What are Porcelain Veneers?

When a tooth is damaged or suffers from decay, a repair may be necessary. If the damage is significant enough to the biting edge of the tooth, your dentist may recommend a veneer.

Veneers

A veneer is a dental restoration that is utilized to replace the damaged portion of the tooth. Whether the patient suffers from tooth decay or injured their tooth during an accident, a veneer may be an option to restore the structure, strength and appearance of the tooth that has been damaged.

Some of the issues that a dental veneer can resolve are:

  • Cracks in a Tooth
  • A Broken Tooth
  • Chips in a Tooth
  • Tooth Discoloration
  • Spacing Issues

If the damage to the tooth is too severe for a dental veneer to fix the issue, a dental crown may be a better solution. Because a dental veneer allows the patient to maintain more of their natural tooth, though, your dentist will likely opt for a veneer instead of a dental crown if the option is
available.

Why Porcelain?

While there are a few different options for veneers, one of the most popular options is porcelain. This is because porcelain veneers look more natural, allowing them to blend in both with the healthy tooth and the surrounding teeth. Porcelain veneers are also strong, and may last longer
than composite veneers.

One of the only negatives for porcelain dental veneers are their price. They are generally more expensive than composite and frequently not covered by insurance. Still, because of how long porcelain dental veneers last, they are a more affordable, long-term solution.

Placement Process

If your tooth is damaged, the first thing you’ll want to do is set an appointment with your dentist. Do not wait until your next regular visit. If you allow the damage to go untreated, it may become worse—leading to the need for the placement of a dental crown or even a root canal or extraction. Once you visit your dentist, they will determine if a porcelain dental veneer is the right option for you.

Once they’ve made the decision to place a porcelain veneer, your dentist will begin cleaning and preparing the tooth. This will involve removing any decay or reshaping the tooth. They will then take a mold of the tooth, and determine the right shade for the restoration. They will send this information to a lab to have the custom made veneer created.

Once the veneer is ready, your dentist will check to make sure it matches your teeth perfectly. They will then place the veneer with a dental bonding agent. Porcelain veneers are excellent tooth replacement options that provide strength and cosmetic appeal. Speak with your dentist about porcelain veneers as an option for treating your damaged tooth.

Contact West Mobile Dental Care

We'd be happy to go over you options with you and find out what the best course of action is. Contact us today, we offer a wide variety of Preventative, Restorative, and Cosmetic Dentistry including Porcelain Veneers. We're available at (251) 666-3600 or via our online contact form here.

Interested in learning more about Porcelain Veneers? Read more about the procedure here.