Porcelain Veneers for Natural Looking Teeth

A beautiful smile is often the first thing you notice when you meet someone. It is no wonder then that cosmetic dentistry is growing in popularity. With new and improved technologies, fixing your smile has become easier and less expensive than every before.

What are porcelain veneers?

They are thin shell-like coatings of teeth-coloured porcelain which are bonded to the front of your teeth for improved appearance or to protect the teeth from further damage.

First, the teeth to be fixed are prepared by removing small amounts of enamel from them. Then your dentist will make impressions of the teeth and your mouth for preparing the veneers, which might take a couple of weeks. In some cases, temporary veneers are placed for this short duration.

At the next visit, the permanent veneer is placed and adjusted to ensure a correct fit, including evaluations of bite, colour and position. Using dental cement, the veneer is bonded on to the teeth, and hardened using a light beam.

When can veneers be used?

Veneers are commonly used in several situations:

• To fix a broken or chipped tooth

• To fill gaps between teeth

• To cover discoloured or worn down teeth

• To fix misaligned, misshapen or uneven teeth

What are the benefits?

Porcelain veneers are considered as an intermediate choice between cosmetic bonding and dental crowns.

They are stain-resistant and usually last for up to ten years. They look and reflect light just like natural teeth and do not require as much shaping and removal of the original tooth as crowns do.

Who cannot use them?

People prone to cavities or gum diseases or those who have weakened or unhealthy teeth are not good candidates for veneers. Veneers do not offer protection from damage or cover a tooth fully as do crowns.

Grinding or clenching your teeth, biting your nails etc. might chip or dislodge the porcelain, so people with these habits are better off with other treatment options.

Veneers are contraindicated in younger people who have healthy teeth as they require removing some of the existing enamel. Individuals who do not have sufficient enamel on their teeth may also be advised to avoid veneers, as they might cause increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods.In most cases, though, with porcelain veneers, Townsville residents will be wearing smiles that will sparkle withwhite, unstained teeth.

To discuss which cosmetic dental procedure is right for you, call us at the Townsville Dental Centre on …. to arrange an appointment.