Veneers that are made of porcelain have been available for years. Since their introduction, they have become increasingly reliable and difficult to discern from natural teeth. The popularity of porcelain veneers is largely due to the effectiveness of the devices at correcting cosmetic dental issues.

If you are not pleased with the look of your teeth, veneers may be the perfect application for you. Dental veneers can be used to help minimize gaps between the teeth. In addition, they can even be used to make moderately crooked teeth appear straight and uniform.

Here is a bit of information about veneers to help you determine if they really are right for you:

How Are Veneers Placed?

Before a dental veneer can be applied, the size of the tooth that will be covered must be slightly adjusted. Unlike the placement of a dental crown, a dental veneer only requires a minimal reduction in tooth material. This is important because with a dental veneer application, the underlying tooth is often healthy. As a result, a severe reduction in the size of the tooth is not preferred.

To prepare a tooth for a veneer, the dentist removes a small layer of the tooth material. This tiny bit of tooth enamel helps the veneer fit seamlessly in the mouth. Once the tooth is prepared, the veneer is bonded to the front of it.

The size and color of the veneer are matched to the needs of the patient. The size of a veneer may need to be slightly larger if it is being used to help fill a dental gap or to increase the tooth size to better match a patient's mouth and facial structure.

What Corrections Can a Veneer Make?

Veneers can correct a number of tooth abnormalities and blemishes. Here are a few of them:

• Dental stains, whether permanent or not
• Surface cracks in a tooth
• Odd tooth shapes
• Chips in a tooth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Minor misalignments

To find out whether or not veneers are suitable for your needs, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in your local areas. The dentist can assess your teeth and help determine the shape and color of the veneers that will best fit your face. If veneers are right from you, the dentist may apply temporary veneers before the final application to confirm that the veneers and your smile are as attractive as possible.