Porcelain veneers have a wide range of uses from concealing dental discoloration to decreasing sensitivity after gum tissue recession, porcelain veneers don’t only deliver smiles that look great, they also promote improved oral health. Before we answer the question about whether or not porcelain veneers can give you straight teeth, it’s important to understand just what they are. Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of tooth-colored material that are fitted over the front facing parts of teeth to create a flawless smile with minimal impact to healthy tooth structures. Once in place, porcelain veneers improve the appearance of numerous cosmetic smile flaws, including correcting minor orthodontic concerns.
Why are Porcelain Veneers Sometimes Called Instant Orthodontics?
You may hear porcelain veneers referred to be a number of different names, including dental veneers, tooth veneers, cosmetic veneers, and instant orthodontics. For individuals who have generally healthy, functional smiles with just a few alignment concerns, porcelain veneers can be used to correct the appearance of misaligned teeth without requiring patients to undergo extensive orthodontic treatments. For more serious bite alignment issues, orthodontics may still be recommended, but if you have minor alignment issues, porcelain veneers may be just what you need to skip the orthodontist visits.
Some situations where porcelain veneers may be used to provide instant orthodontic improvements include:
- Teeth that have slightly large spaces between them
- Teeth that are too close together or slightly overlap
- Teeth that are positioned incorrectly (crooked)
How Does Porcelain Veneer Treatment Work?
We offer traditional porcelain veneers and low or no prep veneers. Traditional veneers require us to remove a small amount of surface tooth enamel to allow the porcelain veneer to lay flat within the smile line. Minimal or no prep veneers, as the name implies, are thin enough that we’re able to place them while preserving most, if not all, of your healthy tooth enamel. Not all patients are good candidates for minimal prep veneers, so your cosmetic dentist will help you determine the right treatment option. Whichever type of veneer you choose, we’ll need to prepare your teeth and design the veneers at your first treatment visit. Then, we’ll send the designs to our skilled team of dental lab technicians who flawlessly craft your new smile. Once we receive the porcelain veneers, you’ll return to our office for placement.
Meet the McCarl Dental Group
The McCarl Dental Group team has served families in Greenbelt and surrounding communities since 1924, and we’re looking forward to another century to come. If you’re interested in learning more about porcelain veneers or other smile enhancement and orthodontic treatment options, our skilled cosmetic dentist in Greenbelt is here to help. Get in touch soon to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation where you can learn more about your treatment options. We can’t wait to hear from you.