How Veneers Can Fix Chips, Cracks, and Gaps

Custom-made veneers provide a solution to gaps and other issues to make your smile more appealing. California dentist Dr. Charles Pincus conceived the concept for veneers nearly a century ago, when he created a temporary set of teeth for an actor. Over the years, others perfected the procedure for those seeking that dazzling “Hollywood smile.”

Our compassionate team at Smile Bright Dental in Tampa and New Port Richey, Florida, uses time-tested veneers and other dental techniques to help you look and feel your best.

Composite versus porcelain veneers

We fit porcelain or composite veneers over the front of your teeth by:

• Etching away tiny amounts of tooth enamel to assist in the application
• Taking impressions of your teeth
• Sending those impressions to a lab to fashion custom veneers

Once your porcelain veneers return, your doctor checks their fit and color, adjusting your bite to create the ideal smile.

We apply composite veneers directly to your teeth, so they only require a single session. While more convenient, these veneers aren’t quite as sturdy as porcelain.

How veneers cast the perfect smile

Veneers look and work best on your front teeth, rather than your molars, where pressure from chewing could cause damage.

We evaluate your teeth to determine if veneers will work for you. If so, we may:

• Apply slightly wider veneers to fill gaps between your teeth
• Cover minor chips and cracks to preserve most of your original tooth
• Mask discoloration for a more natural-looking smile
• Fix alignment issues to create a better bite

If you’re faced with worn enamel from tooth grinding or acid reflux, veneers can help.

Pros and cons of dental veneers

Dental veneers often last up to 15 years, making them a great long-term solution for a beautiful smile. They also:

• Blend perfectly with your natural teeth
• Resist staining better than natural tooth enamel due to their nonporous material
• Require no special maintenance
• Dramatically improve your smile

When placing porcelain veneers, your dentist removes a small amount of enamel so the veneers fit properly. The amount is minor when compared to crowns, which require more of your tooth to be drilled down.

Veneers may also increase tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. They might dislodge over time, as well, which our team can easily remedy. All things considered, we recommend veneers for most patients.

Additional benefits

It’s amazing how tiny slivers of porcelain improve your overall self-confidence. If you’ve been hesitant to smile, veneers help you feel more confident in social and professional situations, making a huge difference in your life.

Resistant to cracks, chips, and day-to-day wear, veneers offer a more permanent solution over some other cosmetic choices, such as bonding or whitening, which require touch-ups. 

Veneers offer much more than cosmetic appeal. They often improve your teeth’s alignment to help you eat and speak more comfortably.

Enjoy a dazzling Hollywood smile

Veneers easily fix gaps, cracks, even unusually small or abnormally shaped teeth. Since they work best on people without ongoing decay or extensive gum health issues, it’s best to clear those up before proceeding.

Our team at Smile Bright Dental helps you decide whether veneers are right for you. If you’d like to learn more about your options for a beautiful smile or discuss other dental concerns, call us today or book an appointment online anytime.