I am trying to figure out if porcelain veneers will work for me. My teeth aren’t too bad overall. They always get discolored and they aren’t perfectly straight. I read an article about how porcelain veneers can make your teeth look perfectly straight and white. How do I find out if they are an option for me?
-Jen in Illinois
Jen,
When porcelain veneers are done by a talented cosmetic dentist, they can give you a beautiful new smile. They work well for imperfections like small chips, discolored teeth and minor spacing issues. You may not be a candidate if the spacing issues aren’t too severe. However, without having seen you in person, it is difficult to tell you one way or the other.
The best thing to do is to find the best cosmetic dentist in your area. For porcelain veneers, it’s all about selecting the right dentist. Not every dentist will provide the same level of service. This is because most dentist are trained to fix things. But, a cosmetic dentist loves to create beautiful, aesthetically-pleasing smiles. It’s a different mindset and requires extensive training beyond dental school. Of course a great cosmetic dentist will want your teeth to function properly. They just care much more deeply about their appearance.
Here are some helpful tips and reasons why porcelain veneers don’t work for patients. It’s good information to have as you begin looking around to schedule a consultation with a couple cosmetic dentists in your area.
Reasons Porcelain Veneer’s Don’t Work
Fake-Looking Teeth
Many patients are lured in by the no-preparation, ultra-thin veneers, like Lumineers. Lumineers are a certain brand of porcelain veneers that are heavily marketed by Den-Mat Corporation. Lumineers tend to create teeth that end up looking too bulky and longer than normal. This is often due to the no prep technique. Most expert cosmetic dentists will stay away from Lumineers for many reasons. So, if the dentist recommends it, that alone may be a reason to keep looking.
Stains on the Surface
In some cases, a patient walks away with a beautiful smile. Then, as time goes on they start noticing stains along the edges. This is usually a result of something not adhering properly during the bonding process. The dentist may not have properly rinsed away one of the products during the process when they were permanently placed. Or there could be that some moisture was present, which allowed leakage to occur. Either way, this is usually a sign that your dentist may not be as skilled as you thought.
Another reason for staining on the surface of the porcelain veneers is due to a hygienist using abrasive equipment during a cleaning. Be sure your hygienists know how to take care of veneers properly during a cleaning. And always avoid abrasive products at home, like teeth whitening products. The agents in these products will not whiten the porcelain and can ruin the protective glaze on the veneer.
Uneven Surfaces
If you notice any rough spots where floss is catching or food is getting stuck in your new porcelain veneers, go back and get it corrected as soon as possible. These areas are highly prone to decay and can damage the underlying tooth.
Porcelain Veneers Look Dull
As we mentioned earlier, creating a beautiful smile is like a work of art. There are many factors like translucency, color gradation and shaping that an excellent cosmetic dentist masters.
It’s all about selecting the best cosmetic dentist you can find. If you happen to be looking for a cosmetic dentist near Barrington, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Gavrilos. He has the skill level and passion to give you the smile of your dreams and help determine if porcelain veneers are right for you.