Porcelain veneers Shreveport
Porcelain is a very widely used material in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry. We use it in veneers, crowns, inlays, and onlays. Why is porcelain so widely used in dentistry? What makes this material so good?
1. Porcelain looks natural
The primary advantage of porcelain is that it looks just like natural tooth enamel. One reason is the color. Porcelain comes in many shades of white, and it can be made in just the right shade to match a patient’s other teeth.
Just as important, porcelain is a translucent material. This means that light can partially pass through it. Tooth enamel is also translucent, so a porcelain restoration looks very much like a natural tooth.
2. Porcelain is very durable
Another advantage of porcelain is that it’s very durable. Dental restoration has to withstand the considerable forces of biting and chewing. Porcelain is strong enough to handle this. A porcelain restoration can be expected to last for 7 to 20 years while being used normally throughout your daily life.
3. Porcelain resists staining
In addition, porcelain resists becoming stained. In addition to the forces placed on it, a dental restoration will also be exposed to a variety of different foods and beverages. A material that stains easily would quickly become discolored.
Porcelain is highly impervious and resists staining by substances like coffee, tea, red wine, curry, and even tobacco smoke. This helps ensure that a porcelain restoration will continue to look good for many years to come.
How is porcelain used in dentistry?
We can use porcelain in a variety of different ways in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry, including in:
- Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth in order to change their appearance
- Crowns are shells that are placed around teeth in order to strengthen and restore them
- Inlays and Onlays, which are used to fill larger missing areas of a tooth (composite resin, or a white filling, can be used for smaller areas)
- Bridges, which are used to replace missing teeth
- Dental implants, where the porcelain is used to create the artificial tooth or teeth attached to the top of the implant post (this is actually a crown or bridge)
Porcelain veneers Shreveport
These many advantages of porcelain make it an ideal material for use in dentistry. Here at Cormier Family Dentistry, we offer our patients the highest-quality dental restorations available. Using state-of-the-art technology, our dentists employ their exceptional technical skills to create very natural and lifelike results.
If you’re already missing one or more teeth and want to discuss your replacement options, or have concerns about the health or appearance of your smile, then we invite you to schedule an appointment here in our office. To us, each of our patients is like family, and we will be happy to take the time to talk with you about your various options so that you can decide what’s right for you. To book your appointment, simply contact our office.