If you come from Hollywood (or even NYC), chances are you’ve heard of porcelain veneers. Also known as dental veneers, this cosmetic dentistry treatment has been utilized by A-list celebrities like George Clooney, Hollywood executives, and everyone in between. Even more so in recent years, porcelain veneers have become a treatment option for just about everyone. If you’ve dreamed of losing those stains, correcting gaps in your teeth, or even changing the shape and size of your smile, porcelain veneers offer up some of the most dramatic smile transformations out there.
With just about anything that gets introduced to a larger audience, however, there are several myths about what porcelain veneers are, and what kind of procedure is required. If you’ve been searching for a way to correct your smile, or hope to find a way to dig through all that misinformation surrounding porcelain veneers, this blog is for you.
Porcelain Veneers Require Major Reconstruction
The basic idea of porcelain veneers is quite simple. Measurements are taken of your mouth and the smile you hope to have, and then wafer-thin shells are custom crafted by a dental lab to cover cosmetic imperfections. Because the treatment doesn’t rely on natural tooth matter to produce that shimmering look, the transformation that can occur is much more dramatic, fixing teeth that are unevenly spaced, chipped or cracked, or discolored. While your teeth will have to be primed in order to fit with the wafer-thin shells, calling this procedure “major reconstruction” would be an exaggeration. For those who feel uncomfortable with the process, other alternative veneers are available which don’t require the loss of natural tooth material.
Porcelain Veneers Look Unnatural
Another common myth concerning porcelain veneers is the idea that the effect produced by the ceramic is “unnaturally white,” cuing others in that you’ve had dental work. While it is true that some patients may prefer a bright shade of veneers, yours don’t have to look like that. You have the option to work with us on the exact shape and shade of your veneers. You have the power to choose. The material used for porcelain veneers can mimic the luster of our natural enamel, making them virtually impossible to detect. Or you can make them obviously fake–if that’s what you want.
Porcelain Veneers Are a Waste of Money
Many have heard that porcelain veneers are expensive, and while this may be true for some patients, many find them to be perfectly affordable, as many offices offer alternative financial options which include monthly payments. If your financial situation allows, you may find porcelain veneers to be a much better option than previously expected.
For example, if your teeth are stained, often the first option considered is professional whitening. While this is a great option for many, the results last between 3-6 months, requiring another treatment to brighten that smile. Porcelain veneers, however, are made with a material that is resistant to stains and chips. When properly cared for, they’ve been known to function perfectly for up to twenty years — think of how many whitenings that would be!
If you live in or around Mohegan Lake, New York and would like to learn what dental veneers can do for your smile, please call (914) 526-2144 or contact Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake today to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation.
