Porcelain Veneers

The first step toward having veneers placed is to schedule a no-obligation consultation with us by calling us at (503) 647-4565. During your consultation, our main goal will be to find out what goals you would like to accomplish with your smile. Once we understand what it is you would like to accomplish with your smile, we can make recommendations based on what we as experts believe to be the best method to alter your smile. Many times we can accomplish our patient’s goals with a less expensive procedure like dental bonding or teeth whitening. Both dental bonding and teeth whitening allows us to breathe new life into your smile.

We have found that establishing and keeping an open line of communication about your dental work is paramount in giving you exactly what you are looking for. For this reason, we encourage all of our patients to call us at (503) 647-4565 anytime they have questions or concerns. Many people have heard of porcelain veneers and how they have the amazing ability to transform smiles. It’s important to remember that every mouth is different and what works for some may not be the best answer for others.

We will start the consultation by analyzing your smile to determine what steps will be necessary to give you the smile that you want. We may create a mock-up of your smile with veneers that you can wear over your teeth to help you visualize the results of the procedure. We will be able to show you a wide variety of cases that have been treated with porcelain veneers to help you understand what issues they are good at fixing. Sometimes we will even design a photo of how you might look with dental veneers to help you visualize how you would look with them – this is called cosmetic imaging.

Once we have discussed what you would like to do with your smile and how we can help you to accomplish your goals using veneers, the consultation will be done, and we will be able to schedule you for the procedure itself.

It usually takes at least two trips to our office to receive porcelain veneers. During the first trip, we will prepare your teeth to receive the veneers which require us to shave a small portion of the enamel off of your teeth. By removing the outer layers of enamel from your teeth, we are making room for the veneers. If we crafted veneers to sit on top of your teeth and did not remove any of the enamel from your teeth, the veneers would appear much too large to look natural or aesthetically pleasing.

Once we have removed the outer layer of enamel from your teeth, we will take an impression of your teeth which will be used to create your veneers. This is the final step of your first visit to our office. After the impression is made, we will send it to our dental lab so that they can use it to create your dental veneers. While the veneers are with our lab for fabrication, we place temporary veneers over your prepared teeth.

Porcelain veneers are made by hand in our dental laboratory where skilled porcelain technicians use an impression of your teeth to help fabricate these thin strips of porcelain. They paint layer after layer of porcelain onto the impression of your teeth until the desired aesthetic is achieved. The porcelain is baked and stained to match the color of your teeth perfectly. The inside of the veneer that is applied to your teeth is crafted with a special adhesive layering that makes it easier for us to place on your teeth.

Once we receive the finished veneers from our dental lab, it will be time for you to return to our office to have them placed on your teeth. The bond between the veneers and your teeth is a very important one because these strips of porcelain must remain on your teeth for many years, which is no small feat. We clean your teeth thoroughly and paint them with a light-sensitive permanent dental adhesive. We place the veneers onto your teeth and make sure they are positioned correctly before setting the adhesive permanently using a special ultraviolet light.

Dental veneers are the most powerful cosmetic options that we have available in cosmetic dentistry today. They have the ability to completely transform your smile. They are so versatile because they can fix such a wide range of cosmetic issues so easily and all-at-once. Some of the most common cosmetic issues that we treat using porcelain dental veneers are:

• Coloration issues like stained teeth or white marks on teeth
• Teeth that appear too small
• Teeth that appear too large
• Chipping and cracking of teeth featured in the smile
• Significant gaps between teeth
• Teeth that are overly crowded
• Teeth that are oddly shaped or positioned

Porcelain is one of the most commonly used materials to create tooth restorations because it shares a lot of aesthetic properties with teeth. Porcelain can mimic the look of natural teeth almost perfectly because it has the same “cloudy sheen” that natural teeth do. The way light interacts with porcelain produces a similar effect to the way it interacts with the enamel on your teeth,

Not only does porcelain look great, but it also provides a wide range of benefits as well. Porcelain resists staining much better than the enamel on your teeth does. It is also a very strong and durable substance that can last many years in your mouth while helping you to eat as you would with your natural teeth. Porcelain offers us the best combination of good looks and long life. It even resists the staining effects of tobacco, coffee, and wine, unlike the enamel on your teeth!

