Porcelain veneers in Miami, Florida

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Veneers are layers of thin dental porcelain that mimics tooth enamel. They adhere securely but comfortably to the front surface of a tooth like a shield. They’re a good option to correct cosmetic concerns such as:

• Size and shape: A chipped tooth can make you feel less pulled together than you’d like, especially with an important get-together, a job interview, or milestone event like a wedding on the horizon. Veneers also can lengthen teeth that have been shortened because of bruxism, also called tooth grinding. They even can enhance your appearance by changing the overall shape of your teeth if you’ve always thought your natural teeth looked too small, too big, too square, or too round for your face.
• Tooth Color: Coffee, tea, certain medications, tobacco products, and even aging all can contribute to our teeth looking dingy, yellow, or discolored. If your teeth haven’t responded to whitening treatments as well as you’d like – or if you have one tooth that’s particularly stubborn when it comes to whitening – veneers can restore your teeth’s natural brightness to blend in with your natural teeth. Veneers come in a variety of shades, so you can even go a bit brighter if you like.
• Alignment and spacing: A gap-toothed smile can make you feel self-conscious, but you may not want to go get braces, especially if you’re beyond your teen years. With porcelain veneers, you can correct those small gaps and make other minor adjustments in your tooth alignment.

After assessing your individual needs, our dentist in Miami will take a mold of your teeth to ensure a custom fit. Before applying the veneers, 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 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. No one will know it’s there except you and your dentist.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

Both veneers and crowns vastly improve the overall look of your teeth by changing the color, shape, or size. They’re made from the same material, adhere to the underlying tooth structure, and are designed to be permanent. But where a veneer covers only the front side of a tooth, a crown fits over the entire tooth down to the gums, like covering it with a cap. This is why people sometimes refer to a crown as a cap or getting a crown as “capping a tooth.”

A crown works best if your underlying tooth has lost a lot of structure because of decay, age, or trauma, or because you grind your teeth. For a crown to fit properly, a dentist must remove more of a tooth’s exterior enamel (at least 2 mm). Crowns also are recommended for molars with structural or cosmetic issues because they can handle a stronger biting force. Once cemented in place, however, a crown actually helps strengthen the tooth.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers are designed to last several decades, depending on your lifestyle, proper care, and the brand of veneers used. If you remember to brush and floss daily, and you’re mindful not to use your teeth to open bottles, bags, or other items, your smile should look bright and beautiful for a long time.

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! They’re also highly translucent, so they look as natural and as comfortable as they feel.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

If you have an underlying issue such as tooth clenching or grinding, your dentist in Miami might suggest that you wear a custom-made night guard to protect your veneers while you sleep. You’ll also want to be careful about certain foods and tasks that can be tough on natural teeth, as well as teeth with veneers. These include not biting into hard foods such as candy apples or using your teeth to snip price tags or open packages. Otherwise, you’ll care for your veneers as you would your natural teeth: by brushing and flossing them daily.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Miami Today

Have additional questions about whether veneers are right for you? Give our caring staff a call at (305) 459-3204 to set up an appointment. We’re glad to assist you.