A healthy, appealing smile is beneficial for many reasons. Not only will it enhance your appearance, but an attractive smile will also improve your self-esteem and overall quality of life. Of course, most people have some imperfections that might require cosmetic dentistry treatments and services.

For severely stained, chipped, broken, or crooked teeth, porcelain veneers can be a great option for restoring your smile back to the healthy and appealing state you prefer. Although they can be a large expense, costing hundreds to thousands of dollars or more per tooth, veneers can be a great investment. Unfortunately, you may not be familiar with this method of smile restoration. By learning the truth behind a few common misconceptions, you will learn if veneers are right for you.

They Look Unnatural

One of the most common misconceptions people have about veneers is that they look unnatural. Of course, walking into the dentist and walking out with a white, bright, straight, and restored smile is not the norm, but the porcelain veneers will still look realistic.

In most cases, porcelain veneers are bright white, but not so bright that they look fake. The veneers are shaped and installed in a way that matches your existing, natural teeth, so they will look like a part of your original smile. If preferred, the lab can also create veneers that match the natural color of your teeth, giving your smile a straight, restored smile while still keeping some of your smile's unique color.

They Are Brittle

Another common misconception people believe is that veneers are brittle and not as strong as natural teeth. Because they are fabricated out of porcelain, it is easy to see why this is a common belief. However, porcelain veneers are actually incredibly strong and durable.

New types of porcelain are even more durable than the veneers used years ago. This porcelain is not only more natural looking, but it is also stronger, reducing any risk of damaging the veneers when eating certain foods.

With proper placement and care, porcelain veneers are so durable that they can last a lifetime.

Placement Is Painful

The process of placing your veneers can be time-consuming and invasive. Because of this, many people fear that the placement of veneers will be painful, but that is not actually true. To understand how it is not painful, you need to understand the placement process.

If you want veneers, you need to plan to visit your dentist multiple times for the process to be completed properly.

During the initial visit, your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. X-rays of your smile and impressions of your teeth and mouth will be taken during this appointment, too. The x-rays and impressions are sent to a lab that will fabricate the veneers in a customized manner. This fabrication can take a few weeks.

The next important step is the actual preparation for the placement of your veneers. This preparation will include shaving a layer of enamel off your teeth. The use of dental tools to remove the enamel is what many people believe will be painful. Fortunately, a local anesthetic is administered, reducing any pain or discomfort you may feel during this process.

Once prepared, the veneers can be bonded to the surface of the teeth. Removing the thin layer of enamel allows the veneers to be secured to the surface evenly and naturally. A light is then directed onto the dental-grade bonding agent to secure the veneers in place. Again, you should not experience any pain or discomfort during any part of the process for preparing or placing the veneers.

If you are considering veneers, learning the truth behind these common misconceptions is smart. For more information, talk to a cosmetic dentist like William E Kemper DMD.

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