Porcelain veneers are a versatile tooth restoration that can correct a number of functional and cosmetic problems. Older patients often experience a lot of wear and tear on their teeth, and veneers can help rebuild the tooth structure to restore a normal bite. Veneers can also cover and correct teeth that are discolored, stained, pitted, fractured, or misshapen.
Veneers are paper-thin porcelain laminates that are bonded to the fronts of the teeth to correct their size, shape, and esthetics. Made of natural-looking ceramic materials, veneers are designed by Dr. Lee to match the coloration of your surrounding teeth and mimic their luminous sheen.
Dr. Lee begins the veneer process by removing a very small amount—about half a millimeter—of tooth enamel on the fronts of the teeth being treated. This process creates a space for your veneers. An impression of your teeth will be made to create a mold that Dr. Lee will send to a dental lab, where your veneers will be made. After your custom veneers are returned from the lab, Dr. Lee will check them to ensure that they are the proper shape and color. As he has an onsite dental laboratory, he can make adjustments to your restorations as necessary before permanently bonding them to your teeth.
In cases where cosmetic bonding or porcelain crowns may also be used to correct damaged or imperfect teeth, what makes veneers a more desirable option? Bonding is a quick and cost-effective treatment to correct many of the same imperfections, but the composite resin material used for bonding is not as durable or long lasting as the hard porcelain used for veneers, which typically last 10 to 15 years longer. Crowns, which cover the entire tooth, require much more reduction of healthy tooth structure to place than veneers. Holding onto more natural tooth structure is always desirable, and veneers only require a small amount of enamel removal on the front surfaces of teeth, keeping most of the tooth intact.
To experience the benefits of modern general dentistry and prosthodontics in Coppell, TX, contact Dr. Heeje Lee at (972) 315-0811. Evergreen Dental welcomes patients from Coppell, Lewisville, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Irving, and the nearby communities.