How Porcelain Dental Veneers Can Rebuild Your Smile

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain shaped to fit over the front side of your teeth. Veneers are strong, look natural and are made to match the shape and color of your own teeth.

Teeth that are discolored, chipped, decayed or poorly shaped are good candidates for veneers. They're also beneficial in situations involving a slight gap between two teeth, as well as for minor crowding and bite-related problems.

Discuss porcelain veneers with your dentist. If they can work for you, be part of the design process. Let your dentist know what you want corrected and what you're looking for in your new smile. With cosmetic imaging, you may even be able to see a preview of the new you.

Aside from having the best teeth in the house, one of the greatest values in porcelain veneers is that very little tooth structure is lost, and you may need little to no anesthesia for some treatments. The materials used to make them also provide resistance to stains from coffee, tea and other foods that natural teeth don't protect against as easily.

Because some enamel is removed, however, the procedure is irreversible. Also keep in mind that once cemented, the color cannot be corrected. You may have some temperature sensitivity for a few days, as well. Veneers are strong, but they can be damaged by chewing ice and biting your fingernails, so you'll need to kick those habits, should you have them.

You'll want to treat your new porcelain veneers just as carefully as you do your own teeth. Keep your normal oral hygiene routine, but use nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste, which keeps you free of decay without aggravating the veneers themselves. If you clench or grind your teeth, your dentist may also suggest a night-guard to protect your veneers from damage while you sleep.

Even those who are the most self-conscious about their teeth can see a big change from porcelain veneers. As author and spiritualist Thich Nhat Hanh said, "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy." Find out if the source of your joy is in a new set of porcelain dental veneers.