Porcelain Veneers in Miami

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Composed of thin ceramic layers, porcelain veneers essentially replace tooth enamel by adhering to a tooth’s outer surface. They’re as permanent as a filling or a crown and can cover a variety of imperfections:

• Color: Veneers can brighten your teeth, even ones especially stubborn to other whitening treatments. They come in a variety of natural-looking shades, so you can match the hue to your existing teeth or take them a step or two brighter.
• Size and shape: Veneers can make chipped teeth look like new again, lengthen teeth that have been shortened because of tooth grinding (also called bruxism), and fix other similar issues. They even can change the shape of your teeth to complement your features better if you’ve always thought your teeth looked too square, too round, too big, or too small for your face.
• Spacing and alignment: Veneers can close small gaps between your teeth and make other minor adjustments in alignment if you don’t want to use braces or if your situation doesn’t quite require them.

Before applying your veneers, our dentist in Miami first will take a mold of your teeth so the veneer has a custom fit and feels natural and comfortable. Depending on the type of veneers used, a small amount of tooth enamel might need to be removed before your veneers are adhered in place. But once they’re attached, they’re virtually worry-free. They won’t stain, shift, or move around while you talk or eat, just give you a radiant smile.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

Both veneers and crowns are made from materials that mimic tooth enamel and are attached to the natural teeth. Both also can change the color, shape, size, and overall appearance of your teeth.

However, the reason for getting a veneer is different than the reason for getting a crown. Veneers are used to hide minor imperfections; it’s a cosmetic dental procedure. Crowns are used to structurally repair a tooth that has been damaged.

While a veneer is only applied to the front of a tooth, a crown (sometimes called a cap) covers the entire tooth down to the gums. Installing a crown involves removing more of your exterior tooth enamel and making a crown the recommended option when the tooth it’s enhancing has been severely damaged by trauma, clenching, grinding, decay, or age. Crowns also are preferred for molars.

Otherwise, a crown is custom-made to fit your teeth, just like a veneer, and has the same permanence. In fact, adhering a crown to a previously weakened or damaged tooth actually helps strengthen the tooth’s structure.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Veneers are designed to be long-wearing, durable options for enhancing the beauty of your teeth. Although their durability varies depending upon proper care, your lifestyle, and the brand of veneers used, they should last for decades if treat them as well as your natural teeth.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers^® are a specific brand of veneers that are ultra-thin and highly translucent. They’re unique in that they require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth, yet they’re also highly durable. Lumineers are known to last more than 20 years. Like other brands, they also look natural, feel comfortable, fit snugly, and resist staining.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

If your veneers cover teeth that were damaged or worn down because of clenching or grinding, you’ll likely need a custom-made night guard to protect them. But for the most part, you care for veneers as you would your natural teeth: brushing and flossing gently each day. That said, even though veneers can be tough, we don’t recommend using your veneer-covered teeth to rip open packages, or biting into very hard foods, such as candy apples.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Miami Today

If you have additional questions about veneers or think they might be right for you, we’re here to help. Our caring staff in Miami is glad to set up an appointment for you to discuss any concerns about using veneers and how they can fit into your dental care. Call us today at (305) 306-9250.