Teeth take a terrible beating; even with the best oral care and routine checkups teeth will become discolored, chipped, wear down and small surface imperfections will appear. In many cases the teeth are still strong, free of disease and perfectly capable of lasting for many more years; but they have lost their original beauty.
There are several ways to deal with this problem, one solution that many patients are turning to is having porcelain veneers fitted. Porcelain veneers in Downers Grove are extremely thin shells that are custom made to fit the visible surface of teeth. Once the dentist prepares the teeth, these wafer thin shells are fixed to the front of the teeth using special dental adhesive. Porcelain veneers can be used to change the color, shape or size of teeth.
When are porcelain veneers used?
Porcelain veneers can be used to fix a number of problems, including:
- Discolored teeth, perhaps as a result of large fillings or root canal treatment
- Teeth which have worn down with age and use
- Teeth which are chipped or have surface cracks
Veneers can also be used to close gaps between teeth and to a certain extent; they can improve the appearance of teeth which are slightly misaligned.
How does the dentist fit porcelain veneers?
There is not a great deal to the procedure, it usually requires two visits to the dentist. The first visit is when the dentist will prepare the teeth and take impressions that are used to produce the veneers. The second visit is dedicated to fitting the veneers and making any minor adjustments that may be necessary.
The benefits of porcelain veneers:
Porcelain veneers in Downers Grove are strictly for cosmetic purposes; there are many reasons why patients have them fitted:
- The tooth appearance is perfectly natural
- Stain resistant
- The color can be chosen, dark teeth can be made to appear whiter
Teeth which have been fitted with porcelain veneers require no special care; just maintain your current habit of daily brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.
