What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are customizable pieces of porcelain that are used to improve the appearance, color, size, shape, and straightness of the teeth. They can be bonded to one or more teeth to produce a beautiful smile while maintaining optimal functionality for speaking and eating. A veneer can be as thin as a contact lens yet can make dramatic improvements to your smile. These thin, customized pieces of porcelain can vastly improve discolored, damaged, crooked, or shifted teeth. Dr. Sands uses simple, pain-free porcelain veneers to transform your smile and restore your confidence. Porcelain veneers are also an important step in Dr. Sands’ smile makeover program, where she uses multiple different forms of cosmetic dentistry to craft the perfect smile for her patients.
The advantages of porcelain veneers include:
Long-lasting
results
When attached by an expert cosmetic dentist, veneers can be long-lasting and won’t break, crack, or detach. Dr. Sands stays current on veneers through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Temporary
options
Non-invasive temporary veneers can allow a patient to see what veneers would like on their teeth through a 100% reversible process.
Natural-Looking
results
Each veneer is fabricated and custom-matched to a patient’s teeth through Dr. Sands’ personal ceramist, helping the veneer blend perfectly to the tooth.
Whiter and
brighter teeth
Porcelain veneers can restore dark or discolored teeth and remain resistant to future stains for long-lasting smile enhancement.
Straighter
teeth
For straighter and better aligned teeth, porcelain veneers can provide results faster and more reliably than braces.
A beautiful
vibrant smile
Porcelain veneers can help correct tooth shape, size, and spacing, removing unsightly chips, damage, or gaps.
Gummy
smile reversal
Using porcelain veneers can also improve a smile where the gums are overly prominent by reducing the extent of the gums visible above the tooth line.
Improved
teeth health
Porcelain veneers are designed to protect your teeth and provide a stronger and healthier dental surface, reducing the risk of tooth decay and pain.
How do porcelain veneers work?
Porcelain veneers are added to the teeth through a three-stage process, as detailed below:
Dr. Sands will etch away a very small amount of the natural tooth surface, about as thin as a contact lens, to allow the veneers to be precisely fitted and match the width of the surrounding teeth. This step ensures that the veneers will look as natural as possible. Etching away part of the enamel also changes the appearance and function of the natural teeth, making the veneers a permanent form of tooth restoration.
Dr. Sands will make an impression of your natural teeth and work with her master ceramist to prepare your veneers in a laboratory. This process of creating customized veneers to complement your face and smile typically takes one to two weeks. Prior to the fabrication of your final veneers, Dr. Sands will make you prototypes to wear and approve, ensuring that you’re completely satisfied with your new veneers.
Dr. Sands will help you “try on” your new veneers for approval and then expertly cement them to your teeth, ensuring that they remain continually attached to your teeth to permanently enhance your smile.
FAQ
Will I need to change my dental hygiene habits to care for my veneers?
Conveniently, porcelain veneers do not need a special cleaning process. To maintain your smile, continue good habits of dental hygiene including regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits.
Do porcelain veneers increase the risk of cavities?
Teeth with porcelain veneers have no higher incidence of cavities or tooth decay than other teeth. Good dental hygiene, including regular flossing, brushing, and dental appointments, will help reduce your risk of cavities and tooth decay.
Can porcelain veneers break?
Porcelain veneers are incredibly strong and rarely crack or chip, especially when applied by an expert like Dr. Sands. However, because veneers are like natural teeth, they can chip and serious misuse can damage them. To protect the health and appearance of your teeth, you should avoid potentially damaging activities like biting your nails, using your teeth as tools, or scraping your teeth with metal utensils.
How long will my veneers last?
Porcelain veneers are a permanent form of tooth enhancement. Once fitted to your teeth, they will last up to 20 years if well-maintained and if your natural teeth remain healthy. Veneers may need to be replaced or re-bonded if the tooth or surrounding gum tissues change.
