Are Porcelain Veneers A Good Option For You?

Getting porcelain veneers in Toronto is not your only option for fixing your teeth if you’re unhappy with their colour, shape, stains that can’t be bleached away, inconsistent size, inconsistent spacing, minor chips and cracks or even by their slight crookedness. If veneers aren’t right for you, your dentist can offer options for solving every one of those issues — crowns, whitening and Invisalign are just a few examples. But here’s the power of veneers: Veneers are one of the most economical, most accessible, least invasive and most flexible solutions for solving every one of those issues. 

Dental veneers look a lot like a cross between false fingernails and, well, teeth. Veneers are thin shells made out of porcelain — usually approximately half of a millimetre thick (or thin).  Those small and oh-so-thin pieces of porcelain can be shaped and coloured to match your own healthy and clean teeth completely naturally and discreetly. Dentists and dental laboratories use porcelain to make veneers because it has characteristics very similar to healthy enamel, including how it reflects light. 

Who might not be a good candidate for veneers?

Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth to confirm that you’re a good candidate for veneers. There are some issues that may cause your dentist to recommend alternatives because you may be a poor candidate for veneers:

• If you have gum disease or tooth decay, those issues will have to be resolved before veneers can be placed
• If your teeth are weak because of prior dental work or large cavities, they may not be strong enough to support a veneer (especially if it will be necessary to remove enamel before putting the veneer in place)
• If you have an unusually thin enamel layer on your teeth, veneers may not be appropriate for you (unless you’re a good candidate for prepless veneers)
• If you suffer from waking or sleep bruxism — a condition where you grind your teeth and clench your jaw — veneers may not be right for you because those habits can damage veneers

What’s the process of getting veneers?

While every person’s porcelain veneers near you are different, the typical process of getting dental veneers near you involves two appointments at a dentist in Toronto. Here’s what you can expect. 

First appointment 

Your dentist at a dental clinic near you will assess and measure your teeth precisely to prepare as many veneers as you need to achieve your cosmetic goals. That veneer will fit seamlessly over the top of your tooth and project a perfect and perfectly natural tooth without anyone knowing you’re wearing veneers. Your dentist will guide you through a careful process of choosing the appropriate shape and colour to achieve your goals and blend naturally with your other teeth, and with the rest of your face. 

At this first session, your dentist will also remove some enamel from the teeth to be covered so that the veneers will fit onto them without adding any bulk or protrusions. (In some cases, your dentist can provide prepless veneers that eliminate the need to remove any enamel from your tooth. If you’re concerned about this step, ask your dentist if prepless veneers may be a good option.)

Second appointment 

Your dentist will ensure that your veneers fit perfectly and achieve the goals you discussed with your dentist at your first appointment. Once that has been confirmed, the dentist will bond the veneers securely to your teeth. As long as you care for the underlying tooth carefully and take reasonable precautions to protect those veneers, they’ll remain in place and project your perfect smile for over a decade. 

If you’re curious about the potentially transformative power of veneers for your appearance and life, make an appointment with a dentist near you. Don’t rule yourself out of getting veneers even if you have any of the above-noted issues. Your dentist will work hard to identify solutions for your needs to help you to achieve your goals.