As we grow older our teeth start to show the signs of use. Let’s face it, unless you’re someone who checks and double checks every mouthful of food that goes into your mouth, occasionally things get through that can damage teeth. Whether its an occasional soft drink, hard nuts or even the occasional piece of chocolate, they can cause damage, especially over a long period of time. Teeth discolor, chip, or show others signs of wear. Veneers are one way to cover those tell tale signs of wear and they leave your teeth looking bright and shiny again.

Veneers are very thin slices of porcelain or plastic that are glued to the surface of your teeth. Unlike many other forms of cosmetic dentistry, veneers generally don’t require any tooth reshaping. Your tooth will require a thorough clean first to ensure there are no harmful substances trapped between the tooth and the veneer.

If your dentist considers a veneer to be the best option, a mold is taken of the tooth and a veneer produced to match that mold. The veneer is then fixed to your tooth, effectively giving it a brand new cover. Porcelain veneers are long wearing with most patients getting 15 or more years from them. The typical time frame is 10-15 years. They have the added benefit of being virtually stain free.

If you have discoloration problems with your teeth, or they have chips or fine pitting, discuss the option of porcelain veneers with your dentist. They are not as costly as some of the alternate procedures yet they can add decades to your tooth’s longevity. They can certainly bring back that brilliant smile of years gone by.

Tags: porcelain veneers, tooth discoloration