Porcelain Veneers
Have you been dreaming of a brand-new smile? Porcelain veneers deliver dramatic improvements.
Have you ever noticed someone getting a brand-new smile seemingly overnight? Perhaps you saw a celebrity or actor whose teeth seemed to transform from flawed to picture-perfect, almost as if by magic. You may have thought, how on earth did they do that so fast? The truth is that a complete smile transformation is easier and closer than you think.
The most dramatic smile makeovers are often achieved with porcelain veneers. Many patients who have always hated the flaws in their smiles absolutely love veneers because they are fast, easy, and can fix virtually any cosmetic problems. If you’ve ever dreamed of changing your smile and getting a set of picture-perfect teeth for yourself, veneers may be the solution you are looking for.
Veneers are an excellent treatment for:
- Chipped teeth
- Teeth with gaps
- Stained teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Teeth of irregular size
- Lateral incisors
- Overly pointy canines
- Crooked teeth
- Uneven arches
- Unbalanced smiles
Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry because they can change the color, size, shape, and texture of the teeth that show when you smile. They can even make crooked or crowded teeth appear straighter without the use of orthodontics. In many cases, patients who thought they had to wear braces for two years were able to make their smiles more balanced and even-looking in just a couple of weeks.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are super-thin shells of highly durable dental ceramic. They are as strong as your own enamel and are permanently affixed to the front of each tooth to create an entirely new surface to show the world. Today’s veneers are natural looking, and some are only as thick as a contact lens.
The best part about veneers is that they are versatile enough that you can design their appearance based on your aesthetic preferences. Some patients choose a full set of veneers to cover all the teeth that show when they smile, while others may have only two smaller teeth they wish to correct.
Each veneer is created in a dental laboratory to fit perfectly over your natural tooth, using a dental impression we take in our office. The whole process takes only a couple of weeks, and can be completed in just two dental appointments.
What to Expect
During your first visit, we will examine your teeth to assess your oral health and discuss the changes you would like to make to your smile. Many patients choose to bring a number of photos to illustrate their aesthetic goals and show the doctor a smile they would like to emulate. Together, we will design your new smile, making sure that the projected outcome is exactly what you want to see.
When you are happy with the plan, we will treat the teeth and take a dental impression. To prepare teeth for veneers, it is necessary to resurface the enamel where the veneers will be affixed; this usually involves removing a small amount of enamel. After resurfacing the teeth, we take a dental impression to send to the laboratory where the veneers will be fabricated. Now, all you have to do its wait.
Between the appointments, you will wear a set of temporary veneers to protect your teeth during the interim period. When your veneers are ready, we will call you in for a second appointment. During this appointment we will check each veneer for color, size, shape and translucency. If you are pleased with the way they look, we permanently bond the veneers to your natural teeth and your new smile will be ready to show the world!
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers can last a very long time when used responsibly and gently. The average lifespan is about 10-15 years, though some patients have been known to wear them for as long as two decades before needing replacement.
It’s important to note that porcelain veneers are a permanent, irreversible change to your smile, which means that once you choose veneers, you cannot go back to not having veneers. This fact rarely deters our patients from getting veneers, as it means their beautiful new smile is a permanent improvement that will last them for many years to come!