Do you hide your smile because you’re embarrassed by dental problems like chipped, crooked, or discolored teeth? If so, it’s time to learn about the incredible versatility of veneers.
Each veneer is a thin, strong, porcelain shell that we customize to cover a single tooth. Veneers are natural-looking, as beautiful as your original enamel, and strong enough to restore function as they solve your cosmetic challenge.
If you’re considering veneers, you should also know that our team at Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center fabricates them in the office. Our on-site dental lab ensures fast, personalized attention, resulting in veneers that transform your appearance.
Let’s explore the seven ways veneers can enhance your appearance and give you a reason to smile.
Professional teeth whitening does an exceptional job, but it’s not always the best choice. The dentin in the center of your teeth can become discolored, creating yellow-looking teeth.
Topical dental whiteners won’t change this type of discoloration. Veneers cover the problem while perfectly matching your other teeth.
Though a small crack may go unnoticed, a chipped tooth mars your smile. Both can make the tooth sensitive to sugar and cold or hot foods and beverages.
More worrisome is that chipped and cracked teeth give bacteria an opening, making it easy to invade and cause tooth decay or an infection.
Porcelain veneers create a new barrier, covering the crack or chip and preventing bacteria from taking hold. Your new veneers also restore the tooth’s strength and structural integrity.
Veneers hide gaps between teeth, a problem that often appears in the most visible location: between your two upper front teeth. Closing a gap also protects your dental health.
The open space between teeth allows them to gradually move out of position. The movement creates a misalignment that affects your bite, putting extra stress on your teeth that can cause damage.
Veneers eliminate the appearance of crooked, twisted, or misaligned teeth, but only if you have a minor problem. A veneer hides the misalignment, giving you the appearance of straight teeth.
However, veneers aren't a good choice if the problem is severe enough to affect your bite (how your teeth match when biting and chewing).
Moderate to severe alignment issues should be corrected with braces or invisible aligners. These orthodontic appliances move teeth into their proper position, giving you the bite needed to maintain your dental health.
Tooth enamel erodes with frequent and ongoing exposure to the acids in foods and beverages. Carbonated soft drinks and citrus or citrus-flavored beverages cause most erosion. Sour candies pose a double threat because they’re highly acidic and stick to your teeth.
Acids temporarily soften tooth enamel and cause minerals to leach out. Though enamel is incredibly strong, it can’t withstand long-term exposure to acids and gradually wears down.
Your body doesn’t repair or replace the enamel. But with a veneer, the damaged tooth regains its original strength, function, and appearance. The veneer also protects the tooth from future erosion.
Many people are unhappy with teeth that have an unattractive shape. You may have a tooth that’s too square or round compared to your other teeth. Or it might be pointy or have an irregular contour.
You might also have a tooth that’s a different length than the others, creating an uneven appearance. We create individual veneers that transform the shape needed for each tooth.
Cavities in the front teeth aren’t as common as decay in your molars, but they can develop. We can restore a small cavity in a front tooth with a composite filling that matches your tooth.
However, we may recommend a veneer to cover a medium to large filling. The veneer eliminates any concerns about a visible filling and ensures the tooth stays strong.
If you’re tired of cringing when you look in the mirror and you’re ready to brighten your smile, it’s time to learn about veneers. Call the Northwest Dental Services & Denture Implant Center office in Tacoma or Lakewood, Washington, to schedule a consultation.
