Porcelain veneers are the ultimate in enduring beauty. When administered by our experienced cosmetic dentists in Eureka, they are unmatched in natural artistry and conservative treatment. Veneers are usually less than one millimeter in thickness, similar to a contact lens, and bonded directly to the teeth. They are made from your chosen shade of porcelain and can instantly correct tooth discoloration, chips, old fillings, misaligned teeth, and other smile deficiencies. With proper brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, they can last indefinitely and are proving to be one of the most abiding methods of restorative dentistry. Because porcelain veneers are only bonded to the outside of the teeth, sensitivity is seldom an issue.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, translucent shells that are bonded to the fronts of teeth in order to mask cracks, chips, gaps, misalignments, discoloration, and other minor aesthetic flaws. They are crafted from durable porcelain, which offers enhanced strength as well as a striking resemblance to natural tooth enamel, to blend in harmoniously with your smile. Once placed, porcelain veneers should feel like a natural part of your mouth. Plus, no additional maintenance besides normal brushing and flossing is required to maintain veneers. Typically requiring minimal preparation of the original tooth structure for results that often last decades, porcelain veneers can be a sophisticated way to restore the proportions of a full and youthful tooth structure.
What is the Difference Between Porcelain Veneers and Porcelain Crowns?
Porcelain veneers cover the front, most visible part of the tooth. Porcelain crowns, on the other hand, cover the entire tooth. While durable and natural-looking porcelain is utilized in both of these treatments, each procedure is designed for different purposes. Porcelain veneers are primarily used as a cosmetic enhancement to correct aesthetic dental flaws. Although they can simultaneously provide support to the tooth structure, their main function is not restorative. In contrast, porcelain crowns are designed to strengthen damaged and decayed teeth while enhancing their appearance in the process. Both procedures have aesthetic and functional benefits, but your unique dental needs can determine the most ideal treatment option.
Am I a Good Candidate For Porcelain Veneers?
If your smile contains cosmetic dental flaws, such as gaps, chips, “short” teeth, misalignment, or discoloration, porcelain veneers can often be an excellent solution to address these concerns. Ideal candidates for porcelain veneers wish to correct common aesthetic dental imperfections and have relatively healthy teeth and gums. Individuals with severe tooth decay, unhealthy gums, or a weak tooth structure may benefit from a more restorative treatment, such as our porcelain crown procedure.
What Types of Veneers are Available?
CEREC®
A CEREC® one-day restoration gives many of our patients the convenience of completing an entire dental procedure during a single office visit. Using digital impression technology and an in-office milling station, your porcelain veneers, crowns, or bridges can be custom-designed and attached with exceptional precision for natural-looking results. By cutting a third-party lab out of the process, there is typically no need to wait weeks for the creation of permanent restorations. This can allow patients to dramatically transform the appearance of their smiles in just one day.
Learn more about CEREC® one-day restorations.
Composite Veneers
Composite is a resin that contains glass particles. As you will see in our “Cosmetic Composite Veneer” section in our gallery, these can be as natural and aesthetically pleasing as porcelain veneers. The teeth require slight surface roughening, and then the material is sculpted right on the tooth surface with various layers. Usually, the veneers are finished in a single appointment with a shorter follow-up visit for refinements. The result is natural beauty that is more cost effective than porcelain. In the right case, composite veneers can be a great cosmetic option; however, they are typically more prone to staining and chipping than porcelain and repairs are the patient’s responsibility after the first year.
What is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?
During your consultation, we will show you our large gallery of smile makeovers so that you can choose what aligns with your desires. We will then formulate a plan to decide which treatment best fulfills your needs. Your tooth color, position of your gums, and unique bite will be taken into consideration and together, we will determine the treatment that will provide the most stable long-term results. We use several different porcelain systems, depending on the particular needs of each patient.
We use some of the finest ceramists in the world for our cosmetic porcelain veneers. Although the fee may be slightly higher, they provide a level of beauty that is unsurpassed in cosmetic dentistry. Our gallery features a variety of patients with several different porcelain systems. We meld a patient’s needs and cosmetic desires to create natural beauty and excellence that we expect to last for decades. Because these veneers are extremely thin, they blend in naturally with teeth and require almost no tooth preparation.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
The cost of porcelain veneers varies according to a patient’s dental needs. The ultimate cost is determined by multiple factors, including the number of veneers desired and the amount of tooth preparation necessary. Rest assured that you will be made fully aware of expenses before any treatment begins. Our practice believes that individuals should never sacrifice quality treatment for financial reasons, which is why we accept a variety of payment options and dental insurance plans. Depending on your needs, we can also discuss payment arrangements prior to treatment to ensure the cost of porcelain veneers is within your budget. Please don’t hesitate to raise any questions or concerns with a member of our team.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers can be of use for many years with good care, even lasting decades in some cases. If you are prone to clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep, wearing a night guard can help prevent any unnecessary damage to the veneer and further prolong their longevity.
How Do I Care For My Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers can remain in good condition with very minimal maintenance. In general, these cosmetic enhancements do not require any additional care beyond daily brushing and flossing. With good at-home oral hygiene routines and regular dental check-ups and cleanings, your veneers can last for decades. However, while porcelain veneers are incredibly durable, they are not indestructible; individuals who grind or clench their teeth during sleep may consider wearing a night guard to prevent unnecessary damage to the veneer.
Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?
Patient comfort is a top priority at Eureka Smiles, and we use advanced techniques to ensure you have the most relaxing experience possible while in our care. As such, patients typically report little to no discomfort during the porcelain veneer procedure. Because this is a conservative treatment, porcelain veneers generally require very minimal structural tooth adjustment, if any.
If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.
