Porcelain veneers in West Palm Beach, Florida

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, masking minor aesthetic issues in otherwise healthy teeth.

Veneers can smooth out chipped teeth or appear to lengthen teeth that have been shortened through tooth grinding, also called bruxism. They also can adjust the overall shape of your teeth to complement your features better, good news if you’ve always thought your teeth were the wrong size or shape for your face.

If you have small gaps between your teeth or a tooth that’s misaligned, but you don’t want or need braces, veneers can fix those problems as well.

Perhaps best of all, veneers can whiten your smile, especially if your teeth have been particularly resistant to whitening treatments. Beverages such as coffee and tea, smoking, medications, and even age all contribute to discoloring or yellowing our teeth.

With veneers, you can choose a shade that looks natural—or even go brighter if you like. Before you undergo treatment, our dentist can show you how your smile will look with veneers. To apply one or more veneers, the dentist first will take a mold of your teeth for a custom fit that looks natural and feels comfortable in your mouth.

A small amount of tooth enamel – less than 1 mm of the surface – might have to be removed before adhering the veneer in place to ensure a snug fit, depending on the type of veneers used. But once attached, your porcelain veneers will be as permanent as a filling or a crown. They’re also virtually worry-free.

While veneers might need replacing after years of wear or an accident, they won’t stain or shift around as you eat or speak.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

Veneers and crowns vastly improving the overall look of your teeth by changing the color and shape. They’re also made from the same material, adhere to the underlying tooth structure, and are meant to be permanent. But a veneer covers only the front surface of a tooth whereas a crown (also called a cap) fits over the entire tooth down to the gums.

For a crown to fit properly, the dentist must remove more of a tooth’s exterior enamel (at least 2 mm). That’s why they’re often recommended if you’ve lost a lot of tooth structure because of decay, age, or trauma, or because you grind your teeth. Once cemented in place, however, a crown actually helps strengthen a tooth.

Crowns also are a good choice for back teeth that have structural or cosmetic issues because they hold up under the biting force between your molars.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers can last for decades. Barring any accidents to your teeth, as long as you care for your veneers properly, your smile should look bright and beautiful for a long time.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers^®; are a specific brand of veneers 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 – Lumineers^® are known to 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 your veneers cover teeth worn from clenching or grinding, your dentist might recommend that you wear a custom-made night guard to protect your new smile while you sleep. Otherwise, care for your 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. For instance, if you have veneers on your front teeth, you might not want to bite into hard foods such as candy apples. 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 West Palm Beach Today

Have additional questions about whether veneers are right for you? Give our friendly and caring staff a call at (561) 459-1488 to set up an appointment. We’re glad to assist you.