If your teeth are stained and discolored, misshapen or too small, porcelain veneers may be just the opportunity to treat yourself to a beautiful smile that can last for decades. They may be used to restore a single tooth that is broken or stained, or many teeth that are worn or discolored. If you have small teeth with gaps between them, veneers can close the spaces.

Porcelain laminate veneers are thin layers of dental restorative material that are bonded onto your teeth. With porcelain laminate veneers you can change a tooth's shape, size, and color. They require a minimal amount of tooth preparation (reduction of enamel on the original tooth) and are a great way to help you have a beautiful smile now and for decades to come. Porcelain veneers without a drill are also an option for some people.

They can last from seven to twenty years or more. Part of what determines their exact longevity is the health of your mouth. Gum tissues may deteriorate and the gum line shrink back away from the roots of your teeth. So brushing, flossing, and other good dental habits are important in maintaining your investment in your smile.

Other articles of interest include:

• Potential Cases for No-Prep Veneers
• Benefits of Prepless Veneers
• Tooth Decay Risk
• Tooth Decay Disease Indicators
• Tooth Decay Risk Factors
• Tooth Decay Testing

Hearing the term, “smile makeover,” a generation ago most likely would have resulted in questions and puzzled looks. However, through the power of both the media and celebrities, today it has become a common household term with over 70% of all inquiries come from people in the 31 to 50 year old age group, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). While some people seek cosmetic dentistry purely to boost their self-esteem, others pursue it to improve first impressions during business and social interactions, as many studies have revealed that first impressions are the ones that typically last the longest.

The AACD study also revealed other interesting statistics that support why a smile makeover is a wise choice that can yield a life-changing return on your investment — you!

• 99.7% of Americans believe a smile is an important social asset
• 74% feel an unattractive smile can hurt chances for career success
• 50% of all people polled were satisfied with their smile

Another important study recently conducted by Beall Research & Training, Inc., an independent marketing research firm, found that people who have had a smile makeover are viewed by others as more attractive, intelligent, happy, successful in their career, friendly, interesting, kind, wealthy, and appealing to the opposite sex when those polled were shown both “before” and “after” photos. This evidence clearly proves just how important a first impression can be as well as what it can silently communicate about you.

The first and most important step towards achieving your dream smile is to choose the right cosmetic dentist. While most dentists can perform the same procedures, when it comes to cosmetics, you want the very best. Cosmetic dentists have typically taken additional training in advanced procedures and perform them regularly. After selecting your cosmetic dentist, there are numerous questions you need to ask during your initial consultation. For example, you need to verify that you are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry and that your goals are realistic. You also want to find out if your dentist can show you a computer simulation or mock-up of the changes you discuss.

The decision to pursue cosmetic dentistry is a personal one as people often pursue it to overcome issues that have concerned them deeply and affected how they feel about themselves. Other people may hardly notice their concern; however, it is monumental to that individual. If this describes you, it is important that you fully understand exactly what cosmetic dentistry can do as well as the realistic outcomes you can expect. To accomplish this challenge, you need to schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist to discuss your concerns and to show him or her photos of smiles that illustrate what you want. You will also learn about your dentist's analysis of your smile and treatment options during this initial consultation.

When some people smile, an inordinate amount of gum tissue shows above their upper teeth. Labeled with having a “gummy” smile, they can feel a lack of self-confidence that actually inhibits how often or even if they smile. If this describes you or someone you know, there is hope! Like many things in the healthcare arena, the solution to this cosmetic problem depends largely upon the cause and severity. However, generally speaking, there are treatment options available for dealing with this plight. If your teeth are also misaligned, your gum line position can be adjusted while wearing braces. Regardless of the cause, you need a proper evaluation and candid discussion with your dentist about the options available for your specific needs

You don't have to put up with unsightly metal fillings any more with the development and use of natural-colored fillings, which are undetectable to the eye. Properly restored teeth with these types of fillings function and wear normally, appearing indistinguishable from natural teeth. And scientific studies and clinical experience have validated their use as safe and predictable. The most commonly used materials consist of resin plastic (methacrylate) and fillers made of silica, a form of glass. The fillers are what give the tooth composite wear resistance and translucency (see through properties).

When getting a crown on a back tooth, there are three popular options: gold, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and all porcelain. However, before making this decision, it is important that you understand the pros and cons of each. Gold crowns, which classically are most like normal tooth enamel in the way they wear and closely adapt to tooth structure, have been around for over 100 years and may last upwards of 50+ years. For this reason, many dentists prefer them for their own teeth. On the other hand, all porcelain crowns have been around for about 25 years and have an incredible life-like appearance. Unfortunately, they lack the strength of natural teeth and tend to wear the natural teeth against which they bite. While porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns (gold or platinum) have been around for 40 years trying to capture the best of both worlds, they rarely do. However, some of the newer porcelain materials are showing great promise.

Discover which type is right for you in Gold or Porcelain Crowns

When it comes to smile enhancement, porcelain laminate veneers are among the most aesthetic means for creating a more beautiful smile. The primary reason is that they allow for producing the most natural results. A dentist skilled in cosmetic dentistry can alter the color, shapes, and sizes of teeth to create the change you want. And porcelain, a glass material, mimics tooth enamel perfectly yet withstands wear and tear. If you grind your teeth you may need to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep and understand that eating anything that requires high biting force may be risky because like glass, porcelain can shatter. However, if well maintained, porcelain veneers can last as long as 20 years or more!

Discover if porcelain veneers are right for your smile enhancement in Porcelain Veneers.

When it comes to the patients of cosmetic dentists, they fall into two categories: perfect-minded and natural minded. Perfect-minded patients want the infamous Hollywood smile...dazzling white teeth that are perfectly aligned and shaped. Patients who are natural-minded still want white, straight teeth; however, they prefer a more natural smile so that their teeth are not the first thing a person notices about them. By working with your cosmetic dental professionals to define a clearly communicated plan and restoration mockup, you are on the right path for achieving your goal.

Throughout life we discover the importance of clear communication. While your goal may be to say what you feel and have the confidence that what you've said was understood, it may not always be the case. However, when it comes to communicating with your cosmetic dentist about your smile restoration goals...well, this goal is mission critical! To achieve your desired results, your dentist must understand what you see as attractive or beautiful to achieve a successful restoration and vice versa.

There are several tools available to your dentist and you to ensure you are both on the same page for a successful blueprint for your new smile. Two of these include: using computer-generated imaging to create your new smile and/or using a provisional (temporary) restoration. The advantage of a provisional restoration is that it literally allows you to see and feel your new smile prior to making your final restoration. If any adjustments need to be made, is it far better and cheaper to make them at this time!