When you flash a smile in the mirror, you may feel embarrassed about tooth imperfections such as gaps, cracks or chips. Despite having a healthy mouth, these cosmetic flaws stop you from showing your teeth at social events or in your workplace. Dr. Ashwini Bhave wants you to enjoy pearly whites you’re proud to show off to friends, family and coworkers, and porcelain veneers are a popular way to achieve this.
Porcelain veneers are thin facings or shells bonded to the front portion of one or more teeth to conceal tooth flaws. They are made with high-quality porcelain at a dental lab and match the shade and shape of your adjacent teeth for a natural appearance. The porcelain material is durable and looks like your given teeth by mimicking the shine of your natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers can address many tooth concerns, including:
1. Tooth Stains and Deep Discoloration
Teeth whitening treatments can brighten your smile by several shades, but there are limits. Some tooth stains don’t respond to whitening agents, such as intrinsic discoloration. Intrinsic stains develop on the inner layer of your tooth under the enamel, called dentin, which is a darker color than your enamel. These stains are more challenging to treat. The discoloration may happen due to tooth enamel wearing away or certain medications used in childhood, such as tetracycline and doxycycline. Porcelain veneers cover the deep tooth discoloration that teeth whitening can’t address.
2. Tooth Chips and Cracks
Your teeth may chip or crack after a mouth injury while playing sports, due to a car accident or as a result of biting something hard. Porcelain veneers cover the front of the tooth and mask these flaws.
3. Worn-Down Teeth
A misaligned bite and bruxism (grinding or clenching the teeth) can cause your teeth to wear down prematurely and affect the structure of your mouth. Porcelain veneers protect your teeth and provide a proper bite. However, teeth grinding and clenching can also damage the dental veneers over time, and it’s critical to break this habit to enjoy your porcelain veneers long term. A custom mouthguard and better bite alignment can reduce the damage caused by bruxism.
4. Overcrowded or Crooked Teeth
Porcelain veneers can address minor overcrowding if you have a good bite, and the thin facings hide crooked teeth but don’t straighten them. You can avoid lengthy orthodontic treatment for minimal overcrowding with porcelain veneers. However, braces may be necessary for a misaligned bite. We offer Invisalign clear braces so you can straighten your smile without unsightly metal brackets and wires.
5. Tooth Gaps
Some people develop gaps between their teeth. Typically, these spaces are fixed through orthodontics such as Invisalign, but porcelain veneers can camouflage small gaps without the time and money involved in braces.
6. A Gummy Smile
Some people struggle with excess gum tissue that makes their teeth look short and takes over their smile. Porcelain veneers lengthen the teeth for a more balanced appearance.
7. Misshapen Teeth
An asymmetrical smile can be frustrating when you take good care of your oral health but still have longer or oddly shaped teeth that don’t blend with the surrounding teeth. Porcelain veneers are created to a precise size and shape to create an even smile.
8. Worn Tooth Enamel
When your tooth enamel wears away, you can experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and may be more prone to cavities. The worn enamel reveals the underlying dentin, causing tooth discoloration. Porcelain veneers provide a protective layer to reduce sensitivity.
If you are interested in porcelain veneers, schedule your appointment at Bay Area Dental Specialists in San Jose today.