Porcelain veneers are a potentially ideal means of concealing aesthetic flaws in teeth, including chips, cracks, gaps, and discoloration. While they can add some strength to teeth, they are meant primarily as a cosmetic treatment. Therefore, the ideal candidate for porcelain veneers is someone with teeth that suffer from mainly superficial damage. For more extensively damaged teeth, porcelain crowns would most likely be a better option.
For those who require immediate cosmetic improvement to their teeth, dental bonding may be a superior (and cheaper) option. However, if the cost of porcelain veneers is not an issue, many dental office now feature CERECŪ technology, which allows dentists to craft fully customized porcelain veneers while patients wait. Otherwise, patients will have to return to the dental office to be fitted with their veneers after they have been milled at a laboratory.
Those with teeth that are malformed or crooked may also benefit from porcelain veneers. Veneers can be crafted to lengthen short teeth or add body to teeth that are disproportionately small. Many people turn to veneers as a sort of “instant orthodontics.” While porcelain veneers cannot correct badly misaligned bites, they can improve minor misalignment. They will certainly make the teeth appear more uniform.
People with limited budgets may prefer dental bonding as a means of restoring the beauty of their teeth, although many dental offices offer financing plans. Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic dental treatments such as porcelain veneers.
People with extreme tooth sensitivity may not be suitable candidates for porcelain veneers, especially since most veneers require the removal of natural tooth enamel before they can be placed. If you are interested in porcelain veneers, a qualified cosmetic dentist can assess your teeth and advise you of your options. If you are not a good candidate for porcelain veneers, other treatments may be available that can restore your smile to its natural, youthful radiance.
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