Everyone wants that Hollywood smile, but not everyone is lucky enough to be born with perfect teeth. Chips, irregular shapes, and discoloration of teeth are not uncommon and can make people hide their smiles or feel uncomfortable.
If your teeth make you self-conscious for any reason, dental veneers may be a solution to consider.
Sometimes called porcelain veneers, or porcelain laminates, veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored material that are adhered to the front surface of your existing teeth to improve their appearance.
Your dentist may recommend veneers for one or several of your teeth to correct:
- Worn down teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped teeth
- Gaps between your teeth
Because veneers don’t usually require as much tooth shaping as crowns do, they are a strong and attractive alternative that preserves as much of the tooth as possible.
Veneers appear very natural and are resistant to staining from coffee, tea or even cigarette smoking. With proper care (which is no different from your standard brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings) veneers can last 5 to 10 years, at which point they can simply be replaced.
The cost of veneers is generally not covered by insurance, as the procedure is considered cosmetic. However, getting that Hollywood smile might just be priceless.
If you would like to learn more about veneers, talk to your dentist at your next scheduled appointment.