Why are dental veneers often made of porcelain?

Dental veneers solve a variety of aesthetic problems with the smile. These restorations, typically fabricated with porcelain by a cosmetic dentist for veneers, can last many years with proper attention and care. Patients often ask our cosmetic dentists and the team at Summit Dental Group in Boise, Idaho, about using natural-looking porcelain veneers to enhance their smiles. Read on to learn why porcelain is the material of choice for these dental repairs.

What are porcelain veneers?

Our team describes porcelain veneers as wafer-thin shells of ceramic material made to fit over the front surface of a tooth in order to improve its size, shape, and overall appearance. They are bonded directly onto the surface of each tooth using dental cement, creating a beautiful new smile. This cosmetic dental treatment is a reliable and long-lasting way to address imperfections that might make patients feel self-conscious about their appearance when they laugh, talk, and smile in social situations.

Why are veneers made of porcelain?

Materials such as porcelain and ceramic are commonly used in restorative dentistry for many reasons. These materials:

• Are very strong and durable, lasting a decade or longer for many of our patients
• Have a natural, translucent appearance that is similar to the look of natural enamel
• Are stain resistant
• Can be customized with different shades of white or color to match adjacent teeth
• Are highly biocompatible and can bond securely to the underlying tooth structure

Am I a good candidate for porcelain veneers?

Restorations such as veneers are used to improve the smile’s appearance in many different situations. They are a reliable option for many patients who visit our office looking to address imperfections at the front of the smile. The best candidates for veneers are those with minor structural or cosmetic flaws in their teeth and good overall health. To determine if veneers can help improve your smile, our dentists will need to evaluate your oral health and discuss your esthetic goals during a consultation at Summit Dental Group of Boise, Idaho.

What should I expect from the treatment process?

When you come in for porcelain veneers, the first step is preparing the tooth by removing a small portion of the enamel from the surface. We use precise measurements to ensure the final restoration fits perfectly in place and looks natural alongside adjacent teeth. An impression of your teeth is taken and sent to our lab so that a skilled ceramist can custom craft your new restorations using high-quality materials. Then the restoration returns to our office, during which we bond the final veneer in place.

How do I learn more?

If you live in Boise, ID, and want to learn more about porcelain veneers, we invite you to call our office at (208) 314-2275 and visit us at 782 South Americana Boulevard.

We are open to new and current patients and residents of the community who are seeking ways to enhance the natural appearance of their smiles with cosmetic dentistry!