Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve your smile, because they can conceal so many different kinds of flaws. They are less invasive than crowns. Unlike orthodontics, you can change your smile in just a few visits to our Royal Oak, MI office. Unlike whitening, they will keep your smile looking great for years.
You will want to take several factors into consideration when choosing your veneers, including:

  • Your Oral Health
  • Flaws You Want to Correct
  • Color
  • Size and Shape
  • Translucence

Fortunately, the cosmetic dentists at North Oaks Dental can ensure you are satisfied with the appearance of your dental veneers. To schedule a consultation, call us today at 248-712-1522 (Royal Oak) 248-963-1969 (New Hudson) 586-685-7937 (Sterling Heights) .

Start With Healthy Teeth & Gums

As with other cosmetic treatments, you’ll get the best results with porcelain veneers by starting with healthy teeth and gums. We’ll need to eliminate problems like cavities and gum disease before going ahead with your veneers procedure. If you’ve been visiting our office regularly for exams and cleanings, there’s a good chance your teeth are already in terrific shape.

Make Sure Porcelain Veneers Are the Right Fix for Your Flaws

Veneers aren’t always the right treatment. They are best suited to teeth with cosmetic issues, not structural damage. You also need enough healthy dental structure to support veneers. Broken teeth or those with large cracks will likely need a crown rather than a veneer. While veneers can sometimes be used to hide crooked teeth or small gaps, our dentists will recommend Invisalign or braces for misaligned bites or other more serious orthodontics issues.

Choose Your Color Carefully

Few people can pull off a very bright white color for their porcelain veneers. In most cases, it will look unnatural. Your want your smile transformation to be flattering – yet not too obvious. As a rule of thumb, your veneers shouldn’t be any whiter than the whites of your eyes. It’s important to get the color right. Once veneers are bonded to your teeth, they aren’t easy to remove.
Similarly, you’ll want to make sure the size and shape of your veneers look natural too. Our dentists can create a wax model for you to help you better envision what your veneers will look like in your smile. That way, you can make changes before your veneers are made for you.
Translucence is the characteristic that allows light to shine through your veneers and helps avoid an unnatural appearance. The color of your tooth enamel will help determine the right degree of translucence. Teeth with a dark tone will need more opaque veneers, for example.

Keep Your Porcelain Veneers in Great Shape

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant. Still, you should brush at least two times a day. Don’t use abrasive toothpaste, which can make your veneers more prone to staining over time. If you can, rinse your mouth with water after consuming staining substances like tomato sauces, coffee, or red wine. Visit our office at least twice a year for professional cleanings, during which we can polish away surface stains.
In addition:

  • Don’t use your teeth as tools for tasks like opening packages, as this can chip or crack veneers
  • Don’t chew on hard substances like popcorn kernels, ice, and fingernails
  • Wear a mouthguard during sports
  • If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw while you sleep, wear a nightguard to protect your teeth and veneers

Our dentists will be happy to help you select the right porcelain veneers and provide the care that will keep them looking terrific. Call North Oaks Dental at 248-712-1522 (Royal Oak) 248-963-1969 (New Hudson) 586-685-7937 (Sterling Heights) for an appointment in Royal Oak, MI.