Approximately one-third of Americans admit to being unhappy with their smile, and many more long for the perfect set of chompers they believe to be little more than a pipe dream. The right cosmetic dentistry procedure can turn any dental dream into a reality. And those Hollywood smiles are far from unachievable. Often, it’s as simple as opting for porcelain veneers. These wafer-thin porcelain shells fit directly over your existing teeth and can create a seamless smile worthy of any red carpet A-lister. Of course, while easily customized prior to the final fitting, the shade and shape can’t be changed after the procedure is completed. The last thing anyone wants is to be disappointed in their final outcome, but how do you choose the right color for your porcelain veneers.
Be Realistic and Determine the Type of Change You Want
Most people automatically associate a beautiful smile with the whitest possible shade. But there is such a thing as your teeth being too white. The goal here is to attract the eye, not blind it or scare it away. That doesn’t mean your porcelain veneers can’t be several shades whiter than your natural teeth. In fact, they should be. But they should also look natural. Unless you’re in front of the camera for your career or rely on a flawless smile to make a living, you can probably avoid the whitest shades and opt for something a bit more realistic. After all, you probably still want people to think you were born with a perfect smile.
Consider Your Age, Facial Characteristics, and Lifestyle
Gender and age play a big part in the right shape and coloring of your teeth. Hair coloring, skin tone, and even the whites of your eyes work together to influence the right shade choice. Your porcelain veneers should enhance your beauty, not detract from it or clash with other equally impressive traits. Also be sure to consider your diet, habits, and vices such as coffee addiction, nicotine or alcohol intake. Those won’t stain veneers like they do natural enamel, but they can weaken the bonding agents and dull the edges of the porcelain over time.
Understand How Translucency Factors In
Porcelain veneers are about the width of a contact lens. So while they cover existing dental problems they are also thin enough to allow existing stains or the natural color of your enamel and even light to come through. This translucency factor is often overlooked by patients expecting gleaming white teeth off the bat. Professional tooth whitening can be implemented prior to the veneer treatment to whiten existing enamel, but some staining or dullness may remain. A soft white porcelain color may mute out yellowing enamel while a darker shade may be needed for deeper or permanent stains.
Listen to Your Johns Creek Dentist
Your dentist will show you a shade guide, ask for your preferences, and make suggestions based on those. The patient has the final decision, of course, but your Johns Creek Dentist should be listened to for the best possible outcome. They’ll explain how the translucency of your chosen shades will react with your natural coloring and provide suggestions and options for the most natural solution for your needs and desires. Whitening of the teeth and veneers can be done prior to shell placement. Once that’s completed, the treatment is permanent, and the color can’t be changed. But by following the above steps, you can have a natural looking beautiful smile with your new porcelain veneers.