We’ve all heard the rumor that the first President, George Washington, use to wear wooden teeth – which is only half true. Yes, President Washington suffered from dental troubles throughout his adult life. However, his dentures were made of several materials including bone, hippopotamus ivory, brass screws, lead, gold wire and other human teeth. Luckily, smile transformation has come a long way since the 1700’s and dentists now can not only treat tooth decay, but prevent it before it even starts. One of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry is dental veneers – specifically porcelain. The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers range from more mild issues, such as discoloring, to the more extreme, such as fixing broken teeth. Veneers are routinely used to fix:

  • Tooth discoloration
  • Teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken
  • Teeth that are misaligned, irregularly shaped or uneven
  • Gaps

Veneers work by covering the tooth in a thin, custom-made shell that covers the tooth’s surface to improve its appearance. The shell is then bonded to the tooth thus changing its color, shape, length and size according to the patient’s dental goals.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers are made of either porcelain or a resin composite. However, the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers typically outweigh those of resin and commonly the more popular choice among patients. For starters, porcelain veneers resist stains and reflect light better than resin for a more natural, whiter smile. Other Benefits of Porcelain Veneers include:

  • Durability. Porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years with good oral hygiene
  • Most natural looking
  • Stain resistent
  • Conservative tooth removal. Only a small amount of tooth removed during the procedure

There are a few times when resin is preferred over the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers, typically in occassions where the patient only needs mild adjustments to their teeth as resin is thinner than porcelain which may look too bulky. Every mouth is different. Talk with your dentist about the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers and which option is right for you.