Porcelain veneers are the greatest innovation in the world of cosmetic dentistry. These dental laminates are wafer thin and are made from shells that are matched to the human tooth colour. They are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance and correct the dentition when necessary. These veneers are bonded to the existing tooth to change the shape, colour or size.

There are two types of dental veneers available. There are veneers made of resin composite materials and there are veneers made with porcelain. The ones made with porcelain have the same reflecting properties as the human teeth and are more stain resistant.

What are porcelain veneers used for?

There are many dental problems that these veneers are used to correct. The routine application of porcelain veneers in dentistry includes the following applications.

Repairing teeth that are worn out: The enamel of the tooth corrodes eventually due to various reasons. In such cases, to avoid further damage, porcelain veneers are used.

Conceal discolored teeth: In case the tooth is discolored due to external factors like a root canal treatment, use of tobacco or other drugs and excessive exposure to fluorides, a porcelain veneer may be used to conceal it.

Align the dentition: When the teeth are misaligned either naturally, due to accidents or other causes, porcelain veneers are recommended as a long term solution.

Close the gaps between teeth: Sometimes, the teeth have large gaps between them making chewing difficult and the appearance unpleasant. Besides, food particles tend to get launched in between teeth and trigger rotting. In such cases a porcelain veneer may be recommended to fix the problem.

How is a porcelain veneer fixed?

The first step is to diagnose. In this procedure, the existing problem is diagnosed thoroughly and the appropriate type of veneer is chosen. It is also necessary to examine the condition of the teeth and understand if a veneer is suited for the tooth. This procedure may also include x-rays to study your dentition.

After diagnosis, the tooth is prepared for a veneer. A part of the enamel equal to the thickness of the veneer is trimmed. An impression or model of your tooth is sent to the dental laboratory to create a veneer that will fit correctly. In case the fit of the veneer is not up to the mark, the existing tooth may be trimmed a little more to make small adjustments.

After examining the size and the fit of the new veneer on your tooth, it is bonded using dental cement and a special light beam. The tooth is polished and any additional cement or veneer is trimmed off. The bite is then evaluated to ensure that the veneer is fixed comfortably. You may be called once again to check the placement of the veneer.

Porcelain veneers Perth services are ideal for those who are looking for a cosmetic improvement of the appearance of their teeth. It is important to consult your dentist first before you take any decision. If the veneer is not recommended, you can look for alternate corrective procedures.