Porcelain Veneers & Alternative Treatments

What are Porcelain Veneers? Why are They so Popular?

Porcelain Veneers on front 8 teeth

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelains Veneers are thin, cosmetic restorations which sit on top of front teeth to correct imperfections in your smile. They have several major functions:

• Giving you perfectly shaped teeth
• Straightening out slightly crooked teeth
• A permanent white smile!

In fact, Porcelain Veneers are the benchmark of smile makeover and cosmetic dentistry. If your goal is to have a perfectly white and straight smile, chances are Porcelain Veneers are the right solution for you.

Why are Porcelain Veneers so Popular with Cosmetic Dentists?

There are lots that Porcelain Veneers can do. By placing Porcelain Veneers on your front teeth, you can change the shape and color of your front teeth. They can correct stains, cracks and damaged front teeth which are visible when you smile. Sometimes you can even straighten slightly crooked teeth by placing multiple Porcelain Veneers on your front teeth. It's true, you can make your teeth as beautiful, white and straight as you’d like with Porcelain Veneers!

Alternative Treatments to Porcelain Veneers

The most common alternatives are Composite Veneers (Bonding), Ceramic Crowns and Lumineers. Nevertheless, Porcelain Veneers are generally the preferred choice for most people, as explained below:

Why Porcelain Veneers are Preferred over Bonding

Bonding is a white filling placed on the visible surfaces of front teeth. The problem with bonding is that white fillings stain and chip over time, whereas Porcelain Veneers never change color and rarely break. In essence, bonding is considered more of a temporary fix whereas Porcelain Veneers can last a lifetime.

Why Porcelain Veneers are Preferred over Crowns

The basic difference between Porcelain Veneers and ceramic crowns is that dental veneers require much less tooth removal than crowns do. Basically, to prepare a tooth for Porcelain Veneer, your dentist removes far less tooth structure as compared to a crown. As a result, your tooth is less likely to break or become infected over time. Since Porcelain Veneers are far more conservative than crowns, they are generally the preferred choice when addressing strictly cosmetic concerns.

Why are Porcelain Veneers are Preferred over Lumineers

Lumineers are thin, porcelain coverings which sit on top of front teeth which are very similar in design to Porcelain Veneers. The major difference between the two is that you don’t need to shave teeth to place Lumineers on them. This may sound like a much better solution, but there are a few major setbacks. Lumineers typically make your teeth look too big, since no tooth structure is removed. Plus, they tend to break more frequently and have high complications. Ultimately, only a small percentage of people do better with Lumineers as compared to Porcelain Veneers.

Conclusion

Porcelain Veneers are among the most sought after cosmetic treatments to enhance and beautify your smile. Of course, there are indications for alternative treatments such as the ones listed above. For instance, if your budget is limited, then bonding is a better choice for you. If you have a heavy bite, tons of existing restorations or a serious grinding habit, crowns are a better option. Finally, if you don’t want to shave your teeth under any circumstances, Lumineers are your best bet. Having said that, the majority of cosmetic dental treatments are done using Porcelain Veneers. With its combination of aesthetics, conservatism and versatility, Porcelain Veneers make an excellent choice for enhancing your smile. To learn more about cosmetic dental treatments, schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Jazayeri today.

Brush 'n Floss Yo Teeth!

Ali John Jazayeri, DDS