Options to revamp your smile: Composite and porcelain veneers installation in Alpharetta, GA

The “installation” of composite veneers sounds like a very technical procedure. While this cosmetic dental treatment does require considerable skill, it provides one of the most cost-effective and durable ways to quickly improve the appearance of your smile at Bella Hanono Family Dentistry in Alpharetta, GA.

The basics

Veneers are dental materials that are used to cover up or disguise cosmetic imperfections. There are generally two different types of veneers:

  • Indirect veneers, which involve placing and securing porcelain or composite resin that is designed to blend in with the rest of the smile to the prepared, front surfaces of the natural teeth
  • Direct veneers (dental bonding), which involve color-matching composite resin and applying it as a pliable material to the front surfaces of the teeth, where your dentist shapes and eventually bonds it to disguise chips, gaps, and other imperfections

Veneers are only appropriate for patients with healthy teeth and gums. Composite resin is a versatile material. So, if Dr. Hanono determines that you have more extensive needs for treatment (beyond the cosmetic), she may recommend tooth-colored fillings that are made from this material. Otherwise, healthy patients may be good candidates for veneers if they have cosmetic concerns such as minor cracks and fractures, extra spaces between teeth, wear and tear that could benefit from “resizing,” and contouring irregularly shaped teeth.

The pros and cons

Since we have so many options for treatment, Dr. Hanono will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of veneer. While composite resin may be applied directly to the teeth or indirectly as a shell of dental material (to replace natural tooth enamel), porcelain can only be applied as an indirect treatment. Both indirect options require the removal of a slight amount of natural tooth structure, about the thickness of a fingernail or contact lens. This process helps the veneer fit well over the natural tooth. Since the material is applied directly to the teeth, dental bonding does not require the reduction of natural enamel. It is a completely reversible procedure that can be completed in a single visit.

As a material, composite resin is more affordable upfront than porcelain. However, composite is slightly porous and does not resist stains in the same way that porcelain does. Additionally, porcelain is a superior material in terms of durability and appearance. We will provide guidance on how to prolong the lifespan of your veneers, which may involve wearing a night-guard that is customized to your mouth to protect them from damage caused by teeth-grinding during sleep. Habits such as chewing ice or your fingernails can also chip even the strongest, highest quality veneers.

To find out more about the process, and if you are a great candidate for veneers (or our many other treatments), schedule an appointment at Bella Hanono Family Dentistry.