Many people who have cosmetic concerns with their teeth, such as gaps, cracks, or discoloration may consider extensive dental procedures to correct these problems. For some patients, porcelain dental veneers might be a great option to take care of multiple cosmetic issues all at once.
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of dental porcelain that is permanently bonded to the tooth to improve the shape, color, size, and position of teeth. New Bern dentist Dr. J Stephen Hoard can use these veneers to correct small gaps between teeth, visually improve alignment, enhance tooth color, repair cracks or chips, or even reshape or lengthen teeth.
Over time, our teeth become less white, thanks to wine, coffee, and other pigmented foods. Teeth are porous, and the pigments in our food can stain them, making your smile less bright. Dental veneers are more stain-resistant than our own teeth, so instead of multiple whitening procedures, you might want to consider asking Dr. Hoard if dental veneers might be right for you.
Dental veneers can also help hide minor misalignment or gaps between your teeth without the need for extensive orthodontic treatment. Since veneers are placed on top of existing teeth and customized to every individual, Dr. Hoard can design the veneers to hide any small gaps, cracks, or minor misalignment.
Unlike crowns, where a significant portion of your tooth is removed or altered, veneers only require a small part of the tooth to be removed. To place a veneer on your tooth, some of the outer layers of enamel is removed, and the veneer is placed on top. You get to keep your natural teeth and fix several cosmetic issues at once.
Dr. Hoard will consult with you to help you determine whether veneers are right for you, but there are some situations where other options are better. For example, if you’re prone to grinding your teeth, you may want to see if in-office or at-home teeth whitening would work better for you. Cosmetic bonding is an alternative option for hiding minor gaps or chipped teeth.
To learn more about whether porcelain veneers are right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Hoard and our dental care team. Call 252.507.0373 or schedule an appointment online today.