Porcelain veneers in Hollywood, Florida

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Composed of thin layers of thin dental porcelain that mimics tooth enamel, veneers actually adhere to the tooth’s surface, improving your smile’s outer beauty. They’re a good option to correct aesthetic issues in otherwise healthy teeth, such as:

Size and shape:

A chipped tooth can make you feel less pulled together, especially with a job interview, family gathering, or milestone event like a wedding on the horizon. But once a veneer covers the front of that tooth, it fits so securely and comfortably that no one will know it’s there except you and your dentist. Veneers also can lengthen teeth that have been shortened because of tooth grinding, or bruxism. They even can enhance your appearance by changing the overall shape of your teeth if you’ve always thought they looked too square, too big, too small, or too round for your face.

Tooth Color:

Aging, tobacco products, coffee, tea, and even certain medications all can contribute to our teeth looking discolored, yellow, or dingy. If traditional whitening treatments haven’t given you the results you want – or if you have one tooth that’s particularly stubborn to such treatments – veneers can restore your teeth’s natural brightness. But why stop there? Veneers come in a variety of shades, so you can even go a bit brighter if you like.

Alignment and spacing:

Porcelain veneers can correct small gaps in your smile that can make you feel self-conscious, so you won’t have to wear braces, especially if you’re beyond your teen years. They also can fix other minor adjustments in your tooth alignment.

Our dentist in Hollywood will assess your individual needs and discuss whether veneers are the right solution for you. Before applying the veneers, the dentist will take a mold of your teeth to ensure a custom fit. The dentist might have to reduce a small amount of your natural tooth’s enamel (less than 1 mm of the surface), depending on the brand and type of veneers used. But adding veneers to your teeth is painless. Once a veneer in place, it won’t move or stain and should feel as comfortable and look as natural as the rest of your teeth.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

A veneer is as permanent as a filling or a crown. Both veneers and crowns are made from the same material, adhere to the underlying tooth structure, and can change the shape and color of teeth, improving their overall look. But a crown fits over the entire tooth down to the gums. Some people refer to getting a crown as “capping a tooth,” because the crown fits over a tooth’s inner core of a tooth like a cap. A veneer covers only the front surface.

Because of how they’re applied, crowns often are recommended if you’ve lost a lot of tooth structure because of age, trauma, decay, or because you grind your teeth. A dentist must remove more of a tooth’s exterior enamel (at least 2 mm) for a crown to fit properly. But once cemented in place, a crown actually helps strengthen a tooth. Crowns also are a good choice for back teeth with structural or cosmetic issues because crowns are stronger under the greater amount of bite force that your molars use.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Barring any accidents to your teeth, veneers should keep your smile looking bright and beautiful for decades. Just remember to brush and floss daily, and be mindful not to use your teeth to open bottles, bags, or other items.

What Are Lumineers®?

Lumineers® are a specific brand of veneers. They’re known for being ultra-thin, so they require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth. Yet they’re quite durable – they can last more than 20 years! Because they’re also highly translucent, they look as natural as they feel.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

For the most part, you’ll care for your veneers as you would your natural teeth: by brushing and flossing daily. But if you have an underlying issue such as tooth clenching or grinding, you might want to wear a custom-made night guard to protect your veneers. You’ll also want to be careful about biting into certain hard foods such as candy apples, especially if you have veneers on your front teeth.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Hollywood Today

Have additional questions about whether veneers are right for you? Give our friendly staff a call at (954) 246-4851 to set up an appointment. We’re happy to assist you.