Dental Veneers

Porcelain and composite bonding are the most common veneer materials. Composite veneers are made of resin that is shaped and bonded to a tooth to enhance the appearance. Porcelain veneers are usually made in a lab and are more resistant to staining, compared to other materials.

Ask your prosthodontist which option is best for you.  If the needed changes are minor and the teeth function properly, cosmetic bonding is an appropriate choice.  If teeth are spaced, broken, dark, and/or the patient clenches or grinds their teeth, then porcelain veneers may be the preferred option.

Dental veneers are a great solution for people with discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned, spaced, uneven, or irregularly shaped front teeth.

Getting a porcelain veneer is usually a multi-step process. The first step is to get a consultation with a prosthodontist. At this visit, you can outline your goals and concerns, and a prosthodontist will explain how veneers will work for you. X-rays or impressions of your teeth may be needed. The second step is to prepare the tooth for the veneer. A small amount of tooth structure is removed and an impression is made. The prosthodontist will then place temporary veneers. At the next appointment, the temporaries are removed, and the final veneer is bonded to your tooth.

In the case of veneers made from tooth-colored filling material, or composite bonding, this is a one-appointment process in which the prosthodontist will remove a small amount of tooth structure and bond filling material to your teeth. This type of veneer is not as long-lasting and doesn’t resist staining as well as a porcelain veneer.

The preparation of veneers preserves the most amount of tooth structure, as very little needs to be removed.  They can improve the appearance of your teeth, and gum tissues respond well to dental veneers.  The color can be custom-selected, and in the case of porcelain veneers, they are stain-resistant.

Once you have had your tooth prepared for the veneer, the process is not reversible. In the case that a veneer cracks, it is difficult to repair without having to replace the entire veneer. It is important to not have habits like pen-chewing or nail-biting as these can crack the veneer. Veneers are not a good option for people with poor gum health. In addition, people who grind or clench their teeth are at risk of chipping or cracking their veneers. Lastly, veneers are still susceptible to decay so you must maintain optimal oral health and visit your dentist regularly.

If you have stained or chipped teeth, you might be interested in veneers as they will cover up your existing teeth. They are also a popular treatment for smile makeovers or for individuals who want their dream smile.

If you have extensive tooth decay, it’s not wise to simply cover it up with veneers. Talk to your prosthodontist about removing the decay before getting started. If you grind your teeth, this could also be a problem but your prosthodontist may offer you a solution to help guard against damaging your veneers, such as a mouth night guard.

Typically, a veneer lasts approximately 5-10 years. They do not require any special care other than regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the prosthodontist. If they are properly cared for then they can last much longer. Professional cleanings every 6 months and yearly exams are highly recommended.

A prosthodontic consultation is needed to determine how many veneers are required or if veneers are the best option. It is a good idea to have an even number of veneers. Two, four, eight, ten, or twelve veneers give the best aesthetic results.

Brushing two times each day for two minutes, flossing daily, and wearing a bite guard at night are great ways to protect the veneers. It is also beneficial to avoid eating very hard foods like almonds or cracking shells with the front veneers.

The porcelain veneer is very strong and should not break under normal circumstances. If gum recession occurs the root of the tooth may become exposed. Patients may want new veneers to cover the roots. The integrity of veneered teeth is marginally compromised, and the veneer is bonded to the existing teeth. There is no higher incidence of decay provided that the veneers are properly cared for as detailed above, with regular brushing with toothpaste and flossing.

The cost of porcelain veneers will vary depending on where you are having them done, and on how many teeth.

It depends on your dental insurance. Some insurance companies will cover up to 50% of a fee they see as reasonable but don’t expect payment without first discussing the procedure with both your prosthodontist and insurance provider.

Ask your prosthodontist to show you other cases of veneers they have done, specifically cases that look like your situation.
Ask how many patients they have treated with veneers.
Ask if they use a dental lab that specializes in cosmetic dental veneers.
Ask if the prosthodontist can show you what your veneers will look like before they are permanently placed.

A digital smile preview can be made by taking a picture of the patient’s face and digitally editing the teeth.  This will give a patient a very good idea of the aesthetic outcome and help them determine if veneers are right for them.

This concern will be addressed by your prosthodontist. Most people get their veneers in a whiter shade than their natural teeth and then undergo tooth whitening to create a matching aesthetic.

Typically patients are numb for the veneering process. There should be no pain during the procedure once numbness takes effect. With smaller cases (two or four veneers) there will be very little or no discomfort after the numbness subsides. Patients should expect some soreness of the gums and possibly the jaw in cases that involve eight or more veneers. The soreness can typically be alleviated with over-the-counter medications.

In some veneer cases, contouring the gums will give a better cosmetic outcome. It is done to create symmetry and lengthen short teeth. Most gum contouring causes no additional discomfort during or after treatment. On rare occasions, surgical contouring must be done if the teeth are very short. Patients are referred to a periodontist for this procedure.

You can eat most foods but each patient has a different bite. Therefore, we recommend eating softer foods for the first few days until the patient gets used to the new bite position. After several weeks there is no limitation unless your case has specific needs. The most common foods to avoid are ice, hard biscuits, hard candy, caramel apples, hard nuts, pumpkin seeds, and popcorn.

Stop all bad teeth habits immediately, such as nail biting, straw chewing, fork nibbling, opening bags with teeth, pulling on clothing or gloves with teeth, and anything that will put undue stress on the veneers.

Try not to panic. Sometimes this happens, although it’s rare. Please try to save the veneer. Do NOT use crazy glue. Please call the prosthodontist’s office and they should try to get you in as soon as possible. Your tooth may be sensitive to cold foods or liquids when the veneer is off.

Yes! You can brush all your teeth the same way. You can floss all the veneered teeth and you should continue your regular hygiene appointments as you have in the past.

One alternative is called the ‘Snap on Smile’. This is something you wear over your teeth to give the illusion of a straighter, whiter smile. It does not look as natural as Lumineers or veneers but some people prefer this option.

If the dental situation is appropriate, traditional porcelain veneers can be made the same way as Lumineers without tooth preparation. It is best to consult a prosthodontist to find the best fit for you.