What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain shaped to fit over the front and sides of teeth. Veneers are strong, look natural and are made to match the shape and color of natural teeth. Teeth that are discolored, chipped, decayed or poorly shaped are good candidates for veneers.
They're also beneficial in situations involving a slight gap between two teeth, as well as for minor crowding and bite-related problems.
The Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers
- The value in porcelain veneers is that very little tooth structure is lost, and either little or no anesthetic is needed for some treatments. The materials used to make the veneers also provide resistance to stains from coffee, tea and other foods that natural teeth don't protect against as easily.
- Because some enamel is removed, however, the procedure is irreversible. Also keep in mind that once cemented, the color of the veneers cannot be corrected.
- Patient may have some temperature sensitivity for a few days. Veneers are strong, but they can be damaged by, for example, chewing ice or biting fingernails, so they are not suitable for patient who have a habit of grinding their tooth or biting their fingernails.
