Smiles are as unique as our fingerprints and no two people present with the same bite. The uniqueness of our pearly whites can be a blessing for some and a curse for others, as crooked teeth that appear darker in colour can be the unique characteristic that plagues some patients. Correcting minor imperfections such as colour and mild tooth misalignment doesn’t always have to be a lengthy or costly endeavour as modern cosmetic dental treatments are able to instantly mask undesirable characteristics that detract from a smile.
Dental Veneers – Improving Smile Aesthetics
Not everyone is blessed with whiter-than-white teeth that line up perfectly. In fact, based on the amount of orthodontics worn by teenagers and adults, it may be fair to say that the perfect smile often has to be created with the assistance of dental treatment. But, while orthodontics only fixes a bad bite and crooked placement, dental veneers are able to improve the shape, size, position, and colour of teeth. In other words, veneers offer an affordable alternative to orthodontics for improving a smile without all the wires and brackets.
What are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are paper-thin porcelain or ceramic shells that fit over the surface of anterior (front and canine) teeth. The porcelain creates a more uniformed look by balancing colour imperfections along with shape, size, and angle of the teeth. Primarily considered to be used for cosmetic purposes, dental veneers can actually improve bite imperfections by restoring length to teeth that are shorter due to positioning or trauma to dental tissue. Having an even bite also improves tooth-to-tooth function and assists with biting and chewing of food.
Porcelain Veneers Provide a Conservative Treatment Option
While the cosmetic benefits of veneers shouldn’t be overlooked, they also offer another benefit: their conservative nature. Unlike a dental crown, which requires more significant preparation of natural tooth structure, the thinness of a dental veneer means that it can be adhered directly to a tooth with minimum removal of natural tissue. Often, your dentist will merely roughen the enamel to enable the veneer to be cemented. This means more natural tooth structure can remain, and in the future, your dental treatment options won’t be limited.
Dental Veneers can be a great option for patients wanting to improve their smile and can be completed in just a couple of appointments. If the colour, shape, or position of front teeth are causing you to frown, talk to the General Dentists at Discover Dental about veneers or call us at (403) 285-0222.