Porcelain veneers in Homestead, Florida

Veneers restore your teeth’s outer appearance and improve their overall look by fixing color, size, shape, and spacing. Our dentist in Homestead is glad to assess your needs to determine if veneers are right for you. Call us today at (786) 738-6500 to schedule a consultation.

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

A porcelain veneer is like a new outer shell for your tooth. Composed of thin ceramic layers that mimic tooth enamel, porcelain veneers adhere to a tooth’s surface, improving minor cosmetic issues.

Veneers can appear to lengthen teeth that have been shortened through tooth grinding, also called bruxism, or smooth out chipped teeth. They also can adjust the overall shape of your teeth to complement your features better.

If you have a tooth that’s misaligned or small gaps between your teeth but don’t otherwise need braces, veneers can fix those problems as well. Perhaps best of all, veneers can brighten your smile if your teeth aren’t as white as they once were—or if they’re not as white as you’d like.

Food, beverages such as coffee and tea, smoking, medications, and age all contribute to discoloring or yellowing our teeth. With veneers, you can choose a shade that looks natural but turns back the clock. They’re especially helpful for one or two teeth that have been particularly stubborn to other whitening treatments.

Our dentist even can show you how your smile will look with veneers before you undergo treatment. Before applying any veneers, our dentist in Homestead first will make 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) for a snug and comfortable fit. But once in place, veneers are virtually worry-free.

They won’t shift or move while you eat or talk, and they won’t stain, just give you the smile you’ve always imagined.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

A veneer is similar to a crown in that no one knows it’s there except you and your dentist. Both dramatically improve the overall look of your teeth by changing the shape or color. But whether you opt for a veneer or a crown depends on the underlying health and condition of your teeth.

Veneers are designed to mask minor imperfections, so they’re applied only to the front of a tooth. A crown (also called a cap) fits over the entire tooth down to the gums and restores a damaged tooth’s function, making this the better option if you’ve lost a lot of tooth structure because you grind your teeth, have dental decay, or had a mouth injury.

Applying a crown involves removing more of the natural tooth enamel (at least 2 mm), but once a crown is in place, it makes the tooth underneath stronger. Crowns also hold up better under the biting force between your molars, making them the preferred choice for structural or cosmetic issues affecting the back teeth.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Barring any accidents to your teeth, your veneers should last for decades. Of course, that depends on your lifestyle and proper care, but as long as you brush and floss daily, your veneers should keep your smile beautiful for years to come.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers^® are a specific brand of specific veneers known for being ultra-thin. They require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth. Yet even though they’re thinner than other brands, they’re also remarkably durable. Lumineers^® have been shown to last more than 20 years with proper care. They’re also highly translucent, so they look like your natural teeth.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

If your veneers cover teeth worn from clenching or grinding, your dentist might advise you to wear a custom-made night guard to protect your new smile while you sleep. Otherwise, you’ll care for your porcelain veneers as you would your natural teeth: by brushing and flossing them gently each day.

Keep in mind that as sturdy as veneers can be, they can’t weather everything. Your dentist might recommend that if you have veneers on your front teeth, you not bite into hard foods such as candy apples, for instance. We’d also suggest not using your teeth to rip open packages or snip through plastic price tags on clothing, just as you wouldn’t with your natural teeth.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Homestead Today

If you have additional questions about veneers or think they might be right for you, we’re here to help. Our friendly and caring staff in Homestead can to set up an appointment for you to discuss any concerns about using veneers and how they can fit into your dental care. Call us today at (786) 738-6500.