The unsurpassed beauty of porcelain veneers … Get to know this “secret weapon” for a perfect smile in four FAQs
Thanks to advanced cosmetic techniques and products, your friends at the office of Stephen Huber, DDS effectively lift stains and dramatically whiten teeth – living up to the promise of brighter teeth when so many OTC “whitening” products have failed to get results. However, our team’s considerable artistry and expertise may also be applied to “fix” cosmetic imperfections that transcend the color or shade of the teeth. When in Dr. Huber’s skilled hands, dental veneers to correct chips, poor shape, and other cosmetic flaws also look indistinguishable from natural, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing teeth.
Veneers are thin handcrafted porcelain shields worn on the front of the tooth which improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, cracked, stained or worn. Veneers are thin as contact lenses, and are an aesthetically pleasing option of closing gaps, lengthening teeth, and providing symmetry to make your smile more natural. Veneers are intended to last for many years without changing color. They are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in dentistry. Ask your dentist if veneers may be right for you.
How can veneers fix what I dislike about my smile?
Veneers are thin shells of a dental material that has been perfectly prepared. So, the color and other characteristics of the material look natural, like natural tooth structure. Typically, the materials of choice are porcelain or composite resin. Once these porcelain or composite veneers are made to your specifications, they are secured to the front surfaces of teeth that are marred by stubborn discoloration, surface imperfections like chips, gaps, and other spacing issues that do not require orthodontic care, and size- and shape-related aesthetic concerns. After the veneer is fixed securely to the tooth, the imperfection is disguised and effectively disappears from the smile!
What material is better?
Generally, porcelain is characterized as the material of choice for several reasons:
- It is highly resistant to permanent staining
- It replicates the appearance of natural tooth enamel. No other dental material can be color-matched to the teeth as well as porcelain
- It mimics other properties of natural enamel as well, such as its translucency and durability
How is the porcelain applied?
These wafer-thin shells are secured to teeth that have been slightly reduced to accommodate the thickness of each veneer. Since modern veneers are so thin, very little enamel is removed to make room for them. So this characteristic makes today’s porcelain veneers very comfortable. Sensitivity is minimized, which means little to no numbing is required for comfort. Veneers are bonded or fixed securely using a special dental cement and curing light to harden the material and ensure the strongest attachment of porcelain to enamel.
How long do your veneers last?
At Stephen Huber, DDS, we set our patients up for long-term success with their veneers and restorations due to our attention to detail and use of high-quality materials and products. We also partner closely with patients from across the Leawood, Kansas, area to ensure their veneers are protected from damage and continue to “serve them well” for many decades to come. With good care, your treated teeth can look as beautiful as the day they were placed.
We advise on ways to extend your veneers’ lifespans. Suggestions might include avoiding chewing on hard objects, such as pens or ice. Also, if we suspect that bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) may have been to blame for some of your imperfections in the first place, Dr. Huber is happy to discuss ways to protect your veneers and the rest of your teeth from future chips and damage.
Call us at (913) 349-9795 today with more que
