What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are attached to the front of the teeth to conceal some imperfections. They are also named dental veneers and tooth veneers. They could also be derived from composite resin reinforced with quartz. Commonly, they are used on the upper front teeth, but can still be used anywhere else. They are placed in sets usually. It  allows for a more even-looked smile; however, if you want, individual teeth can still be veneered.

Candidates for Porcelain Veneers

People who want veneers are required to have strong, healthy teeth. Candidates should have one of the following imperfections for wanting veneers:

• Stained or discolored teeth
• Irregularly shaped teeth
• Slightly misaligned teeth
• Small gaps between the teeth
• Chipped or worn teeth

It is important to remember that while porcelain veneers may look and feel like natural teeth, they are not perfect. For example, veneers can vary from one another in color. Veneers are also susceptible to chipping and breaking over time

Porcelain veneers are also called porcelain laminates or porcelain laminate veneers, or even just veneers. Veneers are shaped porcelain shells that create a new front surface to teeth. They are thin sculpted pieces of porcelain that are tooth shaped to fit over your front teeth. They are the premier standard of care in cosmetic dentistry. They are permanently bonded to the tooth. Their task is to restore or remove position or shape or tooth color. Veneers have the ability to make dramatic differences to someone's smile and overall appearance. Many people who want veneers have chipped, crooked, missing, discolored, or malformed teeth.

Is there really a difference between the porcelain veneers you can get from one cosmetic dental office and another?

Yes, there is a real blend of art and science behind high-end aesthetic dentistry. All veneers are not created equal. Our cosmetic dentists have extensive training in the art of smile design, which determines the colors, line angles, shapes, thickness, translucency, occlusion, and many other factors that our cosmetic dentists prescribe to our in-house laboratory. Our lab then hand makes the veneers to our specifications. Veneers should be custom-designed to fit your face, smile, gender and personality. Done correctly, they look and feel like real teeth. You can be as much a part of the selection process as you wish, but part of why you select a cosmetic dentist is his or her experience and artistry in what looks great. Computer imaging as well as before and after photos of other cases will help you decide on the style, shape and color that work best for you. Veneers are bonded in place with a high intensity curing light. You can tell the quality by the photos of the work you see in our office.

How are porcelain veneers made?

Veneers are made from a thin shell of porcelain and are permanently bonded to the teeth. Our selected, world-class dental ceramists fabricate the veneers from our impressions and color mapping specifications. Each veneer is custom-designed to fit naturally and comfortably over each tooth like a ballet slipper. After placement, these veneers are designed to look like beautiful, natural teeth.

What are porcelain veneers used for?

Veneers can be used to correct the size, shape, color and alignment of teeth. So if your smile suffers from teeth that are stained, crooked or malformed for any reason (cracks, chips, fractures, spaces, smoking or tetracycline stains, etc.), then you may be a great candidate for porcelain veneers. Many people want straighter teeth without the hassle and time orthodontic braces require. Now teeth can be straightened with porcelain veneers and crowns. Most people can get the shape, length and degree of whiteness they want, and they don't stain!

But what many people don't realize is that the shape of veneers in combination with occlusal adjustments, such as opening the bite, can also have profound impact on the entire face. This can result in giving the appearance of a face-lift or elimination of wrinkles without any plastic surgery. So in developing your personalized Smile Design, we take into account building out certain teeth or reduce others to achieve such desired objectives. This is why for a number of our quests, they actually look 10 years younger after our Smile Designs and just imagine their rejuvenated spirit!

What's the difference between plastic veneers, bonding and porcelain veneers?

Composite bonding (also sometimes called "direct veneers" or "plastic veneers") is a tooth-colored plastic resin material. Bonding can usually be placed in one visit and is used many times to repair a smaller chip in a tooth or to make aesthetic improvements in more than one tooth. Bonding usually requires little to no tooth reduction or anesthesia. Because they are made out of porcelain in a lab, porcelain veneers are usually more aesthetic in terms of the spectrum of colors, realism and translucency. Porcelain veneers are also more of a long-term solution than bonding, as they do not stain, discolor, and are stronger than bonding. Porcelain veneers usually require only a couple of office visits - the first visit to prepare the teeth and the second to seat the veneers.

How quick can porcelain veneers give me a gorgeous smile?

Our quests can usually get the smile of their dreams in a couple of visits. At the first veneer appointment, your teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and you will walk out of the office with custom temporary veneers. In the second appointment, we permanently seat the veneers. Imagine getting a new smile within one month -- one that actually fits your face and personality and gives you the confidence to express the real you!

I'm an adult, and don't want to go through braces. Can veneers help correct my crooked teeth faster than orthodontics?

Porcelain veneers are a perfect alternative to braces for many adults. Veneers can correct the shape of teeth that are not aligned correctly, have gaps and spaces. Older patients, who have always wanted straighter teeth but no desire to undergo years of treatment with braces, usually love this new technique. Instead of months and years in braces, crooked teeth can usually be corrected in as little as two weeks with veneers. In fact, even if you have had braces in the past but the size and shape of your teeth is not pleasing to you, veneers may be the perfect solution. See our Before & After photo gallery for amazing examples of what "instant ortho" looks like.

What are the pros and cons of braces vs. veneers?

