What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers maple grove mn are an effective way of dramatically and immediately improving your smile. Often referred to as “instant orthodontics,” porcelain veneers are very thin, custom made molds designed to fit your specific mouth and brighten your smile. Veneers are used to address a range of common dental issues, such as discolored or stained teeth, unsightly chips, or misshapen, improperly sized, or crooked teeth.

Some patients will choose to have dental bonding performed instead of veneers. Both procedures are similar, however there are benefits and drawbacks to each. The benefits of having dental bonding is that it is less expensive, less invasive, and quicker than porcelain veneers. The drawback is that dental bonding is not as aesthetic, not as strong as porcelain veneers, requires more maintenance, and will need to be replaced or touched up with greater frequency. While porcelain veneers are costlier and take longer to complete do, they do have greater longevity and look more like natural teeth.

The Porcelain Veneers Process

The porcelain veneers process begins with an initial consultation, which will include your dentist taking an impression and wax-up of your teeth so they can begin the customization process. Following this, you will return in so your dentist can prepare your teeth for the veneers. This is done through the removal of a small piece of enamel, which is where the thin porcelain piece will be placed. As soon as the tooth or teeth have been prepped, your dentist will make a custom impression, which will be customized to perfectly fit your unique mouth.

At your next and final appointment, your dentist will ensured that the porcelain veneers fit properly, clean and polish your teeth, and then bond and cure your porcelain veneer to your existing teeth.

What are the Advantages of Porcelain Veneers?

After aesthetics, durability is arguably the biggest advantage to having porcelain veneers placed instead of composite veneers. Porcelain is much stronger than the resin used for composite veneers, and if properly cared for, can last more than ten, compared to composite veneers which generally need to be replaced every two to five years. In this regard, you may be paying more for porcelain veneers, but they will also last you twice as long.

In addition to their longevity, many people prefer the natural appearance of porcelain to composite veneers. Porcelain veneers are also much more stain and chip resistant, unlike composite veneers, which are more porous and susceptible to staining or chipping.

Finally, porcelain veneers have a distinct advantage to composite veneers in that they are the only viable treatment for certain dental issues, such as uneven teeth, genetic defects, worn enamel, etc. Your dentist will perform a thorough examination to determine if both options are available to you, or if porcelain veneers are your best/only option.

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers : Differences between Composite and Porcelain Veneers