Porcelain Veneers, Dental Veneers, Cosmetic Dentistry

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers or porcelain laminates, are wafer-thin custom made shells of porcelain that are bonded onto the front side of teeth to create a cosmetic improvement for a tooth or teeth. Porcelain veneers are routinely used by dentists as a way to make cosmetic changes for teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned.

One of the biggest advantages to Porcelain Veneers is the ability to match and look like a natural tooth. If you have a discolored, chipped or worn tooth or teeth be sure to ask Dr Murray to explain the Porcelain Veneer Option to improve your smile. Sometimes this procedure is a better option to removing a tooth. One other thing to remember is that Porcelain Veneers are a cosmetic procedure and is usually not covered by most dental insurance plans.

What Types of Problems Do Veneers Fix?

Although there are different types of Veneers such as porcelain and resin type materials, all Veneers are routinely used to fix:

• Teeth that are discolored – either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth.
• Teeth that are worn down - either from grinding or age.
• Teeth that are chipped or broken.
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them).
• Teeth with gaps between them - Veneers can be used to close the space between these teeth.

All procedures should be discussed with Dr Murray or your dentist to make sure it is right for you. This information is not always a correct fix for your particular dental issue.