The dental profession has made tremendous advances over the last few decades, giving patients a variety of options when it comes to correcting cosmetic dental problems or functional problems that make it difficult to bite into foods, chew food thoroughly, or even speak. One of these options is porcelain veneers, which are pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the front of one or more teeth. Veneers can change the size, shape, or color of a tooth, making them useful for correcting a wide range of problems. If you have any of these problems, contact your dentist to find out if porcelain veneers are an option for you.

1. Tooth Stains

Tea, wine, and berries are just some of the foods and beverages that can stain your teeth or cause discoloration that makes you self-conscious about your smile. Some stains, known as extrinsic stains, occur on the surface of the teeth. Other stains, known as intrinsic stains, are caused by staining that occurs below the tooth's surface. You may be able to remove extrinsic stains from your teeth with whitening toothpaste or brushing with baking soda, but these surface treatments do not eliminate intrinsic stains. Porcelain veneers cover these deep stains, improving the appearance of your smile.

2. Misshapen Teeth

Just one misshapen tooth can affect the appearance of your smile, making you so self-conscious that you smile with your mouth closed instead of showing off your teeth. Porcelain veneer treatment is ideal for correcting misshapen teeth, as veneers can change the shape of a tooth. This treatment can be performed whether you have a single misshapen tooth or problems with several teeth. 

3. Gaps between Teeth

Gaps between teeth develop for a variety of reasons. In children, thumb sucking can lead to gaps because it pushes the teeth forward. Some children develop gaps between their front teeth because they do not swallow normally. When you swallow, your tongue is supposed to move toward the roof of your mouth. In some people, it pushes against the front teeth, which has the same effect as thumb sucking. The front teeth move forward, creating a gap between them. Veneers can be used to cover up gaps between the teeth, improving the appearance of your smile.

4. Broken Teeth

Broken teeth usually occur due to some type of trauma, such as biting down too hard on a piece of ice or getting hit in the mouth with a baseball or hockey puck. Regardless of the reason for your broken tooth, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible. Porcelain veneers are ideal for fixing chips or larger breaks, as they cover the damage without leaving any filling visible. To apply a veneer, your dentist will have to remove some of the remaining enamel and then use a liquid to make the surface of the tooth rougher. This process ensures that the veneer adheres to the tooth correctly. 

5. Uneven Teeth

If your teeth are uneven, you may feel self-conscious about your appearance, especially when you smile for photos. This unevenness occurs when some teeth are shorter than the others. Fortunately, your dentist can apply veneers to the shorter teeth to make them approximately the same height as your other teeth.

These dental problems are more than a cosmetic issue. They can also affect your ability to bite into food, chew, and even speak to other people. If you are interested in getting porcelain veneers to correct one of these problems, talk to your dentist to find out if veneers are right for you. Porcelain is sturdier than some dental materials, so with proper care, getting porcelain veneers can give you long-lasting results that make you proud of your smile.