Anyone who’s felt insecure about their smile knows the challenge of facing the world without a lot of confidence. Whether it starts affecting you at work, in your social life, or simply when you look in the mirror, there’s no getting around the fact that dealing with low self-esteem takes a huge toll on everyday life. Luckily, when it comes to your teeth, dental veneers can solve a big part of the problem. If you’re unhappy with the way your smile looks and you’re finding it’s getting in the way of your life, porcelain veneers can be a perfect answer. They look great, aren’t extremely costly, and don’t involve an invasive surgical procedure to install. In fact, porcelain veneers can end up protecting your teeth in the long run. If you’re looking for a Richmond-area cosmetic dentist to set up a consultation, here are a few things to know about porcelain veneers.
They Help Correct Gaps
Most people aren’t born with a perfectly straight set of pearly whites. That’s why so many of us end up getting dental tools or procedures as adolescents to set our smiles straight, such as braces, retainers, or headgear. However, whether you’re dealt with childhood braces or not, sometimes a gap still remains. In this case, you might want to consider using porcelain veneers to create the appearance of perfectly straight, gap-free teeth. Veneers can also help patients who are older and too self-conscious about wearing braces. They’re also great for patients whose teeth aren’t quite crooked enough to warrant braces but are still imperfect enough to cause low self-confidence or worries about personal appearance. Once veneers are placed on the tooth, they’ll create the look of a flawless white smile with no imperfections or gaps. Since they’re actually molded to your tooth shape and totally customized, you don’t have to worry about veneers looking strange or out of place. You’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of a fully natural-looking yet flaw-free smile.
They Mask Yellowing Teeth
Stained or yellow teeth can be a huge source of stress for people of any age. Not only does it look bad, it makes us feel like we’re somehow not doing enough to maintain better oral hygiene. But yellow teeth don’t just come as a result of our not brushing enough. Stains and yellowing can occur as the result of a number of different behaviors or patterns, such as smoking or even drinking too much coffee. There’s no need to feel bad about stained teeth. When you use veneers, you’re basically getting a makeover for your mouth. You don’t have to worry anymore about expensive whitening strips that barely work, and you can trade in your weekly or monthly trip to get your teeth whitened for a more permanent, long-lasting solution. Porcelain veneers are crafted to look like bone, so you’ll look like you have a beautiful, naturally white smile without any yellowing or aging.
They Even Out the Appearance of Uneven Teeth
Some people feel self-conscious about their teeth not because of their color or spacing, but because of their actual shape. If you feel like your teeth are either too large, too small, or simply too unevenly-placed to look natural in your mouth, veneers can help give you the appearance of a totally even smile without any invasive medical intervention. Veneers are placed over your teeth to create the look of an even, uniform set of teeth. You don’t have to worry about your teeth looking strangely sized or odd for the shape of your mouth. Veneers are customized to look good on you based on the size of your mouth, the color and shape of your teeth, and other elements. Once they’re placed on your teeth, all that unevenness or odd sizing will be gone. You’ll be left with a smile you can be proud showing to the world.
They Protect Your Enamel
One of the greatest benefits of porcelain veneers is their ability to actually work overtime to protect your natural teeth. Veneers don’t just look amazing: They’re bonded to your real teeth to create a tight shield protecting your teeth from extra damage. They’re stain-proof, so you don’t have to worry about the same problems you dealt with with your natural smile. Once they’re inserted, they create a barrier that lets your teeth remain strong and healthy without getting further stained, damaged, or exposed to unhealthy external elements. The porcelain “shell” is thin enough that it won’t feel bulky in your mouth and thick enough to act as a protective guard against damage.