeth for a variety of aesthetic reasons. They can be used to alter the shape or hue of any tooth from yellowish-brown or even dark brown to white.
The method is easy: A dentist will first ready the tooth surface by eliminating decay with an acid-etching solution. After that, the dentist applies a special bonding agent that becomes a protective coating around the enamel.
Porcelain veneers have been utilized since the 1900s by dentists to conceal discoloration from coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine and more. Because of their capability to improve smiles while keeping natural tooth structure unchanged, porcelain veneers have become more acclaimed than ever. Dental veneers are a great solution for various aesthetic issues, including:
All these issues can be corrected with veneers. However, there are many misconceptions about them.
Myth #1: Veneers look unnatural. A porcelain veneer may be depicted this way in humorous movies or sitcoms, but it is far from the truth now that porcelain veneers are one of the most natural-looking dental fixtures available. Plus, modern-day veneers have a translucent factor that makes them appear more similar to real teeth, which makes this common misconception false.
Porcelain veneers have been used for more than a century, so it’s understandable that people might have outdated thoughts about them. Current-day veneers can be matched to your grin to seem natural, and since they are made of porcelain, they look nearly indistinguishable from your tooth enamel. In fact, if you take a more detailed glance at up-to-date veneers, you will see that they resemble real teeth more than any other type of restoration.
Biting down with them does not produce an unusual sensation either, and they won’t chip or break as easily as traditional crowns do.
Myth #2: Veneers are exclusively for celebrities. Wrong! Veneers are accessible to all. That said, it may not be an option right away for some people due to oral health issues such as cavities, enamel depletion and gum disease that could prevent you from getting veneers until your dental and oral hygiene have improved.
This same rule should apply to all forms of cosmetic dentistry – a beautiful smile is nice, but a healthy smile is best.
Myth #3: Porcelain veneers discolor. Unlike tooth enamel, porcelain veneers are not absorbent and do not take on stains from red wine, coffee, tea or other food and drinks. They will not darken like tooth enamel does. This is just one of the reasons why porcelain veneers are so popular among people who seek to whiten their smiles.
Porcelain veneers not only resist stains, but are also highly durable.
Myth #4: Veneers are destructive. If you have any misgivings about porcelain veneers since you’re scared your teeth will be stripped down to nothing for the restoration, don’t be alarmed. Due to breakthroughs in dentistry and porcelain veneers, your teeth are merely filed slightly (roughly 1 millimeter of enamel) so that your veneer can bind more effectively to your tooth and give a natural look when seen as a whole. Consequently, the original tooth structure is largely kept intact.
Myth #5: Veneers are restricted to front teeth only. This misconception is rampant. Though it is true that veneers are more often seen on the front teeth, they can actually be used for other teeth as well. Veneers can be placed elsewhere to solve non-cosmetic issues such as a chipped or broken tooth, an unevenly colored tooth, minor gaps and misalignments.
Myth #6: Veneers will weaken your teeth. It is not true that porcelain veneers can cause your teeth to become weaker. Although a small area of your natural tooth structure needs to be removed in order to attach the veneer, the veneer applied on top of your natural tooth can make them much stronger. Installing veneers gives your teeth the ability to withstand regular chewing pressure without being damaged.
Additionally, porcelain does not wear down over time, meaning that with proper maintenance, your veneers could last you a lifetime!
Would you like to learn more about how dental veneers could enhance your smile? Are you curious about our other cosmetic treatments? Breathe would love to help! Give us a call to arrange a consultation.