There are many different dental procedures to whiten, straighten, and otherwise improve a person’s smile, but there is only one procedure that will treat almost all aesthetic problems: porcelain veneers. Whether your teeth are discolored, stained, chipped, broken, gapped, or crooked, porcelain veneers will correct your concern.
Discolored and Stained Teeth
Although porcelain veneers are not often solely used for superficial concerns, such as discoloration and stains, they can whiten the smile if desired. Patients usually have a more prominent issue to correct and choose to have the veneers customized for teeth whitening in addition to closing their gaps or camouflaging a broken tooth. Since veneers are often placed on the front six or eight “smiling” teeth, they can make the smile look naturally whiter without the need to whiten the surrounding teeth. If the patient is only getting a few veneers placed and they would also like a brighter smile overall, Dr. Sands will recommend teeth whitening prior to placing the veneers.
Chipped and Broken Teeth
Since veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that fit over the front of the tooth, they can disguise virtually any imperfection. A single veneer is a great option to disguise a chip or crack in the tooth. Dental bonding is an alternative to fixing chipped teeth, but bonding can stain over time and will likely need to be replaced after several years. Porcelain veneers are very strong, durable, and resistant to staining. They can last up to two decades without the need for repair or replacement.
Crooked and Gapped Teeth
Invisalign and braces may straighten crooked teeth, but they cannot change the shape or length of the teeth like porcelain veneers can. Patients with “gummy” smiles can have their teeth instantly lengthened to provide a more balanced appearance to the smile. Teeth that are sharp and pointed are also instantly corrected for an even more beautiful result. The shape of each veneer is customized so that they can fit the natural tooth, closing any gaps and camouflaging any other imperfections.
Porcelain veneers are truly an all-encompassing solution for those who desire a complete smile makeover or for those who have more than one concern about the appearance of their smile. If you are interested in this procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Kevin B. Sands by calling (310) 273-0111. You may also conveniently fill out our online contact form for more information.