9 Dental Problems That Porcelain Veneers Can Fix

Porcelain veneers consist of thin porcelain shells that slip over teeth to conceal imperfections. And despite their thinness, porcelain veneers are very durable. This is because ceramists create veneers in temperatures reaching over two thousand degrees Fahrenheit. Their thinness and durability make porcelain veneers ideal to treat a range of dental problems.

Keep reading to learn about nine dental problems porcelain veneers can help with.

1. Discolored Teeth

Tooth whitening doesn't always succeed in removing stains from teeth. This is usually because the stains are intrinsic rather than extrinsic. Intrinsic stains usually occur because of medications, tooth infections, and sometimes after root canals. A cosmetically trained dentist can match a veneer to the shade of the surrounding natural teeth to conceal stains and restore a smile.

2. Misshapen Teeth

Sometimes, because of genetics or issues with tooth decay or tooth trauma in childhood, secondary teeth come through misshapen. These teeth may be noticeably smaller than the surrounding teeth. They might also have some discoloration. A porcelain veneer can easily fit over a misshapen tooth to disguise it completely.

3. Misaligned Teeth

Teeth become misaligned for various reasons. Sometimes, a jaw is too small to accommodate all the teeth, which leads to overlapping and crookedness. And bad oral habits like nail-biting and thumb sucking can cause misalignment. Even if a tooth twists to one side, a veneer can conceal the imperfection. But the cosmetic dentist will need to remove some tooth structure beforehand.

4. Worn Teeth

Teeth suffer gradual wear and tear over time. This wear and tear might be worse if a person enjoys acidic foods and drinks. Oral habits like chewing on pens and opening packets also advance the progression of wear and tear. Worn teeth appear pitted, brittle and translucent around the edges. Porcelain veneers are hard and so can provide support and stability as well as beauty.

5. Short Teeth

People with short teeth in the front of their mouth, in the smile zone, have gummy smiles that stand out for the wrong reasons. Porcelain veneers are a faster alternative to orthodontic treatment in regard to this issue. The porcelain shells can lengthen short teeth to create a more pleasing, natural smile.

6. Gapped Teeth

Although orthodontic treatment is often the recommended approach to gapped teeth, porcelain veneers are also an effective treatment. If a patient doesn't want to undergo orthodontic treatment for some reason, then porcelain veneers can help to close the gaps between teeth. Dentists can often do this by placing a few veneers on the upper teeth in the smile zone.

7. Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Cracked or chipped teeth in the front of the mouth can ruin a smile. A dentist can place a porcelain veneer over a cracked or chipped tooth to conceal the damage. A skilled dentist and ceramist can create a porcelain veneer that resembles the natural tooth in its intact state. They can do this by taking an impression of your teeth before creating the veneer in a lab.

8. Broken Teeth

In the front of the mouth, porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns are much the same things. If a patient has suffered an accident leading to a broken tooth, a porcelain veneer can cover the damage and restore the ability to chew, speak, and eat comfortably.

9. Sensitive Teeth

Teeth can become sensitive with time. This could be linked to wear and tear brought on by poor diet and oral habits. If a patient struggles to enjoy hot and cold drinks or go running in cold weather, porcelain veneers can act as a layer of protection to prevent temperatures from penetrating the enamel surface too deeply.

If your smile is suffering because of one of these issues, porcelain veneers could be right for you. Book your appointment with Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A., today, and discover just how veneers can help to restore your smile and confidence.