Porcelain veneers – how to get a Hollywood smile

Have you ever wondered why celebrities all seem to have perfect, dazzling smiles? Do they eat a no-sugar diet? Were they just born lucky? The chances are that neither of these is the reason for their perfect Hollywood smiles, and more likely, they owe them to their porcelain veneers. If you are looking to achieve a bright, uniform smile, then you should consider porcelain veneers. Dr Mark Hughes, an award-winning cosmetic dentist, explains how porcelain veneers work, how they can be used, and the pros and cons of this dental treatment.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, translucent shells made of porcelain and allow the restoration of teeth affected by chips, gaps, tooth wear, misalignments and discolouration. The great thing about porcelain veneers is that they mimic the appearance of teeth so well and can be custom-shaded to your very own tooth colour. They are also long-wearing and can last a very long time.

What can porcelain veneers treat?

Veneers can be used to mask dental flaws that are preventing you from having the smile that you want. The veneers are bonded onto the front of your own teeth and can improve the following problems:

• Shape – if you have chipped or cracked teeth, veneers are made to fit exactly to your own teeth, and once in place will hide such structural damage.
• Colour – porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and can produce a brighter, whiter smile for teeth that have been stained or discoloured by wine, coffee, cigarettes and ageing.
• Symmetry – veneers can produce a smile that is not marred by gaps, misalignments, or different sized teeth, but uniform.

Pros of porcelain veneers:

• bespoke and custom-made for your teeth
• beautiful results
• stain-resistant
• quicker than braces
• improve teeth colouring

Cons of porcelain veneers:

• irreversible
• high cost
• will require replacements eventually
• possible risk of sensitivity or nerve damage
• some tooth reduction is often required in preparation
• highly skilled dentist and technician required

Alternative treatments to porcelain veneers:

• orthodontics (braces, Invisalign)
• teeth whitening
• crowns (or caps)
• cosmetic bonding
• composite veneers

If you are interested in having porcelain veneers, Dr Mark Hughes is able to provide excellent treatment, using his refined aesthetic eye and experience to produce a cosmetically-improved and natural-looking smile.