Of all the cosmetic dentistry treatments that are available to enhance the smile, few are as versatile as porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are shell-like prosthetics that cover the front of the teeth to hide a comprehensive range of dental flaws, including minor alignment problems.
Gaps are a common concern for patients with misalignment issues. If the teeth are not aligned properly, patients may have large gaps between some teeth, most often the front teeth. At Fort Bend Dental, we can apply porcelain veneers to conceal gaps for our Missouri City, TX, Richmond, TX, and Fort Bend County patients, so that they enjoy a more uniform looking smile.
Candidates
Porcelain veneers treatment is an effective cosmetic solution for individuals who are looking to improve their smile by addressing imperfections such as discoloration, chips, cracks, or gaps. However, porcelain veneers are not the best option for every patient. When it comes to treating gaps, patients should understand that porcelain veneers are strictly an aesthetic solution. Porcelain veneers conceal gaps, but they cannot close gaps.
In most cases, gaps are superficial concerns that do not affect the health or function of the smile. However, larger gaps may be an indicator of more serious misalignment problems that require orthodontic treatment. Our dental team will examine a patient’s teeth to determine if porcelain veneers offer sufficient treatment for their specific situation.
Porcelain Veneers Treatment
When a patient is an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers, he or she can expect fast and effective treatment. Porcelain veneers treatment is typically completed in just two dental appointments, which are scheduled a few weeks apart.
At the first stage of porcelain veneers treatment, our dental team will design a set of veneers that best meets each of our patient’s unique needs. We are able to customize the size, shape, and color of veneers so that they blend in seamlessly with the natural teeth, while enhancing the overall appearance of the smile.
After the veneers have been designed, we will move on to the preparation process. We will remove a very thin layer of enamel from the teeth so that the porcelain veneers sit flush with adjacent teeth and look like a natural part of the smile. Once the teeth have been prepped, temporary veneers will be put in place until the permanent veneers are complete.
Within a few weeks, the permanent porcelain veneers should be complete and patients can return to our office for the placement process. After testing their fit, porcelain veneers will be bonded to the facial surface of the teeth with a dental compound. The compound acts like a cement, and essentially glues the veneers to the teeth as it hardens.
How Long Will Porcelain Veneers Last?
One of the many benefits of porcelain veneers is their durability. Dental bonding, which is another popular treatment option for gapped teeth, usually lasts around five years. Comparatively, porcelain veneers can last for 15 years or more, provided that our patients care for them properly and maintain good oral hygiene habits.
Contact Us
At Fort Bend Dental, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to improve the appearance of gapped teeth. If you have questions about porcelain veneers treatment or would like to learn more about the other treatments that are available to treat gaps, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or schedule an appointment by calling (281) 336-9899. We serve patients from Missouri City, Richmond, and Fort Bend County.
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