Dental veneers are not all created equal, and while natural-looking veneers blend in perfectly with the surrounding teeth, some cheaper veneers can draw attention to themselves because they look "too perfect" or even obviously fake. It's important to choose an experienced cosmetic dentist who understands the factors behind natural-looking porcelain veneers:
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Natural-looking ceramic material
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Natural thickness
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Natural color
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Natural shape
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Natural spacing
The right cosmetic dentist will go to great lengths to create beautiful, natural-looking veneers that display the unique qualities of your authentic smile. Whether you're getting veneers for the first time or are having your worn veneers replaced with new veneers, understanding what goes into creating natural-looking veneers will help you ensure a stunning result.
Natural-Looking Ceramic Material
Several different materials can be used to make dental veneers, including porcelain (ceramic), zirconia, and composite resin. Of the available materials, only porcelain is able to create veneers that look natural, thanks to its unique color and light-reflecting properties. These similarities make porcelain the material of choice for cosmetic dentistry professionals in Beverly Hills and beyond.
Not only is porcelain much stronger than composite resin, but it reflects light in the same way as natural tooth enamel—allowing a tiny amount of light to pass through the thinner layers of the porcelain veneer just like your natural teeth. In contrast, composite resin has a dull texture that makes the veneer far more obvious and "fake." For tooth grinders, zirconia veneers offer additional strength. However, they still don't come close to porcelain in terms of creating the most natural-looking dental veneers.
Natural Thickness
For a natural look, dental veneers shouldn't be too thick. Thick veneers—including no-prep Lumineers—tend to stick out a little from the gum line and don't allow any light to pass through. Both of these differences can make it more obvious that you're wearing veneers.
To ensure that your veneers look natural, a special layering technique is used to create porcelain veneers that mimic the thickness of natural teeth. Furthermore, a tiny amount of tooth enamel is removed from the underlying tooth to make space for the veneers so that, at the end of the process, the tooth-and-veneer combination should be the exact thickness of the original tooth.
Natural Color
Some people love the brilliant white of a Hollywood smile. However, others prefer more natural-looking dental veneers that simply cover up any stains or small chips in their teeth. To make sure their teeth and porcelain veneers match, many patients opt for Zoom! laser teeth whitening before veneers are placed.
If you don’t want pure white veneers, tooth-colored porcelain veneers can be created in any shade—from brilliant white to ivory and even yellow. In your initial cosmetic consultation, your dentist will ask you if you're interested in teeth whitening and take photos to make sure that your custom veneers will be matched to the shade of the surrounding teeth. After placement, your porcelain veneers shouldn’t stain.
Natural Shape
The shape of dental veneers is another factor that has a huge impact on how natural they look. Natural-looking dental veneers tend to have rounded corners, whereas artificial-looking veneers have squared corners. Custom veneers can actually be created to be more rounded or square, with pointier or more flattened canines, and in the precise length that creates the best overall appearance for the patient.
To ensure that your veneers look natural, the cosmetic dentist should pay close attention to the precise shape of your natural tooth structure and make a model of what your smile will look like with veneers. Temporary veneers will be placed to give you a chance to "test-drive" your new, unique smile and get feedback on the length, color, and shape before you receive your final veneers after two to three weeks.
Natural Spacing
The spacing between veneers is important not only for a natural-looking smile but also for ensuring the right fit. If the veneers are wider than your teeth and you don't have large gaps that you want to hide, you could end up with a gap that's too narrow to permit flossing—or worse still—no gaps at all.
Experienced cosmetic dentists make sure that your veneers complement your existing tooth structure perfectly for the right fit and a natural smile. Your oral health and dental hygiene routine should never be compromised by dental veneers, and a responsible cosmetic dentist will always put your oral health first.
Choose Natural-Looking Porcelain Veneers for a Beautiful Smile
Natural-looking veneers are not only possible, but with an experienced cosmetic dentist, you can be confident that the final result will be a smile that's just as you as your smile before veneers—only straighter and chip-and-stain-free. Checking each dentist’s smile gallery and independent reviews will give you an idea of what to expect with natural-looking veneers.
An experienced, compassionate cosmetic dentist will always take the time to find out exactly what you want to achieve with veneers and consult with you every step of the way. At the end of the process, the aim is for you to fall completely in love with your natural-looking veneers—and receive a barrage of compliments on your beautiful, healthy smile.
