Raleigh Veneers – A Cosmetic Dentistry Option for People in Raleigh NC
When many people hear veneers, especially those who live in Raleigh and know about NC’s background in the furniture industry, they might first think about wood veneers used in furniture manufacturing. For those thinking about smile improvement and wondering about the veneers used in cosmetic dentistry, there are some interesting analogies between furniture veneers and cosmetic dentistry veneers.
What are veneers in cosmetic dentistry?
As in furniture, veneers are thin layers of material that are affixed to the outer surface of a foundation – in this case, your natural teeth. Just like with furniture veneers, there are synthetic resin-based veneers that are made to look like the real thing – they are called composite veneers. Similarly, while the furniture industry offers more expensive real hardwood veneers for those who want the most natural appearance, porcelain veneers are the analogous offering in the world of cosmetic dentistry. (Think of them like you might think of fine porcelain china – durable, long-lasting, prized for their appearance.)
How are composite veneers different from porcelain veneers in appearance?
Think about driving down a street in Raleigh – veneers are probably present on many doors that have a natural wood appearance when you drive past, or the doors might even be solid wood doors. From a distance, one would be hard pressed to tell the difference between those three types of doors. The same can be said about composite veneers, porcelain veneers, and natural teeth. In closer proximity, you can start to discern a difference between composite veneers and porcelain veneers. Composite veneers respond to light differently than porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are more opaque, while porcelain veneers are more translucent – a quality that they share with natural tooth enamel.
Aren’t porcelain veneers fragile?
Porcelain veneers are quite durable, and they are more stain resistant than composite veneers. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to take a reasonable amount of precaution with porcelain veneers. If you do crack a porcelain veneer, your dental provider will not be able to repair it – it must be replaced. However, the “rules” for porcelain veneers are much like the ones you ought to be following for your natural teeth. Chewing ice or other hard objects carries with it a risk of damaging or cracking a porcelain veneer – and of damaging or cracking the enamel on one’s natural teeth. Your Raleigh dental veneers provider can discuss the details and answer any questions you might have about their care. If you have a history of grinding your teeth (or bruxism, in dental terminology), your veneers provider may suggest that you be fitted with a mouth guard to wear regularly at night. The mouth guard can also help protect your other teeth (without veneers) from abusive wear that can affect the health of those teeth.
Why do most people get veneers?
Providers of dental veneers in Raleigh use them for a variety of reasons; most often dental veneers are used for cosmetic (smile) enhancement. Some veneers are certainly used for restorative purposes – for example, if the natural tooth enamel on the fronts of one’s teeth is severely worn down, there is added risk of decay. For cosmetic purposes, veneers are used to improve the appearance of discolored or stained teeth, especially if a tooth whitening process is ineffective due to the condition of the teeth. Other uses include overcoming relatively small gaps in teeth or oddly shaped teeth.
If you think you’re interested in veneers, a Raleigh dentist who is experienced in cosmetic dentistry can discuss with you the best cosmetic dentistry plan – which may or may not include veneers – for your particular situation. Your cosmetic dentistry plan should take into account the condition of your teeth, your goals, and your budget – in order to create the best smile possible for your situation.
