It’s no secret that many a celebrity owes their red-carpet smile to porcelain veneers. These thin sheaths of dental porcelain are the rock stars of the cosmetic dentistry world, since they can address a wide range of smile flaws in a single procedure. Of course, as with any dental treatment, porcelain veneers might not be the right cosmetic solution or you. Today, Pella dentists Dr. Jeffrey Allen and Dr. Denise Neumann discuss some of the benefits and potential drawbacks of veneers.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are comprised of thin caps of porcelain, custom-designed to fit snugly against your natural teeth. They are used to hide a number of cosmetic smile issues, including stubborn enamel stains (specifically, intrinsic stains that do not respond to traditional teeth whitening methods), pitted or chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, and small, misshapen teeth. Even better, most people who have generally good oral health and strong enamel can qualify for this procedure.
Potential Drawbacks of Veneers
In order to place dental veneers, your dentist will first need to remove a tiny layer of enamel from the front surface of your teeth. This is done to help the veneers rest naturally along the gum line and avoid an overly large, “horsey” look. This enamel removal is permanent, and cannot be reversed, even if you decide someday that you no longer want the veneers. In addition, people with weak or thin enamel may not have the structural heft to support veneers, and will need to seek an alternative cosmetic treatment.
Veneer Alternatives
Luckily, even if you do not qualify for veneers, or would prefer a less permanent treatment option, your cosmetic dentist can put together a treatment plan that fits your unique needs. Often, multi-phase treatments, like Invisalign clear orthodontics followed by professional teeth whitening, can achieve similar results to those obtained through veneers.
About Your Pella Dentists
Dr. Jeffrey F. Allen and Dr. Denise Neumann have provided comfortable dental care to patients of all ages since 1996. Their services include gum disease treatment, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a check up or cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions to our Pella dental office.