7 Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Dr. Ryan Clancy in Woburn and Winchester, MA, is highly skilled at this cosmetic dentistry treatment called “instant orthodontics.” He consistently exceeds patients ‘ expectations with his aesthetic eye and ability to conceptualize your idea of the perfect smile. Whether used alone or as a part of a smile makeover, porcelain veneers have some unique features that make them an excellent option for many patients.
1. Not Limited by Natural Teeth
If you are unhappy because your teeth are discolored, you might consider teeth whitening. While teeth whitening can be effective, it’s limited by your natural teeth. If you have thin enamel, damaged enamel, off-colored enamel, or teeth discolored from within, teeth whitening likely won’t give you the results you’re looking for.
On the other hand, Veneers can be as white as you want them to be. They can brighten your teeth as much as you want and even be the type of white that you like best. We’ll help you find a combination of whitening that gives you the brightness you want but still looks natural if that’s a concern for you.
2. Porcelain Veneers Are Long-Lasting
We know many people imagine that porcelain veneers are fragile. The first ones were. They were made of actual porcelain nearly a century ago. Movie stars would wear them only when on set because the risk of breaking them was so high. Now, though, veneers aren’t made of porcelain. They’re made of advanced ceramics that are very strong.
Porcelain veneers have a long life span (10-20 years when cared for properly). That’s a very long time when you compare it to the results of teeth whitening, which might not last six months and rarely last a year.
3. Veneers Are Easy to Care For
Dental veneers are easy to care for. Just treat them as you should treat your natural teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit our office twice a year for professional dental cleanings. The only significant change we might recommend is switching to toothpaste with low abrasiveness.
You don’t have to give up any foods you enjoy. However, to preserve your grin, avoid potentially destructive behaviors like opening packages, opening bottles, crunching ice, or cracking nuts with your teeth. The material we use for modern veneers is often stronger than tooth enamel, but not so much that you should use them for anything we wouldn’t recommend for your natural teeth.
4. Minimal Effect on Enamel
Compared to dental crowns, porcelain veneers require minimal enamel removal, typically 0.5 millimeters. Since a veneer is so thin and only covers the front side of a tooth rather than the whole tooth, less enamel is affected than with a crown.
In contrast, dental crowns require a minimum of 1.5 to 2 millimeters of enamel removal as this is the average thickness of a crown. Additionally, a crown covers more of the tooth than a veneer, requiring enamel removal on multiple tooth surfaces.
5. Dramatic Cosmetic Changes
Improving the appearance of your teeth and smile can dramatically affect your facial appearance. We can use veneers to address many common cosmetic concerns you might have. Veneers can:
- Repair chips
- Lengthen teeth
- Brighten teeth
- Close gaps in your smile
- Reshape teeth
- Straighten teeth
We can achieve almost any change you want to make short of replacing a tooth with porcelain veneers.
When done right, the effect of porcelain veneers is about more than just individual tooth complaints. By revising your smile with porcelain veneers, Dr. Clancy strives for results that can:
- Make your face more symmetrical
- Widen your smile
- Add height to your smile
You’ll have a bolder, more confident smile.
6. Customizable for Natural-Looking Results
Porcelain veneers look so natural because they reflect light similarly to your natural teeth. Customization is another reason for successful treatment outcomes. With a good shade match and attention to shape, you can have a photo-ready smile without anyone knowing you had dental work.
Dr. Clancy meticulously shapes your porcelain veneers for the best aesthetic outcome. Additionally, you and he will choose a custom shade to match the rest of your smile, ensuring your porcelain veneers blend in with your existing teeth.
You and Dr. Clancy will assess how well the size and shape fit your smile at your porcelain veneers placement appointment. If you are dissatisfied or feel that a change is needed, we will have your porcelain veneers revised at the lab.
7. Stain- and Acid-Resistant
While dental bonding is prone to discoloration from staining, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant. Porcelain veneers are not porous like your natural enamel, so common stain culprits like coffee and red wine do not discolor your porcelain veneers. You can keep your smile looking bright for years with consistent oral hygiene.
Veneers are also resistant to acid, which helps them avoid staining. While acids in food and drink can easily etch tooth enamel, disrupting their brightness, veneers maintain their smooth, glossy surface.
Contact Us for a Porcelain Veneer Consultation
At Divine Smiles, we treat patients with a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. Dr. Clancy will make sure he understands your treatment goals and dental history before recommending a particular treatment. Our goal is always to preserve and improve your oral health.
To find out if porcelain veneers are the solution for your smile, call our office at (781) 396-8558 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Clancy. We serve patients in Woburn and Winchester.
By Ryan M. Clancy, DMD, MAGD, LVIF, FPFA, FIAPA | March 23rd, 2022 | Porcelain Veneers
