Porcelain veneers for your teeth: What you need to know

If there is something you’d like to change about the appearance of your teeth, you are not alone. Most people have at least one thing they’d like to change about their smile. Fortunately, there is a convenient solution that can completely transform your smile in as little as two visits: porcelain veneers. At Crestwood Dental Group in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. James Maxwell uses the latest dental materials and technologies to help patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted.

How porcelain veneers work

Porcelain veneers are very small caps of durable dental porcelain that are custom-shaped and shaded to craft your unique, beautiful smile. They are glued to the front of the teeth, where they hide the visible surface of your natural teeth to enhance the appearance of your smile. Veneers are very versatile and can be used to change not only the shape of your teeth but also their size, color, and length—resulting in a terrific smile that is Hollywood-worthy! Modern dental porcelains are very aesthetically appealing because they are stain-resistant and have the same translucency as natural teeth. Additionally, with good oral hygiene at home and routine dental care, porcelain veneers can last as long as 20 years.

Issues that veneers can hide

Teeth naturally have imperfections that can make you self-conscious when you are smiling or speaking with others. Porcelain veneers are designed to hide a wide variety of issues, providing an optimal solution for patients who have one or more of the following:

• Chips or cracks in their teeth
• Unevenly sized or shaped teeth
• Asymmetry in their smile
• Gaps between teeth
• Mildly crooked teeth
• Pitted or grooved enamel
• Permanent stains or discoloration that is resistant to tooth whitening
• Worn down teeth

Getting porcelain veneers: what to expect

Porcelain veneer placement is typically a two-step process. However, prior to having veneers placed, it is important that your teeth and gums are healthy and disease-free. Dr. Maxwell may recommend that you address any issues such as cavities or gum disease as the first step in your smile transformation.

After you and Dr. Maxwell have determined that veneers are the right option for you, he will prepare your teeth for the veneers by carefully removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface of the teeth. This enables the veneers to form a better bond with the teeth without appearing too bulky in your mouth. At this point, we will take dental impressions so that your custom veneers can be made to fit your smile perfectly, and we will place temporary veneers to protect your teeth while your veneers are being fabricated. Once they are ready, you will come back into the office and “try on” your new smile. Dr. Maxwell will make any adjustments needed, and when you are both happy with the fit and appearance, he will bond the veneers onto your teeth. 

With porcelain veneers, your perfect smile is within reach! To schedule your appointment at Crestwood Dental Group and learn whether veneers are right for you, call our St. Louis office today at (314) 463-5655.

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