For many people, having a perfect smile is an important feature. When even a single tooth is chipped, cracked, or stained, it can detract from your appearance and your confidence. If you want to improve your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can provide dental veneers. If you’re curious about how this procedure can be used to restore your smile to its original appearance, have a look at the informative guide below.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin, shell-like covers applied to the surfaces of teeth to conceal and protect damaged areas, such as cracks or chips. They can also be used to alter the appearance of crooked teeth or stained teeth, or to fill gaps in the teeth. With proper and regular care, veneers can last for up to 30 years.

Types of Veneers

The two materials most commonly used by cosmetic dentists to make veneers are porcelain and composite resin, a hard-wearing polymer suitable for a wide range of uses, including fillings and dentures.

Porcelain is popular for its natural-looking appearance, strength, durability, and resistance to staining. To install porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dentist will first remove a minimal amount of enamel from the tooth being repaired, make a mold of it, and send it to a dental laboratory. Lab technicians will then craft a custom-made veneer to fit the impression sent by the dentist.

Composite resin is modified to match the color of your existing teeth. To apply it, little enamel, if any, must be removed before the resin is applied to the damaged area and carefully sculpted to fit the contours and pattern of the surrounding teeth.

Benefits

Both porcelain and composite resin veneers share a number of advantages in common. Most notable is the ability to restore teeth to their original appearance and whiteness. They can also help resolve minor cosmetic issues and decrease the risk of tooth decay and related issues by sealing gaps and cracks in tooth enamel, which may expose the sensitive pulp and the gums to infection. 

In addition to requiring less time to put in place, composite resin is typically more affordable than porcelain. However, it’s less durable and may require replacement in as little as four years.

If you’re interested in getting veneers to restore your smile to its original brightness, get in touch with Dr. David K. Skeels. Based in Rochester and serving patients throughout Irondequoit, Webster, Greece, and Penfield, NY, this cosmetic dentist offers an extensive range of services to enhance your appearance and protect your overall dental health. Call (585) 467-7000 to schedule an appointment, and find out more about his services by visiting him online.