How Can Porcelain Veneers Improve Your Smile?

You don’t have to live with teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, broken, or that are misaligned. A dental clinic in Orlando can provide you with several options for making cosmetic changes to your teeth that will brighten your smile and restore your confidence. One of those options is dental veneers, which are sometimes referred to as porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates.

What are dental veneers?

Dental veneers are custom-made and very thin shells that cover the front surface of your teeth. Dental veneers are made from porcelain or resin composites. Porcelain veneers are superior to resin veneers, because they are much more stain-resistant and reflect light similar to the way your natural teeth do. Veneers are maintained by regular good oral care habits such as brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. For people with otherwise healthy and strong teeth, they are an effective and natural-looking option for changing the shape and color of teeth without taking the more significant step to get full crowns. 

What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?

Flexibility

Dental veneers can be used to repair a single damaged or misshapen tooth, or to reshape and reframe your entire smile.

Durability

The porcelain material from which veneers are made is designed to resist scratches and chipping. A professionally selected and installed porcelain veneer by a dental clinic in Orlando will last as long as 15 years. 

You can preserve the veneers’ lifespan by good habits such as avoiding biting your nails and chewing on hard objects like pencils and ice. Your cosmetic dentist may suggest other options if you’re someone who tends to clench your jaw or grind your teeth, since those are activities that can cause chips and cracks to porcelain veneers.

Versatility

Veneers offer an alternative solution to a wide variety of cosmetic dental issues, from discoloration to misshapen or chipped teeth. Veneers can change the length, size, shape, and color of one or more teeth. Small changes to any of those factors can quickly transform your smile and appearance.

If your teeth are discolored as the result of trauma or the side effects of medications, you know that many teeth whitening options are not effective. Porcelain veneers offer an alternative solution to that type of discoloration. One thing to keep in mind is that the color of veneers can not be changed once applied to your teeth. A dental clinic that provides porcelain veneers in Orlando will help you to choose the ideal color, but do so carefully.

Natural

Well-designed and properly installed and maintained veneers are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth, and can not be detected by others. You’ll never have to shrink from close-ups or intimate moments out of fear of getting caught. Unlike natural teeth which discolor over time, porcelain is resistant to staining and will not lose its lustre. 

Since stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof, your dentist may recommend refraining from stain-causing foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine. If those are your indulgences of choice, discuss the best oral care habits to minimize the risk of staining veneers and your natural teeth with your dentist in Orlando.

What are the steps to getting porcelain veneers in Orlando?

Getting veneers is usually a three-step and three-appointment process. The three steps to the veneer process are: treatment planning, reshaping your tooth to accept the veneer and making impressions from which your veneer will be constructed, and permanently cementing the veneer to your tooth or teeth (after a test-run to confirm the fit, shape, and color).

Are you a candidate for porcelain veneers in Orlando? If you have generally healthy and strong teeth with existing enamel, a cosmetic dentist in Orlando may be able to confirm that veneers are a good option for your goal of beautifying your smile. Find out by contacting a dental clinic near you.