If you want to correct crooked teeth, a stained smile, or gaps between teeth, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of porcelain veneers. Last week, one of my patients asked a very logical question—“Isn’t porcelain used in dishes? Why use this material for dental veneers?” The truth is, the porcelain that our Elmhurst veneers dentists use to create restorations is a little bit different from porcelain used for dishes and sculptures. Today I’d like to explain just a few reasons why porcelain veneers are useful for dental restorations.
Porcelain Mimics Strong Enamel
One primary benefit of porcelain veneers is that porcelain—once bonded to the tooth—acts very much like natural enamel. The elasticity, hardness, and durability of bonded porcelain are all comparable with enamel in many ways. Durable porcelain veneers, therefore, work harmoniously with your natural teeth.
A Radiant Smile
Porcelain is an exceptional material for veneers because it allows light to penetrate dental restorations, allowing them to shine. Because porcelain veneers are not dull and opaque, but rather made of vivid, translucent layers of porcelain, they transmit and refract light similarly to natural teeth. Our Elmhurst veneers dentists create restorations without unsightly black lines and metallic underlayment. This means that your veneers will be sparkling white, and blend seamlessly with your smile—no need to worry about fake looking restorations.
Although initially the word “porcelain” may seem out of place in a dental blog (my patient last week said it made her think of her grandmother’s china!), upon closer inspection porcelain is an advantageous material to use for dental veneers. Because of their strength and natural luminosity, porcelain veneers have helped many Elmhurst patients enjoy beautiful smiles. I hope this blog entry has shed some light on this common question—as always if you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneers, or you’d like to discuss your dental options with our Elmhurst dentists, please give us a call at (630) 733-1624.