There are many types of dentistry services. Preventative dentistry aims to keep your teeth free of decay and disease. Other types of dentistry services have the goal of providing you with the smile of your dreams. The use of porcelain veneers is just one way to attain the smile of your dreams through cosmetic dentistry.
So, are porcelain veneers permanent? Porcelain veneers are not considered a permanent dental solution. However, with proper care and maintenance, they can last up to several decades! This makes the use of porcelain veneers a popular choice among individuals desiring a smile that is more aesthetically pleasing.
As with any semi-permanent procedure, there are many things to consider before investing in porcelain veneers. We hope that this post provides you with the information you need to decide if porcelain veneers are a wise choice for you.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers, a common cosmetic dentistry procedure, are thin tooth-colored shells that are bonded onto the front of your teeth. They are custom-made using a thin porcelain material to closely mimic the look of your natural teeth. This provides a durable solution for improving the color, shape, or size of one or more teeth.
Because porcelain veneers are fabricated to match your natural teeth, they can be an excellent way to repair one or two teeth that are damaged or discolored. However, many dentists use porcelain dental veneers can on a larger scale to improve the overall aesthetic appearance of a smile.
Porcelain veneers are bonded to each tooth individually using a special cement that is fast-drying and incredibly strong. The porcelain material is also incredibly compatible with your natural gum tissue, eliminating the possibility of negative reactions.
Once the porcelain veneer procedure is complete, you will be left with a beautiful smile that mirrors the strength and durability of natural teeth.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Due to the nature of the porcelain veneer procedure, they are not a permanent solution. However, there are ways to ensure that your porcelain veneers remain in-tact for as long as several decades!
According to many dentists that specialize in porcelain dental veneers, most veneers last anywhere between 7 to 15 years. With proper brushing, flossing, and routine visits to your Decatur dentist, you can ensure that your veneers are a long-lasting investment.
Uses for Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers can be used to improve or correct many types of dental complaints. The natural finished look of porcelain veneers and minimally invasive procedure make this a popular dental treatment.
Discolored Teeth
Porcelain veneers are often useful in covering permanently stained teeth. Discoloration can be the result of tooth damage or disease, root canals, medications, fluoride, or other invasive dental procedures. Because porcelain is resistant to staining, the use of veneers for correcting discoloration is not only effective but also quite popular.
Damaged Teeth
If you have teeth that have any type of damage, porcelain veneers may be a wonderful solution! Damage can occur from injury or disease. It can present itself as a worn-down tooth, chipped tooth, or misshapen tooth. A porcelain veneer will cover the damage, creating the appearance of a perfect tooth.
Misshapen Teeth
Another common use for porcelain dental veneers is to correct teeth that are misshapen. Porcelain veneers easily correct the placement and shape or uneven teeth. They can also be useful in correcting teeth that have large gaps between them.
There are many other reasons that individuals decide to pursue porcelain dental veneers. They are a wonderful solution for correcting the size, shape, color, or positioning of one or several teeth. Providing an incredibly natural appearance, this is one of the most simple cosmetic dentistry procedures that reaps a great reward.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers have many benefits that other cosmetic dentistry services simply do not offer. Below we will share just a few of the many benefits that porcelain veneers provide.
Easily Cover Small Damages
As discussed above, porcelain veneers have proven to be useful for easily covering small damages to the teeth. These can include chips, stains, cracks, or even gaps between teeth. Unlike other cosmetic dentistry services, porcelain veneers offer an easy solution to covering a single tooth in a way that easily blends with your natural teeth.
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Some cosmetic dentistry procedures require the removal of large amounts of enamel on each tooth. Unfortunately, once you remove the enamel, it will never return. Before a Decatur dentist bonds the porcelain veneer to your tooth, they are only required to remove a small amount of enamel.
Because of this, the porcelain veneer procedure is both minimally invasive and also causes minimal pain. Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of your smile without causing great damage to the natural tooth that lies underneath.
Boosts Your Confidence
One of the benefits that porcelain veneers offer is a boost to the individual’s confidence! While some cosmetic dentistry alternatives do not blend well with your teeth, porcelain veneers are a nearly seamless match.
Porcelain veneers provide you with a boost to your confidence that is quite tangible. You will no longer worry about your teeth that are misshapen, discolored, or otherwise damaged. The confidence that an individual experiences when they are proud to show off their smile is contagious and is quickly apparent in other areas of life!
Are Porcelain Veneers Worth the Investment?
The biggest question an individual must face before they decide to pursue porcelain veneers is if they are worth the investment. Although not a permanent solution, porcelain veneers have the ability to last up to 15 years. With proper care and maintenance, your porcelain veneers will provide you with long-lasting results.
Porcelain veneers are also stain-resistant. Unlike other types of cosmetic dentistry procedures, your porcelain veneers will remain beautiful and white for the duration of their existence.
Because of this, many experts agree that porcelain veneers are well worth the investment! Not only do they add to your confidence, providing you with the smile of your dreams. But they also repair damaged teeth that could become a much larger issue if not reinforced with veneers.
Talking to your professional dentist in Decatur is the best way to determine if porcelain veneers are the right investment for your situation.
When Are Porcelain Veneers a Bad Idea?
Although porcelain veneers have countless benefits, there are times when they may not be the best option for your situation. If the damage to your tooth has been extensive, your dentist may advise against the use of porcelain veneers.
A highly damaged tooth will not be strong or sturdy enough to hold the porcelain veneer. Luckily, in this case, there are many other cosmetic dentistry options such as a dental crown or bridge.
If you already experience tooth sensitivity, porcelain veneers may not be for you. Many patients experience an increase in their sensitivity to both hot and cold after receiving their porcelain veneers.
It is important to note that porcelain veneers are an irreversible procedure! Because the Decatur dentist must remove enamel from the tooth before bonding the veneer, you are required to have veneers for the rest of your lifetime.
If your veneers become loose or require replacement, you will be forced to invest in replacements. Because of this, it is important to think through your decision thoroughly before making the investment in this cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Finding a Decatur Dentist for Porcelain Veneers
When you are ready to invest in your porcelain dental veneers, it is crucial to work with a Decatur dentist that you can trust. Although the procedure for porcelain veneers is minimally-invasive, it is irreversible. It’s important that your veneers are done correctly the first time.
Working with a dentist who does not specialize in this cosmetic dentistry service could leave you with bulky, misshapen veneers that look far from natural. An experienced dentist will have the ability to properly match and shape your veneers. This is what provides you a finished look that is both beautiful and natural.
Additionally, it’s important to find a dentist who offers patient-centric dental care. Unfortunately, many practices will not have your best interests in mind. This will lead to procedures that are not ideal for your situation, causing you to waste both time and money.
At Dental Associates of Athens, we will only suggest dental procedures that we believe will provide you with great cosmetic or medical benefits. This practice has earned us the trust and respect of many individuals throughout our many years of dentistry.
We understand that porcelain veneers have the ability to impact your physical appearance in a great way. Because of this, we continue to take our job seriously. Always looking for ways to provide our patients with porcelain veneer procedures that are both effective and efficient.
Our team would love to discuss porcelain veneers in greater detail if you have an interest in pursuing this cosmetic dentistry procedure. To learn more about porcelain veneers or our other services, visit our Decatur dentist website here. You deserve the smile you dream of!
