What are veneers?
Cosmetic veneers are the most popular and effective means of transforming your smile within one or two sessions. A dental veneer is essentially a thin wafer of porcelain or composite resin material that’s bonded to the front face of your tooth. It can instantly transform the external appearance of your teeth, making them look white, bright, even, and proportional. You can get dental veneers for teeth on some of your teeth to address specific cosmetic problems, such as chipped or cracked teeth, or you can apply veneers on all of your visible teeth. Cosmetic veneers work instantly, transforming your smile in an instant.
What are the different veneer types?
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is the most attractive and durable material for dental veneers. Porcelain veneers are extremely biocompatible, so they don’t damage your healthy gum tissues and other soft tissues in the mouth. They also look completely natural because porcelain resembles the shade, texture, and translucent quality of natural enamel, so the results are indistinguishable from natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are permanent, i.e., the dentist has to shave some of the existing enamel from your teeth to accommodate porcelain veneers.
Composite Veneers
Composite resin is a combination of organic and inorganic materials often used for dental fillings. You can get composite veneers if you want to enhance the appearance of a few individual teeth, especially if you want to hide minor stains, discoloration, or chips on the teeth. The dentist may apply the composite veneers on your teeth after shaving off some of the enamel, or they may simply bond some of the composite material to specific locations on your teeth, which requires no preparation.
No-Prep Veneers (Lumineers)
No-prep veneers are ultra-thin dental veneers that can be attached to the front face of your teeth without shaving off any of the existing enamel. They are extremely smooth to the touch and thin, so they resemble natural teeth. Lumineers only measure a few millimeters, so they can slide over your existing teeth without removing enamel. The Lumineers can later also be removed without damaging the underlying teeth. This is a suitable option for individuals who want to enhance their smiles without removing the natural enamel.
Temporary Veneers
Temporary veneers, also known as snap-on veneers, are custom-made veneers that can fit on your mouth comfortably. The dentist takes impressions of your teeth and sends them to the dental laboratory for preparation. The dental technician will create the ideal temporary veneers for you, which will be attached to your existing teeth. Temporary veneers aren’t bonded to your teeth, so they can be removed whenever you want. They’re also not as natural-looking as porcelain veneers. But if you simply want to “test” out the results before committing to porcelain veneers, they might be a suitable option.
How are dental veneers applied to teeth?
The permanent veneers process is fairly simple. During your first dental veneer appointment, the cosmetic dentist will carefully examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and curate a personalized treatment plan for you. The dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a dental mold, which will be sent to the laboratory. The cosmetic dentist will also design the ideal shape and shade of porcelain veneers based on your goals and dental anatomy. It’s not advisable to have extremely white teeth because they look unnatural, but the dentist will collectively select the ideal shade for your teeth.
After taking impressions of your teeth, the dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers. The preparation procedure involves scraping off the surface enamel from your teeth, which will prepare your teeth for the final veneers. You will receive temporary veneers for your teeth, which can be worn until the permanent veneers are done. Once the permanent veneers are complete, the dentist will bond them to the surface of your teeth using dental cement and a specialized lamp. The entire procedure is painless, and you can receive completely natural-looking porcelain veneers within two sessions.
Are veneers permanent?
Porcelain veneers are permanent because the dentist needs to shave off some of your existing enamel to accommodate them. Once you get porcelain veneers, you will always need porcelain veneers on your teeth. While porcelain veneers are permanent, they don’t necessarily last a lifetime. In most cases, porcelain veneers have to be replaced after 15 to 20 years. Once the veneers are worn down, you will need another set of dental veneers.
Are veneers removable?
Porcelain veneers aren’t removable. If you want the ability to remove your dental veneers, you can get snap-on or temporary veneers. Only a dentist can remove porcelain veneers, and only if they’re significantly damaged. After removing the damaged veneers, the dentist may provide new porcelain veneers.
How much are veneers?
The cost of veneers depends on numerous factors, including the materials used (porcelain or composite resin), whether you’re getting permanent veneers or temporary veneers, the location and size of veneers, and various other factors. Your dentist will provide a complete overview of the permanent veneers cost after a thorough evaluation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of veneers?
Advantages of Veneers:
- Can cover all cosmetic problems at once
- Restore optimal dental alignment in two sessions
- Instantly transform the external appearance of your teeth
- Extremely safe and durable procedure
- No harsh side effects or complications
- Porcelain veneers are indistinguishable from natural teeth
- Porcelain veneers last for 15 to 20 years
Disadvantages of Veneers:
- The existing enamel might have to be shaved down
- May cause tooth sensitivity after the session
Schedule an appointment for your permanent veneers in Houston
Dentist Veneers Houston is one of the most reliable cosmetic dental clinics specializing in porcelain veneers and permanent veneers in Houston. Our dental clinics use their considerable skills and artistic intuition to help you achieve the ideal veneers to transform your smile. We have state-of-the-art dental offices in Uptown Houston, Midtown Houston, Montrose, and Upper Kirby. Please schedule an appointment for your permanent veneers in Houston.
