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Porcelain veneers in South Austin can transform a smile that has faded over the years. Veneers are an effective treatment for many cosmetic issues, including stained, widely gapped or uneven teeth. Veneers do require that the underlying teeth are healthy enough to support the restoration. If this is not the case, then the patient may be better off seeking other options.

WHAT ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin layers of a special dental-grade material that creates the appearance of a completely restored and enhanced smile. A cosmetic dentist performs a complete oral exam on the patient and completes a series of digital images. These are sent to the dental lab that will complete the restoration.

Once the veneers arrive at your dentist’s office, you will return for a follow-up appointment in which he or she will make any final adjustments needed to ensure your comfort and complete satisfaction. The final step is to bond the veneers to your teeth using a medical bonding agent. After that, you’ll be ready to show off your new smile to the world.

FOUR BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN VENEERS

Here are four advantages of veneers compared to other types of restoration:

• Veneers treat more than stains and discolorations. They can also disguise teeth spacing and evenness issues. This is a benefit that other approaches, teeth whitening for example, are unable to match.
• Veneers take only a few days from the first appointment to the completion of the treatment. This compares favorably to other types of restoration, which can takes many weeks if not months.
• Veneers can last for years. Once the bonding process is complete, the restoration is fully and securely adhered to the underlying teeth. Many veneers still look great a full decade after they were emplaced.
• Veneers are remarkably easy to care for. Your dentist will probably recommend that you limit consumption of beverages such as colas, coffee, and tea, which can stain the porcelain material from which the restoration is made. You should also brush and floss daily, eat a nutritious diet, avoid stress, exercise, and stay away from all forms of tobacco and vaping products.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR VENEERS?

Veneers are intended for cosmetic purposes only. They cannot correct serious underlying dental health issues that go beyond the patient’s appearance.

This means that your teeth and gums must be healthy enough to support the restoration. If this is not the case, then you may wish to consider other approaches. Dental implants, for example, are one way to restore multiple teeth that have been lost to infection or damage. Other procedures you may wish to consider are crowns and bridges.

In the end, only a qualified cosmetic dentist can recommend the best way to approach your smile enhancement needs. Use the information in this post to be a better informed patient in your own dental care. That’s the best way to ensure that you’ll stay smiling for a very long time to come. We wish you and yours a happy and prosperous 2019.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Fan studied at  New York University College of Dentistry before opening his practice here in Austin. He’s a proud member of the American Dental  Association (ADA) and the Texas Dental Association. You can reach his office online or by calling  (512) 361-4288.