Because veneers are custom made for each patient that walks through our door, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between veneers and your real teeth. No two veneers are the same, and they are all made by master craftsmen who have many years of experience in porcelain. Dental veneers allow you to keep the vast majority of your natural tooth intact, unlike dental crowns that require your tooth to be significantly altered.

Veneers have to ability to fix a wide variety of issues all at the same time because of how versatile and flexible they are.

Anytime your teeth must be altered to receive a restoration the procedure is not considered reversible. We do have to remove a small portion of the enamel from the teeth that will be receiving veneers and the enamel does not grow back. Once we remove the enamel from your teeth, we will never be able to restore your tooth to its original condition.

It can take some time for your veneers to be crafted. As we have mentioned, they must be made by hand specifically for your teeth, and no two veneers are the same. You can expect it to take at least a week or two before they will be ready.

When we prepare your teeth to receive veneers on the first visit, they will become more sensitive to temperature change than normal. This is a temporary change and will eventually go away over time. You may experience a similar sensation after we place the veneers over your teeth.

While porcelain is a durable and long-lasting tooth restoration material, it does have its limitations. As a general rule of thumb, you should never use your teeth as a tool or bite hard objects like ice. Even your natural teeth can break and chip under significant pressure. Avoid biting your nails and using your teeth to help open plastic packaging of any variety.

Maintaining porcelain veneers is a fairly easy task. As long as you treat them as you would your natural teeth, they will last you a long time. Brush and floss them twice a day and always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste with fluoride.

We will schedule a follow-up appointment with you for one week following the placement of your veneers. During this time we will evaluate how your mouth has reacted to the veneers and discuss how you feel about them. This is an important appointment to keep even if you feel happy with your new veneers so please make sure that you can make it.

If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, we may need to fit you for a brux guard to protect your new investment. Clenching is often a bad habit that you can break yourself of as long as you commit to being mindful of when and why you are clenching.

It’s very important that you return to our office at least once every six months so that we can clean and examine your teeth and restorations. During this time we can catch oral health issues as well as problems that could be forming in your veneers and fix them before they become a more serious issue.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers that we get about dental veneers.

Will I get cavities if I get veneers?

Tooth decay rates are no higher or lower in those who have veneers over those who do not as long as brushing and flossing remains a mainstay. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly, and you should not have to worry about cavities because of veneers.

Will my teeth be more sensitive after receiving veneers?

Dental restorations like veneers and crowns require two trips to our office to complete. During the first trip, we will remove some of your natural teeth to prepare them for restoration. During the second trip to our office, we will place the restoration on your tooth permanently. After each of these visits, it is common for you to experience some sensitivity to heat and cold sensations.

If my teeth are reshaped for veneers, what will they look like?

After the first visit where we prepare your teeth to receive veneers, we always place temporary veneers on your teeth to give them a more pleasing aesthetic while you wait for your permanent veneers. Temporary veneers may cost extra if you choose to have them placed. If you do not have temporary veneers placed your teeth will look very similar to how they looked originally, but slightly smaller.

How long do dental veneers last?

You can expect your veneers to last somewhere between 7 and 20 years. They can be easily replaced or repaired depending on the kind of damage that they suffer. Make sure to brush and floss regularly to extend their lifetime.

Do porcelain veneers stain?

Porcelain will never stain.

Does dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?

It depends on the insurance that you have. Many dental insurance plans will not cover any part of the dental veneer procedure. Some dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the procedure. Make sure to discuss this with your dental insurance provider before going through with the procedure.

Are you interested in getting porcelain veneers? Give us a call at (503) 647-4565 or book an appointment with us online today!