Made of either porcelain or composite resin, dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are used in cosmetic dentistry. When bonded to the front of teeth, they can give any patient an instant smile upgrade. Here are ten key benefits of this increasingly popular procedure.
1. Natural Looking
Because they are wafer-thin shells, veneers do not look bulky or oversized like many dentures do. They are also made of materials that catch and reflect light just like real teeth. It’s no wonder most people can’t tell the difference.
2. Incredibly Durable
With proper maintenance and care, porcelain and resin models can last for a decade or more. Although typically thin (between 0.5 and 0.7 millimeters) and brittle on their own, they become quite strong when bonded to healthy teeth.
3. Color Matching
Whether you have a gleaming white or a slightly off-color smile, shells can be made to match your natural shade. This is true whether you want one tooth covered or a dozen.
4. Relatively Quick
Although it can take a week or more to design and craft each shell, it typically only takes about an hour to put one in place.
5. Addresses Multiple Flaws
Arguably the single greatest benefit of the procedure is that it can be used to correct a number of cosmetic flaws, including spaces (diastemas), discoloration, chips, and cracks. Shells can even be designed to alter the size and shape of teeth.
6. Less Destructive
When compared to competing cosmetic options like full crowns, the procedure requires the removal of less of the tooth before it can be completed. As such, it is less likely to affect the nerves inside your pearly whites, as incidences of increased dental sensitivity are quite rare.
7. No Maintenance
As a permanent cosmetic option, there is nothing special or even extra you have to do to take care of your new smile after the procedure. Whether you choose porcelain or composite resin, both materials are incredibly easy to keep clean with daily brushing, flossing, and gargling (mouthwash).
8. Little Recovery Time
Unlike many other cosmetic procedures, there is no real recovery or even adjustment period when it comes to dental veneers. As soon as the covers have been bonded to your teeth, you can resume normal function straight away. There’s no need to avoid certain foods or take special care of you new and improved smile. You are free instead to eat what you like when you like.
9. Stain Resistant
Coffee and wine drinkers, rejoice! Porcelain and resin models have been tested to resist staining of any kind.
10. Restores Function
Although it is primarily a cosmetic procedure, dentists can strengthen chipped, cracked, and fractured teeth with dental veneers. This may not return them to pristine condition, but it may allow them to function normally for the first time in a long time.
A versatile cosmetic dental procedure, dental veneers can give almost any patient an instant smile upgrade.
