Get a radiant smile with porcelain dental veneers at New Health Dental in Mesa, AZ

Radiant smiles used to be reserved for the movie stars in Hollywood, but thanks to modern dental technologies, having beautiful, pearly white teeth is within everyone’s reach! Porcelain dental veneers are a common cosmetic dental treatment that can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile in a short amount of time. In this article, Dr. Edward Fritz, dentist at New Health Dental in Mesa, AZ, answers frequently asked questions about dental veneers.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are ultra- thin sheaths of material that are custom-created for a patient and then bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth to improve their overall appearance.

What are the main types of veneers?

The two most common types of veneers are porcelain and composite resin. Both have their advantages. The main benefit of choosing composite resin veneers is cost – they are about half the price of porcelain. However, porcelain veneers have many benefits that patients find to be worth the additional expense. Porcelain is a much stronger and more durable material than composite resin, and veneers made of porcelain can last up to 15 years (versus about five to seven years for composite resin). Porcelain also has a translucent quality that looks very similar to a natural tooth, making veneers virtually indistinguishable from your other teeth. Porcelain is also more resistant to staining.

Why would I need dental veneers?

Dental veneers can be a great option for people who have one or more of the following issues with the teeth that are visible when they talk and smile:

• Permanent discoloration
• Misshapen teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Mildly misaligned teeth
• Teeth that are too small in comparison to other teeth in the mouth
• Mildly gapped teeth

What is involved in getting dental veneers put on my teeth?

Porcelain veneers need to be fabricated in a laboratory so that they are shaped and colored just like your natural teeth, so it usually involves at least two visits to get them placed. In your first visit, the dentist takes an impression of your teeth that are used to plan out your veneers. The dentist prepares your teeth for the impressions by removing a small portion of the tooth’s enamel. At this point, the dentist may give you temporary veneers, so your teeth aren’t too sensitive while you are waiting for your permanent veneers to be created. Once your permanent veneers are ready, you come back to the office and the dentist checks them for size and fit. When you are both happy with how they look in your mouth, the dentist bonds them to your teeth and you are on your way with your brand-new smile!

What are some of the benefits of dental veneers?

Dental veneers can be a great choice for people who have crooked teeth but do not want to go through years of unsightly orthodontic work. They provide an instant transformation of your smile with very little harm to your natural tooth structure. Porcelain is a biocompatible material that works in harmony with the other tissues in your mouth and looks natural, especially since it can be color-matched to your other teeth. Even better, once porcelain veneers are on your teeth, they are resistant to stains.

Who is a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a great choice for most dental patients who want to improve imperfections in their smiles. Patients who maintain good oral hygiene and have healthy teeth and gums are great candidates for veneers when they want to fix issues such as mildly crooked teeth, discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening treatments, or misshapen or chipped teeth.

Who is not a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

It is important to have good oral health before getting veneers placed, so if you have any issues such as gum disease, Dr. Fritz may recommend that you receive treatment for that before you get veneers. You must also have enough enamel on your teeth for the veneers to adhere properly, so if your enamel has worn down over time, you may not be a good candidate. Patients who grind or clench their teeth may suffer from cracks or chips in their veneers, but Dr. Fritz can provide a custom-fitted nightguard to protect your teeth if you suspect that you grind your teeth at night.

Call us to learn more

If you have always wanted to improve your smile but thought you’d need years of orthodontics or tooth replacements to fix cosmetic issues, then veneers may be a great choice for you! Call New Health Dental in Mesa, AZ at (480) 830-3305 to schedule a consultation today.

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