What are alternatives to porcelain veneers as a treatment for imperfections in Knoxville, TN?

Drs. Pablo Foncea and Mariko McCall of Sequoyah Dental Arts welcome patients in and around the area of Knoxville, TN into the practice for comprehensive dental care. From cosmetic dentistry to restorative care, from preventative treatment to smile rehabilitation, our professionals work hard to provide patients with the solutions they need to build their dream smiles. One of the options often recommended is porcelain veneers, but it is not the only option when it comes to repairing imperfections. In fact, our team provides a variety of alternatives for patients to consider as well.

Porcelain veneers explained

When imperfections are present on the teeth near the front of the smile, such as fractures, gaps between the teeth, permanent staining, and minor misalignment, patients may want to quickly cover them with porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are essentially custom-made facings that are fabricated to bond onto the front of the teeth to change the look. These restorations are fast, effective, affordable, and long-lasting, making them one of the most highly recommended ways of enhancing the smile and addressing problems on the front teeth. However, they are not the only way to do so.

What alternatives to porcelain veneers are available?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for veneers. Assessing the smile and explaining what other options are available is the best way to approach any patient who is unsure as to how they want to enhance their smile. Additionally, patients have different budgets that they need to maintain. Because of this, our team is proud to offer a variety of solutions so patients can choose what is right for them.

• Invisalign – when patients have misaligned teeth or are dealing with gaps between their teeth, they can use porcelain veneers to cover and disguise these issues. However, another option is to speak to our team about Invisalign orthodontics. Unlike traditional braces in which metal brackets are glued to the teeth and connected with unsightly wires, Invisalign achieves the same results but without the metal components. Instead, Invisalign uses clear aligner trays to realign the teeth and ensure patients close gaps and reposition misaligned teeth quickly and easily. This method of orthodontics is often chosen by teens and adults who don’t want to affect their appearance while undergoing treatment.
• Composite resin bonding – another option for our patients to consider when covering imperfections of the smile is composite resin bonding. Composite resin bonding is a material that is almost like a clay that is made to match the color of the teeth. The composite resin bonding is molded onto the tooth, shaped into place, and then hardened with a specialized light. The dentist then files down the resin bonding and then polishes it, so it looks just like the natural tooth enamel. When done correctly, composite resin bonding is difficult to distinguish from the rest of the teeth and can last many years before needing to be replaced.
• Dental crowns – for some teeth, full coverage can be considered with the use of porcelain dental crowns. Crowns are bonded over the natural teeth, but they provide coverage of all visible areas. Crowns are also known as “caps” and do require the removal of a substantial amount of enamel for preparation prior to bonding these restorations in place. Drs. Pablo Foncea and Mariko McCall may recommend these for teeth that need extra strength and protection.

Which treatment is right for me?

There are many ways patients can address imperfections of the smile, but there is no single solution for everyone. This is why our team of professionals at Sequoyah Dental Arts offers a wide selection for patients to choose from.

Interested in porcelain veneers?

Perhaps you want to try something different, and are ?considering composite resin bonding?. Contact the team of Sequoyah Dental Arts to find out which one is right for you. Our team of professionals can be reached at 865 973-9899 and is located at 2719 Kingston Pike. We welcome new patients and families into our state-of-the-art facility for quality, comprehensive dental care solutions. Whether you want to repair a broken tooth or enhance the smile and cover imperfections, we can provide you with the treatment options you desire for your very best result.