Seven Myths About Porcelain Veneers Solved

Do you feel embarrassed about the appearance of your teeth? If so, then porcelain veneers are a popular and easy way to dramatically improve your smile. A smile is worth a thousand words, and this cosmetic dental treatment can do wonders to enhance the impression you want to portray. This fantastic solution not only alters the appearance of chipped, crooked, or stained teeth but can even fill in awkward gaps and spaces. The result is so amazing you will want to smile even more.

The experienced cosmetic dentists at Weller Dental, with offices in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL, help men and women throughout the Chicago area decide the best solution to improve their smiles and confidence. If there are certain things about your smile that you wish to change, porcelain veneers could be your answer. To learn more about this highly customized treatment, read below as we uncover seven myths about porcelain veneers and why patients often choose this cosmetic treatment.

1. Veneers are too perfect looking

At Weller Dental in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL, our cosmetic dentists offer these wafer-thin overlays to dramatically alter aesthetic dental concerns. Veneers are artistically crafted to blend with the patient’s existing teeth to match color, shape, and thickness. During your initial consultation, our cosmetic dentist takes time with each patient to determine their smile goals. The brightness is adjusted based on each patient’s desire. Some patients prefer a whiter, brighter hollywood look while others choose a natural look. We look at the patient's facial shape, complexion and personality to help us design your perfect smile that you will preview in temporaries. We will look at the gums and surrounding teeth to help you get the best results from your porcelain veneers. In most instances, the size of the veneers are predetermined to proportionally match the existing teeth and fit the size of the mouth. The final result requires exceptional skill by a highly-qualified cosmetic dentist. The end goal of porcelain veneers is for your teeth to look so natural that the only thing others will notice is how fantastic your smile appears.

2. Veneers are only for beautifying a smile

Many men and women in the Chicago area turn to cosmetic dentistry for their custom porcelain veneers to attain a more symmetric, brighter, straighter, and healthier-looking smile. However, veneers can also be used to protect your oral hygiene as well. Veneers essentially add a layer of protection to your natural teeth once they are bonded. Patients who have microdontia, or smaller than average teeth, can cover teeth that look almost child-like in appearance, filling in gaps where food and bacteria often get trapped. Veneers are often also utilize to improve a patient's function and bite. Proper guidance on our Canine teeth protect our front teeth from damage, on many patients there is significant wear on their canines, rebuilding this function back with utilizing porcelain veneers is a huge advantage to long term stability of the entire mouth. It helps protect all teeth from further wear and damage caused by added stresses on teeth and restorations. The talented cosmetic dentists at Weller Dental in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL can even use porcelain veneers to lift the lips and smile area. This nonsurgical enhancement to the lower third of the face helps to smooth out wrinkles and support the lips.

3. Veneer application is painful

Long gone are the days where veneers were thicker, requiring much more enamel to be removed in order to prepare the tooth for application. While there is some necessary reduction of the patient’s natural tooth enamel that must occur to create a perfect fit, it is minimal. Veneers today can be made as thin as.3mm. That means less enamel loss and preparation work beforehand so you can enjoy your new smile sooner.

4. Veneers are only for front teeth

Not true! While it is more common for veneers to be placed on the most visible teeth in the front of the mouth, they can, in fact, be placed anywhere in the mouth. Common reasons why a patient would want to have veneers on the lower or back teeth include their ability to even out the height of the teeth and their bite, widen smiles, and conceal chipped or cracked teeth.

5. Veneers are easily stained

Porcelain veneers are different from tooth enamel. They are non-porous, which means they cannot be easily stained by typical offenders like red wine and coffee. Veneers offer a big plus for Chicago area men and women who love their coffee and are not able to keep up with the latest and greatest teeth whitening agents on the market. While other veneers made from composite material are an alternative, more affordable solution, they are more porous and more likely to chip and stain. The cosmetic dentists at Weller Dental in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL offer porcelain veneers to provide their patients with a high-quality, long-lasting option that will create a beautiful smile.

6. Veneers weaken existing teeth

While this myth may seem to make sense since a small part of the tooth enamel is removed, veneers actually provide an extra layer of strength for your teeth. Only a tiny amount of enamel is removed from the tooth, and the rest of the tooth remains intact. The custom-made veneer is permanently bonded directly onto the tooth, providing an extra layer of protection, similar to the effects of wearing a helmet. Porcelain is a sturdy and durable material capable of withstanding your teeth's daily demands.

7. Veneers work for everyone

This popular cosmetic dental enhancement is a desirable solution for many people. However, there are a few factors that could rule you out as an immediate candidate for porcelain veneers. During your initial consultation at Weller Dental in Chicago and Hinsdale, IL, our cosmetic dentists will assess the health of your teeth and gums. Patients who have cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease will have to address those problems first before veneers may be considered. Porcelain veneers are bonded directly to the teeth, and they require a healthy foundation for long-term success. Removing aesthetic concerns is easy with veneers, but covering up more significant dental issues will lead to larger problems.

Now that the seven myths about porcelain veneers have been solved, you may be ready to enhance your smile and change the way you look. Remember, your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so why not love the way your smile looks. Porcelain veneers are a fantastic solution to finally fix discolored, misshapen, or displeasing teeth so you can enjoy your smile and share it with others. If you want to learn more about porcelain veneers, contact the Chicago or Hinsdale, IL office of Weller Dental and set up a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists to discuss your smile goals.