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Porcelain Veneers

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, durable shells placed over the front of teeth to conceal imperfections, such as chips, cracks, and mild misalignment, as well as improve their overall appearance. Unlike porcelain crowns, dental veneers only require a small portion of the tooth to be removed to accommodate the new restoration. At Roberts Dental Group, we provide veneers composed of a resistant porcelain material, which offers strong and incredibly natural-looking results. Veneers can be used to enhance smile aesthetics while also adding an extra layer of protection.

What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

The benefits from porcelain veneers can be immense and vary in nature depending on what the patient is trying to correct about their smile. Generally, porcelain veneers can be used to fix a variety of tooth-related issues including:

Porcelain veneers are an ideal choice to remedy a wide range of dental issues because of how versatile they can be. With other dental solutions, patients may be limited in what they can address. With veneers, patients can expect to address a multitude of concerns with one treatment.

Who is a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Ideal candidates for porcelain veneers are typically those with cosmetic dental concerns, such as tooth discoloration, misalignment, and chips, and are looking for aesthetic smile improvements. Patients should still have fairly healthy teeth and gums that can support the procedure. Individuals who bite their nails may need to better manage the habit and patients who grind their teeth should consider wearing a nightguard, as both could negatively affect veneer longevity and results. Those with more severe tooth damage or decay, or even missing teeth, may benefit more from a dental crown or dental implants.

How Does the Porcelain Veneer Procedure Work?

To prepare for your porcelain veneer procedure, our skilled cosmetic dentist, Dr. Justin Roberts and Dr. Olivia Straka, will first evaluate the shape, size, and color of your teeth to help design your custom veneers. When it comes time to place your veneers, your teeth will first be cleaned and a numbing agent may be administered to ensure your comfort throughout the treatment.

Each tooth receiving a veneer will then be prepared with a special dental tool, removing the outer layer of enamel to which the veneer will be attached. This allows your custom-made veneer to securely adhere to the tooth’s surface and achieve the most natural-looking appearance. When you leave our office, you can enjoy your beautiful new smile, maintaining your veneers in the same way that you take care of your other teeth.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers can often last for 10 to 15 years when placed by an experienced dentist and cared for properly. To help prolong the lifespan of your veneers, it can help to avoid chewing on hard objects, limit hard foods or chew with your back teeth, and wear a nightguard when sleeping if you grind your teeth. Dr. Roberts and Dr. Straka can provide more detailed instructions on how you can get the most out of your new smile.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The average cost of a single porcelain veneer is about $1,000 to $2,500. This can vary based on multiple factors, such as the type of veneer, your geographic area, and the expertise of your dentist.

How Do I Take Care of My Porcelain Veneers?

Caring for your porcelain veneers will be similar to how you treat your other teeth. Practicing healthy oral hygiene habits such brushing, flossing, and continuing with routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist will be key in maintaining your porcelain veneers. The longevity of your porcelain veneers will very much depend on the care you provide them after your treatment.

Do Porcelain Veneers Stain?

Porcelain veneers are generally stain resistant and can last for many years for patients without causing issues. Our veneers, which are made with a durable porcelain material, are designed to match the color tone of the surrounding teeth at the time of installment in order for the results to appear as natural as possible. Unfortunately, porcelain veneers cannot be whitened through teeth whitening methods. Patients who want to whiten their teeth should do so before the veneers are placed.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

Though porcelain veneers and dental crowns are often confused for one another, the two treatments are very different. Dental crowns are typically used for restorative dentistry treatment while porcelain veneers are considered more of a cosmetic dentistry treatment. Veneers can be great at improving the smile of patients by using thin pieces of porcelain to cover the front of the tooth. Crowns, which can be made of porcelain as well, are used to encapsulate the entire tooth to restore both the form and function of the natural tooth. Both treatments are popular choices, and Dr. Roberts and Dr. Straka will be able to determine which one suits you better at the time of your initial consultation.

Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs

Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Dental insurance companies typically do not cover porcelain veneers, as it is considered a cosmetic and therefore elective treatment. If you have any questions about your coverage, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to learn about the benefits offered by your plan.

Do porcelain veneers hurt?

When performed by a skilled and experienced dentist like Dr. Roberts and Dr. Straka, discomfort during the porcelain veneers procedure should be minimal. A numbing agent can be administered to reduce any potential pain you might feel during the procedure. At Roberts Dental Group, we also offer sedation dentistry to ease any anxieties you may have prior to and during the procedure.

Can porcelain veneers be whitened?

Porcelain veneers are designed to be stain resistant. For this reason, veneers cannot be brightened with teeth whitening treatments. If you desire a whiter shade in the future, you can opt to replace your porcelain veneers for a brighter color.

How many porcelain veneers can I get?

Porcelain veneers are a highly customizable treatment, and you can receive as many porcelain veneers as needed to achieve your desired outcome. Some patients only want to address one specific tooth, while others may opt for more veneers depending on overall oral health and individual cosmetic goals.

Will my veneers look natural?

Porcelain veneers are designed to produce natural-looking results that blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. Veneers are color-matched and shaped to resemble your natural teeth, while the removal of tooth enamel during the veneers process can prevent the tooth from appearing too bulky. Patients are more likely to see natural and satisfactory results when the procedure is performed by an experienced dentist like Dr. Roberts and Dr. Straka.

Are porcelain veneers permanent?

Since porcelain veneers are bonded to the tooth and the process entails the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel, the treatment is typically considered permanent. While veneers are known for offering long-lasting benefits, the longevity and integrity of your veneers can be influenced by aftercare maintenance. This means that if there is sufficient wear and tear over time because of poor maintenance, the veneers may need to be replaced.

For more information on porcelain veneers, contact our office to schedule a consultation.