Porcelain veneers in Moorestown

Do Porcelain Veneers Work for Everybody?

Porcelain teeth coatings work best if your teeth are healthy but have cosmetic flaws. The porcelain covers up visual imperfections and evens out color discrepancies to create a more uniform appearance. The dentist adheres veneers porcelain to your existing tooth enamel, creating a thin but durable exterior that is smooth and white. They are virtually undetectable, yet create a visible improvement in your smile.

Many of our patients choose Lumineers®, a popular type of veneer that is thin and translucent. Each one is as thin as a contact lens, so they are quite comfortable right from the start. Your dentist can determine whether Lumineers® are the right veneers for you.

If you have deeper dental issues like decay, your dentist may recommend another alternative. If left untreated, such problems will only get worse. You may need porcelain crowns or tooth replacements. Make an appointment with your Moorestown dentist today for a consultation.

What Kinds of Imperfections Do Veneers Conceal?

Your dentist can repair a number of issues with a porcelain veneer procedure, including:

• Small chips in one or more teeth that mar your smile
• Ground-down teeth that are shorter than those next to them
• Gaps between teeth that you find bothersome
• Minor alignment issues
• Uneven color, whether due to discoloration from prescription drugs like tetracycline or stains that won't respond to whitening products

If you have these types of dental issues, call us to schedule an exam.

What Are the Key Differences Between Veneers and Crowns?

While both veneers and crowns improve your smile, they each have their own distinct functions. The porcelain coating your dentists uses for veneers is quite thin but durable. It covers up visual imperfections, typically on the outer surfaces of your teeth, and it is long-lasting.

A crown, in contrast, is made from stronger materials. Metal, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and ceramic are some of materials available. Unlike a veneer, which is primarily a cosmetic fix, a crown protects a damaged tooth. It fits over the entire tooth, not just the front. A dentist sometimes uses a crown to even out tooth color. Most of the time, though, a crown is a protective appliance that prevents further tooth damage.

What Is the Porcelain Veneers Procedure?

Once you have consulted with your dentist in Moorestown and determined that veneers are a good fit for you, the dentist will trim the teeth that need it. This adjusts the size and thickness of the tooth so that an added veneer will look natural.

Before fitting veneers, your dentist will determine the appropriate color so that it matches your natural tooth shade. Once your teeth are trimmed and cleaned, your dental professionals will take an impression of your teeth for fitting purposes. They fill a bite tray with a thick paste that you bite down on. The paste will dry, providing a permanent, 3D image of your teeth.

The dentist will then use the impression to create custom-fit veneers for the teeth that need them. Some offices can do this in-house, while others send the impression to a lab that specializes in such work.

Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will fit them in place. A careful check will confirm the veneer fits perfectly. If it does not, your dentist will trim it until it is just right. This avoids any discomfort after your procedure is complete.

Prior to bonding, the dental staff will polish your teeth and the veneers to prepare them. Then, they will apply an etching gel to your each of your teeth to be veneered. The etching helps ensure a strong, permanent bond.

After a short time, they rinse off the etching gel thoroughly. Then, the dentist applies the bonding gel to each veneer, and fits it in place on its designated tooth.

If you have any questions about this or other oral-related procedures, we are happy to discuss them with you. Call us at (856) 212-0975  to find out more about porcelain veneers in Moorestown or schedule online to get started.