A General Overview Of Cosmetic Dentistry Veneers
Dental veneers are tooth-colored and tooth-shaped wafers of porcelain attached to the front face of your teeth. They don’t serve any functional purposes, but they instantly improve the appearance of your teeth. If you have numerous cosmetic problems, such as stained, misaligned, crooked, and chipped teeth, porcelain veneers can instantly address all those cosmetic problems. The porcelain veneers are artistically designed according to your facial anatomy, and the cosmetic dentist selects the ideal shade for your teeth. This gives you an instantly brilliant smile.
What Is The Porcelain Veneers Procedure?
- Consultation: Your porcelain veneers procedure starts with a thorough consultation. The dentist will examine your teeth, run some tests, and discuss your concerns. The dentist will determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure — you can only get porcelain veneers if your concerns are purely cosmetic and you have optimal oral health. The dentist will also use special visualizing software to predict how your teeth will look at the end of the procedure.
- Preparation: During your first appointment, the dentist will shave a few millimeters off the front surface of your teeth, i.e., the enamel. This is done to make space in your mouth for the porcelain veneers. However, if you get Lumineers (ultra-thin veneers), the dentist may not have to adjust your existing teeth.
- Impression: The dentist will apply a putty-like substance to your teeth. Once the dental putty hardens, the dentist will send it to the laboratory to create the ideal set of porcelain veneers. The dentist may also use 3D imaging technology to send digital impressions without a dental mold or putty.
- Fitting: You’ll have to wear temporary veneers for a few days, which is the time taken for the dental laboratory to prepare the porcelain veneers. Once the dental veneers are ready, you’ll go back to the dentist for a fitting. The dentist will apply an acidic gel to your teeth to roughen up the surface. Next, the dental veneers will be attached to your teeth using dental cement, and a special light will be used to harden the cement.
- Adjustment: The dentist will make final adjustments to your veneers according to your teeth, ensuring they look perfect. The permanent veneers will be bonded to your teeth in a few minutes, and then you can resume your daily activities without downtime.
How Durable Are Dental Veneers?
Porcelain dental veneers are extremely durable. Although dental veneers are made of extremely thin wafers of porcelain, it’s an extremely stable and sturdy material that can withstand years of wear and tear. Porcelain veneers can easily withstand bite force, and you can eat whatever you want. However, you should not do anything you wouldn’t do with regular teeth, such as biting hard nuts, ice cubes, and other hard objects or opening bottle caps with your teeth.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Porcelain dental veneers last for an average of 10 years. However, with proper maintenance and optimal oral hygiene, they may even last up to 20 years.
Are Dental Veneers Worth It?
Dental veneers are completely worth it if you have multiple cosmetic concerns needing attention. Teeth whitening is generally the recommended treatment for discolored or stained teeth. However, teeth whitening only removes surface stains, and it can’t brighten intrinsically stained teeth. If you have intrinsically discolored teeth, you’ll need veneers. Furthermore, if you have chipped, slightly crooked, or misaligned teeth, you can get porcelain veneers to conceal all of them at once. This instantly brightens your smile, and you don’t need to undergo years of treatments.
Will The Color Match My Other Teeth?
If you get a few individual dental veneers, the dentist will match their color to the precise shade of the surrounding teeth. As such, the veneers will cover up the cosmetic concerns while blending with your existing teeth. However, if you get full mouth dental veneers, the dentist may recommend selecting another shade, i.e., the ideal brightness and shade for your mouth.
Are Veneers Reversible?
Porcelain dental veneers are not reversible. To get porcelain veneers, the surface of your teeth needs to be shaved off. As such, if you get your dental veneers removed, you’ll be left with smaller teeth. If your porcelain veneers are damaged, you can instead get them replaced with a new set of veneers.
Furthermore, you can also ask the dentist if you’re a candidate for Lumineers, an advanced form of ultra-thin veneers. The dentist doesn’t need to shave off your existing enamel to accommodate Lumineers — they’re simply bonded to your existing teeth. As such, Lumineers are reversible.
Will I Have Limitations After The Procedure?
No. There are no limitations after the dental veneers procedure. You can resume your daily activities and work immediately.
Will There Be A Recovery Time?
No. The porcelain veneers procedure doesn’t involve a recovery period. You may experience mild sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for a few hours, but that sensation will pass.
What Is The Average Cost Of Veneers?
The average cost of veneers depends on numerous factors, such as the type of veneers, the material used, the number of veneers, and more. Please contact your dentist to determine how much full mouth veneers will cost you.
Where Can I Get Dental Veneers Near Me?
URBN Dental is one of the leading state-of-the-art dental clinics specializing in cosmetic dentistry veneers in Houston, TX. Our cosmetic dentist will carefully examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and curate the ideal dental veneers treatment plan for you. Each set of dental veneers is designed according to your unique goals, helping you achieve a brilliant smile. You can find our dental clinics in Midtown Houston, Uptown Houston, and Montrose. Please schedule an appointment to determine if you’re a candidate for veneers today.