Braces are most desirable for people under the age of 18. At this stage in life, the bone is more malleable, teeth move easier and are more likely to stay once the bone "remodels" around the newly positioned teeth. Many adults also wear braces, but for a longer duration and almost always need a permanent retainer to hold the new positioning. There are numerous office visits in addition to the general hassles of wearing braces. Also, teeth may be repositioned, but continue to be the same shape and color which may or may not be desirable. Orthodontic braces, however, do not require the teeth to be reshaped or restructured in any way.

Sometimes called, "instant ortho," veneers can give the appearance of straightening teeth, closing gaps, and changing the shape of teeth to give a perfect smile. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain. After the enamel on teeth are reduced, usually only slightly, the veneers are bonded in place covering the visible part of a tooth. Seated correctly, they are strong and should last a very long time. The bite is most often enhanced and veneers do not stain or discolor.

How are the teeth prepared for porcelain veneers?

Unlike crowns, usually only a thin layer of enamel is removed from the teeth to make room for the veneers. Usually, only about 5/10 to 8/10 of a millimeter is removed from the outer surface. This small amount of reduction is required to make room for the porcelain. This allows us to make the veneers to the proper contour without them appearing to be bulky or unnatural. Some teeth on some individuals may not need any tooth reduction, and some may require a lot.

How are porcelain veneers placed on the teeth?

New advances in bonding technology allow us to create an extremely strong bond between your teeth and the veneers. The teeth are first prepared with a bonding adhesive and special resin cement is used as the "glue." The resin cement is available in a number of different colors to give the best possible aesthetic result. After approval, resins are then used to permanently bond the veneers to the teeth using a special dental curing light, which helps to create a stronger, longer-lasting bond between the veneer and your tooth. The durability, look and simplicity of application make it easy to see why veneers have become one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available today.

How many porcelain veneers are needed for a new Smile Design?

This depends entirely on the desired result. If there is only one tooth that is discolored or malformed, then a single veneer may be able to be used. To get a more balanced and even looking result, many times it is recommended that several veneers (from 4 to 8) be done at the same time. This allows us to get the most beautiful result possible. When closing large gaps between teeth, 6 to 10 veneers may be necessary to get a proper aesthetic result.

How long will porcelain veneers last?

There are no hard and fast rules about how long porcelain veneers will last. While you can certainly expect your veneers to last many years (some patients have had them for 20 or more years), it is unrealistic to expect them to last forever. With good home care and by exercising good judgment, it seems likely that a porcelain veneer could last well in excess of 10 to 15 years. Ask about our limited warranty.

Will my teeth be sensitive after I get porcelain veneers?

Some people experience sensitivity (to hot and cold or pressure, etc.) after the placement of veneers. Some sensitivity is absolutely normal and usually dissipates spontaneously from a day or so to a couple of weeks. The reason for the sensitivity can arise from the amount of enamel left on your tooth after preparation, the proximity of the nerve, as well as several other factors. If this sensitivity remains or concerns you at all, please contact your cosmetic dentist.

Will I need to change my diet after getting porcelain veneers?

Once placed, your veneers are very strong and will resist most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet, so a normal diet should pose no problem at all. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid anything that will bend or twist the veneers. As with your regular teeth, opening bottle caps with your teeth or crunching on hard candy or ice is not a good idea.

How do you maintain new porcelain veneers and what follow-up care is recommended?

With proper home care and scheduled dental visits, veneers can provide you with a beautiful smile for many years. A week or two after the placement of your veneers, we ask that you return to our office for a cosmetic polish and treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important. It gives us the opportunity to evaluate the placement of the veneers, the tissue response and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile design. For example, if you grind or clench your teeth, please let us know. We can fabricate a soft night guard for you to wear to minimize the stresses placed upon your teeth while you sleep.

The maintenance of your porcelain veneers is relatively simple. Brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Once placed, veneers are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that we currently have available. Don't be afraid that you'll damage your veneers by either flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive toothpaste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will help ensure the aesthetic success of your veneers.

When would porcelain veneers maybe not be right for me?

1. Don't get veneers if you have unhealthy teeth. Porcelain veneers cannot be placed on teeth where there is decay or active periodontal disease (gum disease). Those certain conditions have to be treated by your dentist before porcelain veneers can be successfully fabricated and placed.
2. If you have weakened teeth. If a significant amount of tooth structure has been lost as a result of decay or fracture, or else already replaced by a dental filling, the tooth may not be a good candidate for a porcelain veneer. Porcelain veneers do not significantly strengthen the teeth on which they are placed. Teeth that have, or have had, a history of a loss of a significant amount of tooth structure are usually better treated by placing a dental crown on them, not a porcelain veneer.
3. If you have an inadequate amount of tooth structure. Some teeth, as a result of excessive wear or previous attempts at dental work, may have inadequate tooth structure. These teeth do not make good candidates for porcelain veneers.
4. If you clench or grind your teeth. Persons who clench and grind their teeth can make poor candidates for porcelain veneers. The forces created by these activities, termed bruxism by dentists, can easily chip or break porcelain veneers. Possibly a person can successfully control their bruxing habits during their waking hours, but during sleep a bruxer has essentially no control over this activity. If a person who bruxes does have veneers placed, they must be committed to wearing a acrylic dental night guard when they sleep so to minimize the amount of stress placed on their veneers.