Noncosmetic Reasons to Consider Veneers

A dental veneer is a custom-made porcelain shell that covers the front of a tooth. The popularity of dental veneers has soared as people have discovered that veneers are an effective way to improve the way their teeth look. However, veneers are about more than just appearance. There are also plenty of noncosmetic reasons to consider custom dental veneers.

At Allure Dental Care of Maple Lawn in Fulton, Maryland, our dedicated dental professionals recognize the value of using veneers to improve your appearance and brighten your smile. But we also want you to understand some of the ways in which dental veneers can have a positive impact on your dental health.

Below we outline three benefits of dental veneers.

Strong shell

A dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell made from porcelain, a ceramic material that has a strength and appearance that’s similar to a tooth’s natural dental enamel. Your veneers are designed to match the color of your existing teeth, so they blend right in with your mouth.

Here at Allure Dental Care of Maple Lawn, we use porcelain for veneers because it’s a very strong, stain-resistant material.

Your dental veneer is bonded (permanently attached) to your tooth. A veneer does a terrific job of covering misshapen teeth, cracks, chips, and gaps. 

Reinforcement for week teeth

Because porcelain is so strong, applying a porcelain dental veneer to a weak tooth can make it stronger. Weak teeth are prone to cracking and chipping, but reinforcing them with a veneer increases their functionality.

When teeth crack, the opening in the tooth’s enamel can allow bacteria to enter the tooth. Bacteria within a tooth can cause tooth decay (cavities) and infections that can become quite serious. 

Even the tiniest of cracks can serve as a pathway for bacteria to invade the tooth. Over time, decay and infection can require a root canal or even an extraction.

Having a veneer bonded over a crack seals up the crack and helps prevent bacteria from entering the vulnerable core of a tooth.

Protection for damaged enamel

Enamel is the hard, protective layer on the outside of your teeth. Your tooth enamel helps protect the inside of your tooth from infection and decay.

Tooth enamel can be thin and weak. This can occur because of your dental genetics, or it can happen as a result of exposure to environmental factors, such as sugary foods, cigarette smoke, wear and tear, certain medications, or acid reflux.

Dental veneers can shore up damaged enamel, protecting you from infection and decay caused by oral bacteria. Porcelain is resistant to erosion, which means your veneer tooth surfaces are stronger than your natural enamel.

Veneers for dental health

Whether you’re looking to improve your appearance or boost your dental health, the experienced team at Allure Dental Care of Maple Lawn can provide you with the custom veneers you’re looking for. To schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, call our office or book an appointment online.