Dental | Dental Articles

What comes to mind when you think of porcelain veneers? Chipped teeth? Cracked teeth? Nothing? If you’d like to know what porcelain veneers are, read on, because chipped or cracked teeth are only two of many problems that are being corrected with these overlays.

One reason is because they offer more services than standard dental care. Porcelain veneers are just one of these options and one that can be used to treat a number of different flaws.

• Crooked or uneven teeth.
• Chipped teeth.
• Severe discolorations.
• Tiny teeth that you wish were larger.
• Small holes in your teeth.
• Gaps between your teeth.
• Teeth that are too close together.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of molded porcelain that are customized to fit over your teeth. They can be formed to cover and secure cracks and chips, or to fill a gap between your teeth, or to repair any of the problems in the list above.

Discolored or naturally dark teeth can be whitened, but there are limits to how many shades lighter they can be taken. Whitening can remove most stains, but some stains, like those caused by having taken tetracycline, may prove too stubborn, and not give satisfactory results. Porcelain veneers are an ideal alternative, giving you the option to choose the shade you want your teeth to be.

Porcelain veneers can be used to give crooked teeth the appearance of being straight, and can enhance the size of small teeth. One major advantage of porcelain veneers is to reshape a chipped tooth, preventing your bite from becoming misaligned. A misaligned bite can lead to other, more serious problems, like temperomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).

Porcelain veneers are made of a translucent glass-like material that has a similar appearance to natural teeth. This material neither decays nor stains, so your teeth will maintain their lustrous bright color and health for many years. While most estimates say porcelain veneers should last ten to fifteen years, others project as long as 20 years.

About the Author:
If you think you might be a candidate for porcelain veneers, please visit the website of Aesthetic Dentistry of Bernardsville in the Newark New Jersey area and schedule a complimentary consultation with either Dr. Patti Swaintek-Lamb or Dr. Cheryl Tauriello.