Veneers

Of all the methods available today for changing and improving the look of your smile, veneers are among the most popular and successful with our patients. The process involves removing a small amount of tooth structure to make room for the veneers. The dental lab then fabricates the veneers from impressions. After placement, the veneers look like natural teeth. Some advantages of porcelain veneers over bonding include increased longevity, and resistance to staining. The photos you see above, are an example of a patient who had dark, discolored front teeth as compared to her other whiter and brighter teeth.

What types of problems do dental veneers fix?

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

  • Teeth that are discolored because of:

    • root canal treatment

    • stains from tetracycline or other drugs

    • excessive fluoride

    • large resin fillings

    • other causes

  • Teeth that are worn down

  • Teeth that are chipped or broken

  • Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)

  • Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)

Dental Veneer Procedure

Getting a dental veneer usually requires three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can undergo the veneering process at the same time. During your consultation we will take some digital images of your teeth and discuss what it is that you want to change in your smile. The goal during this appointment is for you to feel confident in creating and designing your ideal smile, with the added guidance of a professional and experienced cosmetic dentist.

The next step is preparing the tooth for the placement of the veneers. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, Dr. Pinho will slightly reshape the tooth surface to allow room for your new veneer. Next, Dr. Pinho fabricates a digital 3D model, or impression, of your teeth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which makes your veneer(s). It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the veneers to come back from the laboratory. Temporary dental veneers can be used in the meantime.

Dr. Pinho will then try the veneer(s) on your tooth to examine its fit and color, this may involve repeatedly removing and trimming the veneer to make sure it’s the perfect fit, before permanently cementing it to your tooth. The veneer color and shade can be adjusted depending on the shade of cement being used.  Next, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. Etching roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and it is then placed on your tooth. Once the veneer is properly positioned, your dentist will shine a special light beam on it known as a curing light, causing it to harden very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, checking your bite and making any necessary adjustments. We may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check your gums and the veneer’s placement.

What are the benefits of having dental veneers?

  • They provide a natural tooth appearance.

  • Gums tolerates porcelain well.

  • Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

  • A color can be selected to make dark teeth appear whiter.

  • They generally don’t require as much shaping as crowns do, yet they are stronger and look better.

Are there downsides to getting dental veneers?

As beautiful as they are, veneers are not for everyone. Take these points into consideration if you are looking into getting dental veneers:

  • The process cannot be undone.

  • Veneers cost more than composite resin bonding.

  • Veneers usually cannot be repaired if they chip or crack.

  • Because enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks.

  • Veneers may not exactly match the color of your other teeth. Also, the veneer’s color cannot be altered once it’s in place. If you plan on whitening your teeth, you need to do so before getting veneers.

  • Though not likely, veneers can dislodge and fall off. To minimize the chance of this occurring, do not bite your nails, chew on pencils, ice or other hard objects, or otherwise put too much pressure on your teeth.

  • Teeth with veneers can still experience decay, possibly necessitating full coverage of the tooth with a crown.

  • Veneers are not a good choice for people with unhealthy teeth (for example, those with decay or active gum disease), weakened teeth (as a result of decay, fracture, large dental fillings), or for those who don’t have enough existing enamel on the tooth surface.

  • People who clench and grind their teeth are poor candidates for porcelain veneers, as this can cause the veneers to crack or chip.

What is the lifespan of dental veneers?

Veneers generally have a lifespan of 7 to 15 years. After this time, most veneers need to be replaced.

Are there alternatives to getting dental veneers?

Alternatives to veneers may include bondings and crowns. Veneers are a great in-between option. Veneers may be your best choice if you want to change the shape of your teeth more than just a little bit, as is done with bonding, but not enough to require a full crown.

Schedule a visit with Dr. Pinho today by calling our office at 805-568-3733 to have a cosmetic consultation to see if veneers are right for you!

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