The use of Cosmetic porcelain veneers is a very common way that many Michigan residents choose to enhance their smiles. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of beautiful porcelain that is fabricated in a dental laboratory. They are about the thickness of a credit card and are very fragile when handled. When they are bonded to the natural tooth they become incredibly strong and are about as strong as your natural teeth. Every attempt is to keep the shaping of the teeth as conservative as possible. Lumineers are a name brand for a type of porcelain and placing them on teeth gives a natural look.
The following is an example what laminate veneers are used for:
- Straightening crooked teeth by filling in the areas that are pushed in and in areas where the teeth are protruding slightly more tooth reduction is necessary. The idea is to get the teeth to look uniform when looking at someone straight on or to the side.
- Darkened teeth can be made whiter. This is done by reducing some of the thickness of the natural tooth and thickening it up with whiter porcelain. The same principle applies when Formica is placed over a kitchen top. Any malformations are covered up by this thin film so no one will know the difference.
- Missing teeth can be filled in with a fixed bridge made of the same porcelain as the veneer. This is a very natural and conservative approach to a beautiful smile when a tooth is missing.
- To close spaces between teeth. This is very common and by making the tooth slightly wider the spaces can be closed up, giving a beautiful result.
Porcelain veneers last many many years, are conservative, keep the teeth the same bright white color and don’t stain like bonding. Call Shelby Township, Michigan Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Antolak at (586)247-3500 for a free dental consultation to see if porcelain veneers are right for you.