Even though your teeth may be healthy, they may look unhealthy. You may have lost your self-confidence because of stained, chipped, or crooked teeth, or maybe you lost confidence because you're unhappy about the size or shape of your teeth. Fortunately, porcelain veneers can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth so that you feel confident when you smile. Here are some ways that your cosmetic dentist can help restore the natural beauty of your teeth with porcelain veneers.

Conceal Stains

If you have dental stains that are resistant to bleaching or whitening treatments, then porcelain veneers may be a good treatment option for you. Certain dental stains such as the gray discoloration that can be caused by the antibiotic tetracycline do not respond to bleaching procedures, and because of this, you will need a cosmetic option that conceals the stained teeth.

Porcelain veneers are caps or jackets that are precisely made to fit over your natural teeth to hide imperfections such as stains, chips, and enamel cracks. Veneers are very natural-looking and durable, and while they can get stained just like your natural teeth, they are not as porous and are therefore more resistant to staining. 

Alter Tooth Size And Shape

If you have small teeth or if they have been worn down because of tooth grinding, porcelain veneers can make them look longer. Similarly, if your teeth are uneven or broken, veneers can give them uniformity so that the shapes of your teeth are more pleasing.

While porcelain veneers can significantly improve the appearance of your smile, your cosmetic dentist may refer you to an orthodontist if your teeth are extremely crooked, if they overlap, or if there are large spaces between them.

You may need to wear braces, or you may even need to get one or more of your back teeth extracted to make room for your teeth if you have a condition known as "crowding," in which your mouth lacks enough space to accommodate your teeth. If you need orthodontic treatment, you can still get porcelain veneers for staining or chipped teeth, but you will need to wait until your orthodontic treatment has been completed.

If you have severe dental staining that does not improve after bleaching treatments, or if you want to alter the appearance of your teeth in any other way, talk to your cosmetic dentist. After discussing veneers with your dental professional, you will have all the information you need to decide if they are the right treatment option for you.