Think your crooked teeth or gapped smile can only be fixed with metal braces? Think again. For certain situations, you may not even need orthodontic treatment at all. In fact, porcelain veneers, one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments, can often be used as “instant orthodontics.” Here’s a closer look at what veneers are and what they can be used for. A short consult at Grateful Dental can determine if you can avoid braces and get veneers instead!
Candidates for Instant Orthodontics with Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are wafer-thin, tooth-shaped shells of porcelain that are customized in color and size to fit your smile. They are used to hide a wide variety of dental imperfections, including discoloration, chips, small teeth and misshapen teeth. When used as instant orthodontics, porcelain veneers can cover up the alignment issues that have been holding you back from a confident smile. In as little as two office visits, veneers can be applied to make your smile appear straight, balanced and attractive. Some common orthodontic issues that veneers can address include:
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Disproportionate teeth
Keep in mind that veneers are purely cosmetic, so they are only used on the front teeth or the teeth that are visible when you smile. However, these are typically the areas that cause the most concern, such as a small front tooth gap or slightly crooked tooth.
What Is the Treatment Process for Instant Orthodontics?
Once Dr. Porcaro determines that you are a good candidate for instant orthodontics using porcelain veneers, the treatment process can begin. This includes a first visit to prepare the front teeth for veneer placement, which means shaving off a tiny layer of the tooth’s enamel. This helps the veneer strongly bond to the underlying tooth as well as helps it feel smooth and not bulky. During this visit, you can also expect a series of dental impressions so that we can let a dental lab custom craft each veneer. You’ll leave this appointment with temporary veneers until your permanent veneers are ready. A second appointment will then be required to place your final set of veneers. It is a short and painless appointment that instantly and drastically transforms your smile.
The Valued Benefits of Instant Orthodontics
When compared to traditional orthodontic treatment, there are many benefits of choosing porcelain veneers. Instant orthodontics with veneers for those who do not want to sacrifice the time, discomfort and embarrassment of months in metal braces as an adult.
By choosing porcelain veneers to create a straighter smile, you’ll enjoy the following perks:
- Immediate results: We are talking days or weeks for your new smile with veneers compared to months or years in braces.
- Comfortable: Porcelain veneers are fabricated to feel just like your natural teeth. You can expect optimal comfort while wearing them and full everyday dental function.
- Painless Treatment: Instant orthodontic treatment using cosmetic veneers is virtually painless. The application itself does not induce discomfort and you won’t have to worry about frequent office visits for tightening and adjustments like you would with braces.
- Easy maintenance: Porcelain veneers are easy to care for. In fact, they demand the same level of care that you give your natural teeth.
- Improved aesthetics: Instant orthodontics improves the appearance of crooked teeth, but it also enhances the look of the color, size and shape of the teeth for an overall improved smile.
When Traditional Orthodontics is Better
Porcelain veneers for instant orthodontics is definitely not for every patient. Certain structural problems within your teeth can cause pain, overcrowding or make brushing and flossing more difficult. It may be time to consider braces or Invisalign if you suffer from the following:
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- A lisp or other speech challenges
- Accidental biting of the cheek or tongue
- Abnormal teeth that make it difficult to close your mouth or lips
- Imbalanced or asymmetrical facial features
At Grateful Dental, we never want to ignore issues within your bite or alignment problems that can compromise your oral health. In such cases, we may actually need to move your teeth into better position. Fortunately, our office offers both short-term orthodontics and Invisalign to make the process more inviting. Call our Marietta dental team today to learn how easy it can be to achieve a straight and beautiful smile at any age!
