Porcelain Veneers for Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth can cause a number of dental problems. Even a minor gap or slightly crooked tooth can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile. You may think that orthodontic treatment is the answer, but it’s possible to treat crooked teeth with porcelain veneers.
Dr. Eugene D. Stanislaus and Dr. Lisa Reid have helped patients in Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and other Brooklyn neighborhoods achieve dazzling smiles using veneers. Let’s consider how porcelain veneers work and why they may be the treatment you need for a straighter, more attractive smile.
How Porcelain Veneers Work
A porcelain veneer is a thin porcelain shell that conceals the front of a tooth. A small amount of tooth enamel is removed so that the veneer can fit onto the flawed tooth. An impression is taken of the tooth, allowing the veneer to be custom crafted and fit for the patient’s smile.
The veneer is fabricated at a dental lab, shipped to our office, and then adhered in place during a dental appointment. The porcelain veneer blends in seamlessly with the rest of the teeth, hiding a variety of aesthetic flaws from view.
Porcelain Veneers and Misaligned Teeth
Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for people who suffer from the following flaws involving tooth misalignment:
- Tooth gaps
- Spacing issues
- Twisted teeth
- Uneven tooth size
- Smile asymmetry
As long as the tooth misalignment is cosmetic in nature, porcelain veneers are a worthwhile option to treat minor aesthetic flaws. The number of veneers needed can be determined during your consultation at Brooklyn Heights Dental.
The Results of Porcelain Veneer Treatment
Thanks to porcelain veneer treatment, dentists can eliminate a patient’s cosmetic issues with tooth gaps or crooked teeth. Since porcelain veneers are semi-translucent, they are virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth structure. Even up close and in artificial light, people will not realize that you have porcelain veneers in place.
The veneers are durable and can last a long time with proper care. Porcelain veneers have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, at which point they can be replaced so patients can continue to have a revitalized smile.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Orthodontics
Porcelain veneers tend to be a better option than orthodontic treatment when patients suffer from just minor tooth misalignment.
Orthodontic care can take months or even years to complete. Wearing braces can make you feel self-conscious, and the brackets and wires make it more difficult to brush and floss properly.
Porcelain veneers can be placed in two dental visits about two weeks apart. The speed and results of porcelain veneers treatment has led some people to nickname veneers “instant orthodontics.”
When Should Patients Consider Orthodontics Instead?
While porcelain veneers are quite effective for minor and cosmetic tooth misalignment, sometimes patients require orthodontic care instead. Generally speaking, orthodontics is more ideal when patients suffer from significant malocclusion that affects dental health.
During your consultation with our dentists, we can assess whether you’d benefit more from porcelain veneers or orthodontic care.
Learn More about Porcelain Veneers
For more information about porcelain veneers and your many other options for treating crooked teeth, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our dentists online or call Brooklyn Heights Dental at (718) 857-6639.