Porcelain Veneers

Above: Before & After pictures of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are made of a material that is custom shaped to mimic the appearance of a well formed tooth. They are thin as a shell to be placed over the top of existing teeth to change aspects of their appearance and at the same time very strong and durable.

What are Porcelain Veneers used for?

Porcelain veneers cover the appearance of teeth that have lost their aesthetic appeal. Following are some of the examples of porcelain aesthetic restorations performed.

• Discolored teeth – A veneer can be colored to realistically match healthier colored teeth
• Worn, chipped or broken teeth
• An irregular shaped or positioned tooth – a porcelain veneer can be placed to appear as a tooth that is perfectly shaped and fits in well with the surrounding teeth
• Gaps between teeth – A porcelain veneer can fill in the space between teeth including the not too uncommon gap in top front teeth

Are Porcelain Veneers for you?

Porcelain veneers are not designed to replace or function as a tooth, but instead are for aesthetic purposes. If anything, teeth you don’t find aesthetically pleasing yourself can profoundly affect your self-esteem and ability to conduct yourself properly in social and professional situations. Porcelain Veneers are a means of re-establishing any confidence lost from teeth you are not happy with.

Am I a candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

When considering Porcelain Veneers, more than one consultation with the dentist will be required. The first consultation or two will involve the discussing how you want your tooth/teeth to appear and the doctor will establish if your teeth satisfies the requirements to support a porcelain Veneer. This may involve X-Rays of your teeth and gums.

Does it hurt?

The first stage will involve enamel removal approximate to the thickness of the porcelain veneer off the surface of the tooth; this is roughly half a millimeter of enamel. You and the dentists will establish as to whether a local anesthetic will be required.

How is a porcelain Veneer Made?

When the tooth/teeth in question have been cut back for the veneer, an impression is made and this is sent to a laboratory for the veneers to be constructed. It can take up to a few weeks for the veneers to be returned to your dentist, ready to be bonded to your teeth.

Your dentist will fit the veneer by attaching the veneer multiple times, making the necessary adjustments before the final bonding. He may change the shape of the veneer for proper fitting or change the color.

Bonding a porcelain Veneer

Your teeth are prepared to be bonded with the veneer. They are cleaned, polished and then etched so that a rough surface is made, the optimal surface for strongly bonding the porcelain veneer with resin cement.

The resin cement is then applied and the veneer placed on top. Once it has been correctly maneuvered into the correct position a special light beam is applied to the cement that quickly hardens it. The area is then cleaned of extra cement and the dentist will ask you to come back in a few weeks for a checkup.

How much to Porcelain Veneers Cost

Veneers do not come cheap but many justify and live without regret when they feel more confident with better looking teeth. They can cost anywhere between $500 and $1500 each and may be covered by insurance. They will last for up to 10 years. Good oral hygiene is expected with porcelain veneers just as you would normal healthy teeth.  As durable as they are a little extra care will need to be taken when it comes to eating tough foods and be sure to avoid grinding of your teeth.

Coming Soon - Porcelain Veneers Dentist Database

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