The Multiple Uses Of Porcelain Veneers
This popular cosmetic dental treatment offers solutions to a number of issues.
Initially created for Hollywood film stars in the 1940s and 50s to disguise heavily stained smoker’s teeth during close up shots, veneers have since become widely used by cosmetic dentists for many years now. Over time, they have become more refined and not only look great but also help to protect the teeth in some situations.
While veneers can be made from composite materials, these tend not to be so long lasting and are also more prone to staining. Long term veneers are best made from porcelain, a very strong and highly stain resistant material.
In today’s blog, our dentists take a look at the various uses of porcelain veneers and explain why you should have these fitted at a reputable UK dentist like the Cygnet Dental Practice rather than travel abroad for them.
Whiter teeth
The best known use for veneers is when people want to have whiter teeth. The most popular method to do so is still the teeth whitening procedure, however this has its limitations and people with badly stained teeth may achieve only limited success from this treatment. In this situation veneers are an excellent alternative option and can be fitted to the front of the teeth to replace the discoloured tooth surface. The veneers are shaped and polished to provide a natural and attractive appearance.
Similarly, anyone having a teeth whitening procedure who also has cracked or chipped teeth, may find that these flaws are even more visible than before. This is another reason for using veneers as they will provide you with a perfect smile without these chips and cracks.
Damaged tooth enamel
While chips and cracks are quite common problems with tooth enamel and can be rectified with veneers, this is not the only type of damage that they can be used to restore. An increasingly acidic diet in the UK and the western world in general, has meant that we see more cases than before of enamel erosion at our Wickford dentist. This creates a problem of not only making tooth staining more likely due to the rougher surface but also increases the risks of tooth decay and also sensitive teeth which can be very painful indeed.
By attaching porcelain veneers to the teeth, this will protect the internal part of the tooth and help to prevent sensitivity, tooth decay and also potentially, root canal infections.
Diastema and other minor corrections
While our Wickford patients might be aware of the use of veneers for the above purposes, they may be surprised to know that they can also be used for some minor orthodontic corrections. A good example of this is to close a gap between the front teeth, otherwise known as a ‘diastema’. Although some people find this an attractive look, it can cause problems. The most obvious of these is that it may encourage other teeth to become crooked but it can also create issues with speech and also confidence in some cases.
Similarly, veneers can also be used to standardise the height of teeth when the patient has some teeth that are smaller than others. This is an effective way of producing an attractive smile.
‘Cheap’ dental veneers
It is true that porcelain veneers are more expensive than a teeth whitening procedure although the results are also more permanent. This additional cost might persuade some people to travel abroad for the ‘cheaper veneers’ that are sometimes offered. We don’t recommend this for a number of reasons. There have been cases where teeth have been badly damaged. In some cases, the patient believed that they were having a small layer removed from the surface of their teeth for the veneers to be fitted, a common occurrence, but instead, had their teeth much more significantly prepared and had crowns fitted instead.
It is important to remember that your teeth are important and you should treat them as such. If you have this, or any other procedure at the Cygnet Dental Practice, you can be sure that the dentist carrying out the procedure is highly trained and experienced. You can also be sure that high quality materials are used, something which is harder to guarantee if you opt for these ‘special offers’ abroad.
If you have teeth that you would like to improve aesthetically, why not arrange to have an initial consultation with us so that we can put a cosmetic dentistry action plan into place? Whether that includes veneers or other treatments as part of your smile makeover, you can book your consultation with us by calling us on 01268 733078 today.