Porcelain veneers will take you to Hollywood! Well, not exactly. You may not know, though, that veneers actually have a Hollywood-based history. In the late 1920s, a California dentist named Dr. Charles Pincus used to place temporary and fake veneers onto actors’ teeth for certain scenes… then remove them once shooting was done. Over fifty years later, the materials and procedures had improved to the point that veneers became a legitimate cosmetic dentistry option for everyone, not just Hollywood luminaries.
Like a lot of cosmetic dentistry options, there are lots myths and misunderstandings out there. As you consider whether porcelain veneers in Edmonton — even 2,800 kilometres from Hollywood — are a good solution for your goals, we want to debunk a few myths.
Veneers do NOT look fake
You and your dentist in Edmonton will work together to choose the perfect colour, size, and shape of your veneers to accomplish your cosmetic dentistry goals, and to blend completely naturally with your gums, lips, remaining teeth, and face. Your dentist will ensure you have all the information you need to keep those veneers looking their best.
Veneers are NOT for everyone
To be a good candidate for porcelain veneers, the underlying tooth should be generally healthy. Any underlying tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, etc. should be successfully treated before veneers are fit on your teeth. The veneers will be bonded to that underlying structure. Anything that weakens that underlying structure will affect the durability of that bond.
Porcelain veneers will NOT stain
Tooth enamel is easily stained by wine, coffee, tea, smoking, infections, and even the side effects of medications. That’s one reason that people often choose veneers, along with size and shape concerns. Porcelain veneers are much more stain resistant than natural teeth enamel. (Veneers made from composite resin materials are less expensive, but much more vulnerable to staining.)
Veneers are NOT just for your upper front teeth
The upper front six teeth are the most common location for veneers because they’re the most visible, and tiny changes to the colour, shape, size, and spacing of those teeth can instantly transform your smile and appearance. Veneers can be placed on other teeth, too, and are often placed on premolars (just ahead of your molars) and on lower teeth for a complete style makeover. Many people consider placing veneers on eight teeth up top, and six teeth down below — all the teeth visible when you laugh, smile, and talk.
You will NOT lose tooth structure
Yes, your teeth have to be prepared before the porcelain shells are placed over your teeth to perfect their appearance. Unless the teeth are prepared, the shell would add thickness and weight — tiny but present — to your teeth. To prevent the addition of that bulk, your dentist in Edmonton will lightly fill away approximately one millimetre of enamel to make room for the veneer. The myth that your tooth will have to be ground down significantly to accommodate that veneer is just that — a myth.
Veneers will NOT weaken your teeth
This one is closely related to the now-busted myth that a lot of tooth material is removed to accommodate veneers. Because that’s not true, your teeth aren’t weakened by the process of fitting veneers. In fact, porcelain is a strong and durable material that can make your teeth stronger than they were before the veneers were placed. Veneers are even strong enough to deal with pressures imposed by the clenching of your jaw and grinding of your teeth as you sleep if you experience sleep bruxism — though your dentist in Edmonton will recommend that you wear a nightguard to protect your teeth and dental work.
If you’re dissatisfied with the colour, shape, size, or spacing of your teeth, porcelain veneers can cover all those imperfections and present the ideal tooth profile to the rest of the world. Veneers may not make you a movie star, but they can help you to achieve your personal cosmetic dentistry goals quickly and easily. To find out if porcelain veneers are a good solution for you, contact a dentist in Edmonton for an assessment.
