Porcelain veneers are versatile cosmetic dental appliances that can conceal a range of aesthetic defects like chips, cracks, and stains on teeth. However, you may not be aware of how a dentist can use these remarkable ceramic shells to address minor bite alignment issues by closing gaps and giving teeth a straighter appearance. Here’s a brief guide to how porcelain veneers may be able to straighten out your smile.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells designed to mimic the ideal shape and texture of natural tooth enamel, and a dentist can conceal dental defects like chips, cracks, gaps, and stains by cementing these appliances on teeth. This treatment can completely transform a smile in as few as two appointments, and, with excellent care, the appliances can last for fifteen years or more before needing replacement.
How Can Porcelain Veneers Straighten Teeth?
In some cases of minor misalignment such as gaps or mildly or moderately crooked teeth, your dentist may be able to readjust your bite by reshaping your pearly whites so they fill empty spaces or stand up straighter. This can address oral health issues like uneven dental wear, oral hygiene difficulties, and TMJ strain by resculpting the teeth so they fit together comfortably and chew and bite more effectively.
How Are Porcelain Veneers Placed?
Placing porcelain veneers typically requires two appointments, and once you are approved for the treatment, you will be scheduled for the procedure. During your first visit, your dentist will begin by administering a local anesthetic to render the process painless, and you may also receive a dental sedation treatment if you need any extra help sitting comfortably. They will then shave a small amount of enamel from the teeth being treated before placing a temporary set of veneers on them. This reshaping of the teeth ensures that the appliances fit properly and comfortably.
After your first appointment, a skilled technician will craft a customized set of veneers based on detailed measurements of your teeth. When your permanent appliances are ready, you’ll come back to the office to have your temporary veneers removed and the new ones fixed in place. After you and your dentist check them for fit and comfort and make any final adjustments, you’ll be ready to meet the world with your new smile.
If you’d like to address mild alignment issues in your smile, porcelain veneers may be the ideal treatment for you. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to tell if you can be a suitable candidate for this remarkable cosmetic procedure.
About the Author
Dr. Ishwinder Saran earned his dental doctorate at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and received his Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Stratton VA Medical Center. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the NY State Dental Association, and the Massachusetts Dental Society, and his office in Long Island City offers preventive, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as porcelain veneers. To book your cosmetic dental consultation, contact his office online or dial (718) 280-3286.