Are your teeth perfectly straight, nicely aligned, and the proper shape, size and colour? If you are like most of the population, the answer is probably not. Many people have at least a few imperfections, such as overcrowded, discoloured or chipped teeth or unsightly gaps between them. These days there is a range of cosmetic dentistry treatments that can improve the appearance of teeth, and one popular procedure is porcelain veneers.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers in Oshawa consist of a very thin shell of porcelain material, custom-made to fit over the front surface of a natural tooth.
How Could Veneers Improve My Smile?
You might want to consider this treatment if you have discoloured teeth, especially where the stains are internal, so they are less likely to respond to teeth whitening treatments in Whitby. This can happen when teeth are stained due to fluorosis, a condition caused by exposure to excess fluoride during childhood, or tetracycline, an antibiotic that can cause teeth to look grey.
Porcelain veneers are also great for repairing small chips and cracks in teeth, hiding teeth that are too small or oddly shaped or worn down. If you have unsightly spaces between your teeth, porcelain veneers can minimize or even close these gaps entirely.
Sometimes, porcelain veneers can be an alternative to Invisalign treatment in Ajax, as they can straighten the appearance of only slightly misaligned teeth. However, if you have crooked teeth that are otherwise nicely shaped, Invisalign might be the better solution.
What Is the Process for Having Porcelain Veneers?
If you are interested in porcelain veneers, it’s best to book a consultation with one of our experienced dentists at Margolian Dentistry. We can assess the condition of your teeth and your smile and listen to your concerns and desires for treatment. Based on your goals, we can create a suitable treatment plan, and if multiple veneers are needed, we may suggest using digital smile design. Digital smile design uses photographs taken inside and outside your mouth and 3-D digital models to design your new veneers. It produces virtual images of how your smile will look once treatment is complete, and it’s an excellent way to become more involved with the treatment process and be confident it will produce an optimal outcome. When you are happy with the design, we can create your new veneers.
Usually, it’s necessary to prepare the tooth beforehand by removing a small amount of tooth enamel, which ensures the veneer will not feel or look too big, bulky, and unnatural. The veneer is very thin, typically 0.5 mm in thickness, so only a tiny amount of tooth structure needs to be removed. However, this does mean treatment is irreversible.
The final step is to fit your new veneers and make sure they look good in your mouth. Once we have checked the fit is perfect, the veneer is permanently bonded onto the tooth surface.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
Looking after your new porcelain veneers is easy. They don’t need any special care but properly looking after them will make sure they last longer and continue to look good. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and durable, but it’s still important to make sure you brush them at least twice a day and that you floss around them once a day exactly as you do for the rest of your teeth. Regular dental checkups and professional dental cleanings are crucial for maintaining your veneers properly. It’s also important to make sure you don’t use your porcelain veneers for biting down on very hard substances or as tools, as while they are strong, they need to be treated as carefully as your natural teeth.