Porcelain veneers are used for a variety of reasons in cosmetic dentistry. Most commonly they can be used to restore the structural and aesthetic integrity of a tooth that is chipped, cracked or broken. In most instances, the dentist will attempt to repair a damaged tooth with dental bonding but if the damage sustained is so severe as to pose a risk of further injury or possibly tooth loss, it will need to be protected by a veneer. Porcelain veneers are now also commonly used to improve the aesthetic appearance of badly worn, discoloured or unevenly spaced teeth.
Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that are manufactured to fit over existing teeth. With recent advances in technology, they can now be produced with the aid of the very latest 3D imaging and digital x-rays. Dentists can use a digital three-dimensional image to produce a veneer that is accurate to microscopic degrees of accuracy. The same computer technology can be used in the manufacturing process meaning that veneers can be produced to similar levels of accuracy. Veneers are becoming increasingly lifelike and can be produced with a translucent quality that closely resembles tooth enamel.
Also, as today’s porcelain veneers become thinner, it reduces the amount of preparation work required to the patient’s tooth. This previously involved chipping away some of the enamel to accommodate bonding cement and a veneer so it did not appear too big. Modern veneers can fit over teeth with minimal preparation and can even fit over existing dental work.
Porcelain veneers are very versatile and useful tools in cosmetic dentistry. They can be used to repair and save damaged teeth and when used for more cosmetic purposes can radically improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth in only one afternoon. As the technology continues to improve, veneers increasingly become the option of choice for dentists and patients. Ask a Leeds dentist about how porcelain veneers could improve the appearance of your teeth.
