A healthy smile is certainly an asset. Unfortunately, this is not the case with people who have crooked, discoloured, or chipped teeth. If you’re one of them, then you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to improve your smile, and one of them is veneers, specifically ones made of porcelain. That said, how exactly does a porcelain veneer help improve our smiles?
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Before that, let us first talk about what porcelain veneers are and whether or not they are for you. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are shaped accordingly to fit the front part of your teeth. They are strong, natural-looking, and are designed to match your teeth’s shape and colour. While everyone can benefit from using veneers, the dentists at Dental Designs Clinic recommend them to those who want to correct dental issues such as crowding and other bite-related problems. There’s also the fact that porcelain veneers are costly in Singapore.
On average, you can expect to pay around SGD1,000 per tooth for veneers in Singapore. However, you can expect them to last for around 7-10 years, so they’re definitely a worthwhile investment, especially since they help you maintain good oral health. Now that you’ve known a bit about porcelain veneers and their average cost, then it’s time we talk about how they can help improve our smiles:
1. They Whiten Your Smile
While a lot of individuals can benefit from teeth whitening, there are some who have an adverse reaction to whitening agents. If you had too much fluoride when you’re still a kid, then teeth whitening products might not be effective for you at all. However, a porcelain veneer can cover up those stains and improve your teeth, giving you that bright-white smile almost instantly!
Additionally, veneers have a higher resistant to stain compared to the teeth’s natural enamel. This allows them to stay white for a longer time.
2. They Can Cover Up Any Flaws on Your Teeth
A lot of Singaporeans turn to porcelain veneers as part of their comprehensive smile makeover plan. After all, they are capable of treating a lot of dental issues such as crooked, chipped, misaligned, or cracked teeth all at once. Aside from that, they can also close any gaps between teeth.
3. They Can Straighten Your Teeth
Another benefit with porcelain veneers is that they can straighten your teeth, thereby giving you a straighter smile without the need to go through the pain and hassles that the typical dental braces provide. Apart from that, they can even strengthen weakened or damaged teeth, even keep them protected from further damage. However, porcelain veneers only work best on minor misalignments. If you’re suffering from severe misalignment which affects your bite or even your entire oral health, then it’s best to go for an orthodontic treatment instead.
4. They Can Eliminate Gummy Smiles
Porcelain veneers can also be beneficial for people whose gums tend to take over their smiles. Since each set of veneers is custom-made to match the shape of your mouth and give you that smile you desire, they will be able to balance your smile, allowing you to show more teeth and less gum.
5. They Make You Look Younger
It’s no secret that a healthy smile can define how old we look. That said, if you want to look years younger, then having a porcelain veneer can be a good way to go about it. With veneers, you can get that celebrity smile and achieve that younger-looking appearance instantly. It’s for this reason why it’s popular among Singaporeans and most Hollywood stars!
What to Expect During a Veneer Procedure
Compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, veneers involve a quick and simple procedure that only requires three visits to your dentist. During your first visit, your dental provider in Singapore will evaluate your dental condition then determine if veneers are right for you.
During the second visit, your dentist will prepare your teeth then take impressions in order to create a custom veneer for you. The preparation stage includes moving 0.5mm of enamel from your tooth’s surface, thereby providing more room for the veneer. Your dentist will help you decide if you want to numb the area with a local anaesthetic before the preparation begins. After that, your dentist will then create a model of your tooth or teeth then send the said model to a dental laboratory to custom-make your veneers.
On average, it will take around 2-4 weeks to create the veneers before they’re sent back to your dentist. While you wait for them to deliver the veneers, your dentist may recommend placing temporary veneers, especially if you have unsightly teeth you want covered.
The third and final visit will include bonding the veneers to your teeth. Before they’re permanently bonded, your dentist will first place them temporarily on your teeth to check if they match the shape and colour of your mouth. After that, he will then move and trim the veneer in order to achieve a secure fit. He will also clean, polish, and etch your tooth’s surface. The etching process will help roughen the surface so that the cement can strongly bond your tooth and veneer. He will then use a special light beam then apply it on the veneer to activate the chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden quickly.
Lastly, your dentist will then remove any excess cement and make any necessary adjustments.
How You Can Take Care of Your Veneers
Once you have a successful veneer procedure, you want to make sure that you treat them as carefully as if they are your own teeth. Make sure you maintain proper oral hygiene and use a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth free of decay without causing adverse reactions on your veneers.
Conclusion
Dental porcelain veneers are perfect for those who have misalignment issues, cracked or chipped teeth, or perhaps dental stains. While the cost of a porcelain veneer procedure in Singapore can be relatively higher than the neighbouring countries, its long-lasting effect and overall quality make it quite an excellent investment, especially considering that good dental health equates to good overall health. If you're uncertain about whether or not you may need a veneer or a crown for your teeth issue, don't hesitate to see a dentist. Waiting only makes things worse.
You can get in touch with the dentists at Dental Designs Clinic here:
Address: 120 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068589
Phone: +65 6221 8284