Dental veneers are very thin layers of porcelain that are designed to cover the anterior part of a tooth for esthetic purposes. Veneers can be a great option as a way to achieve a whiter, brighter, more even smile, to correct small misalignments, to close small gaps, and to enhance the shape and length of front teeth. If you are considering veneers you will here find greater insight on what this is about.
Veneers are for…
…A whiter smile. Depending on your age and habits, a standard whitening, laser or otherwise, can bleach teeth 2-4 shades, but sometimes this is not enough. For a bright, Hollywood smile, the best way is through either crowns or veneers because this pearly white is very hard to achieve and maintain naturally.
…An even smile. Perfection in cosmetic dentistry depends heavily on symmetry. For this reason, a cosmetic dentist will take considerable pains to achieve evenness in size, length, and shape of teeth. The art of symmetry is to make the make the anatomy of each tooth as ideal as possible in accordance to the structure of your face and make the anatomy of each tooth similar to its corresponding opposite. This is to say, for example, that both laterals in an arch should be similar in length and shape as both canines, both centrals, etc. This is only achievable to perfection with crowns or veneers.
…A straight smile. Both dental veneers and crowns involve grinding of the tooth enamel. The main difference is that for a veneer, the dentist grinds only the front surface, whereas for a crown, the dentist grinds all surfaces. For this reason, although irreversible, dental veneers are considered a “conservative” cosmetic alternative. Through this grinding, the dentist can correct small misalignments in front teeth and give the appearance of a straight smile.
Veneers are not…
…An alternative for orthodontics. Even though veneers can cover small misalignment problems, they cannot correct severely cramped teeth, malocclusion, tooth rotation, or other orthodontic-related problems. Actually, cosmetic dentists recommend getting veneers after the orthodontic treatment has been completed for optimal results. The only alternative to orthodontics is the use of crowns.
…For patients with evidence of bruxism. Even if the strongest materials are used for dental veneers, the mechanics of their design will be unable to sustain large amounts of constant pressure. Grinders cannot have dental veneers without the risk of fracture. The cosmetic option for patients with bruxism is crowns, whose surface area allows greater resistance and adhesion.
…An alternative to crowns. This is when crowns are used as a restorative tool. So, for example, a veneer cannot correct a fractured, chipped or perforated tooth. In fact, a veneer works best when the tooth is perfectly healthy. In a similar fashion, veneers are not to be used on posterior teeth as these have a mechanic function, not cosmetic.
Dental veneers are a good option to achieve a perfect smile. Our dentists at Costa Rica Dental Team are experts in cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Patients who have had dental veneers at our clinic have been very happy with the results. If you are interested in enhancing your smile with a cosmetic procedure, do not hesitate to contact us. Tell us your expectations and send us pictures of your bite and smile. We can then discuss what we can do to achieve your dream smile.
