Do you have deep tooth stains? Are your dental injuries impacting the appearance of your smile? Receive professionally crafted porcelain veneers in our Newtown, PA dental office. Dental veneers are made of a durable porcelain ceramic that reflects light just like natural teeth.
Because our veneers are high-quality materials, they can last patients for many years. Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment for patients who want to brighten their teeth, cover tooth damage, and realign slightly crooked teeth.
Treatment with Porcelain Veneers
We remove a small portion of the tooth enamel to prepare the teeth for veneers. Gently etching into the tooth enamel creates a proper veneer bonding surface. After applying them to the teeth, we want to ensure that the porcelain veneers do not feel bulky or uncomfortable. Then, we take impressions of the teeth. Using these impressions, we can create custom porcelain veneers for our patients.
Once the veneers are complete, we will clean the teeth and apply bonding material to the prepared tooth surface. We ensure the dental veneers are the correct color and shape before permanently bonding them to the teeth.
What Porcelain Veneers Treat
Porcelain veneers treat dental problems, including discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps, and misalignment. They are a popular cosmetic dental solution because they offer a fast and effective way to enhance the appearance of your teeth without requiring extensive procedures.
One of the main issues porcelain veneers can treat is stained or discolored teeth. While teeth whitening treatments can work for many people, some stains are too deep or stubborn to be removed by regular whitening. This can include stains caused by aging, certain medications, or foods and drinks like coffee or red wine.
In these cases, porcelain veneers are an excellent solution. The veneers cover the stained teeth, providing a bright and uniform appearance. They also resist staining, so you won’t have to worry about discoloration over time.
Porcelain veneers are also ideal for treating chipped or cracked teeth. Accidents or everyday wear and tear can cause small chips or cracks in your teeth, making your smile look uneven or damaged. Instead of using crowns or fillings, which can sometimes look obvious, porcelain veneers offer a more aesthetic solution. They cover the damage and restore the tooth’s shape, making your smile look flawless. Veneers are durable and long-lasting, so they can provide a permanent fix for small imperfections.
Gaps and Misalignment
Another common problem porcelain veneers can address is gaps between teeth. Some people have small gaps between their teeth that they find bothersome, but they may not want to undergo braces or other orthodontic treatments. Porcelain veneers can close the gaps and give you a more even smile. They are designed to match the shape and size of your natural teeth, ensuring that the result looks balanced and natural. Veneers can also help improve the appearance of slightly crooked teeth, making your smile look straighter without the need for braces.
Porcelain veneers can also treat tooth misalignment. While veneers can’t correct severe misalignment, they can improve the appearance of mildly crooked teeth. Veneers can make slightly crooked teeth look straighter by reshaping them and creating a more even surface. This is an excellent option for people who don’t want to undergo long-term orthodontic treatment but still want to improve the alignment of their smile.
In addition to these common cosmetic concerns, porcelain veneers can also be used to treat worn-down teeth. Some people grind their teeth at night or have worn-down teeth due to aging, making their smile look less youthful. Porcelain veneers can restore the height and appearance of worn-down teeth, making your smile look fresh and rejuvenated.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers
Lumineers are a type of porcelain veneer. The main difference between regular porcelain veneers and Lumineers is that Lumineers are thinner. Lumineers can be directly placed onto a clean tooth without any preparation. They are also made of ultra-thin laminate that is about 0.3 mm thick. Although Lumineers are more costly than traditional porcelain veneers, they can benefit patients who may want a less permanent and more translucent cosmetic treatment.
Porcelain Veneers Benefits
Porcelain veneers offer many benefits, making them a popular choice for people looking to improve the appearance of their smiles. One of the biggest advantages is that they provide a fast, effective, and long-lasting solution to various dental issues.
1. Natural Look
Porcelain veneers are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. The material closely mimics the translucent quality of natural tooth enamel, making it nearly impossible to tell the difference between your veneers and your real teeth. The color of the veneers can be customized to match the shade of your surrounding teeth, providing a seamless and attractive smile.
2. Stain Resistance
One of the most significant benefits of porcelain veneers is their resistance to staining. Unlike natural teeth, which can discolor from foods, drinks, or smoking over time, porcelain veneers maintain their bright, white appearance. This makes them an excellent option for individuals who struggle with teeth stains that regular whitening treatments can’t remove. With proper care, porcelain veneers will stay white and vibrant for many years.
3. Durability and Longevity
Porcelain veneers are incredibly durable and can last 10 to 15 years with proper care. The material is strong and resistant to wear, meaning your veneers will continue to look good for a long time. While they are not immune to damage, they are much more durable than other cosmetic options like dental bonding, making them a long-term investment in your smile.
4. Minimally Invasive
Getting porcelain veneers is a relatively simple and minimally invasive procedure. Only a small amount of enamel is removed from your natural teeth to make room for the veneers, and no major dental work is needed. This makes the process quicker and more comfortable than other treatments like crowns or orthodontics, which can require extensive changes to the structure of your teeth.
5. Quick Results
One of the biggest advantages of porcelain veneers is the speed at which you can achieve a dramatically improved smile. The entire process typically takes two visits to the dentist: one to prepare the teeth and take impressions and another to place the custom-made veneers. Unlike braces or other treatments that take months or years to show results, porcelain veneers can give you a beautiful smile quickly.
6. Improved Confidence
Many people choose porcelain veneers to improve their appearance and boost their self-confidence. Veneers can transform your smile if you’re looking to fix discolored, chipped, or uneven teeth. Improving your appearance can lead to greater self-esteem and confidence in both personal and professional settings.
7. Better Teeth Function
In addition to improving the appearance of your teeth, porcelain veneers can also help restore their function. For example, veneers can restore the shape and structure of worn-down teeth, allowing you to bite and chew more effectively. If you have gaps between your teeth or uneven alignment, veneers can improve your bite and give you a more balanced smile.
8. Customizable
Porcelain veneers are fully customizable, which means they can be designed to match your specific needs and desires. Your dentist will work with you to choose the right color, shape, and size for your veneers to ensure they blend naturally with your other teeth. Whether you want a subtle change or a dramatic transformation, porcelain veneers can be tailored to your preferences.
9. Long-Term Investment
While the initial cost of porcelain veneers can be higher than other cosmetic treatments, they offer excellent value in the long run. Since they are durable, resistant to staining, and provide lasting results, porcelain veneers are an investment in the health and beauty of your smile. Regular maintenance and good oral hygiene can help ensure your veneers look great for many years.
10. No Need for Special Care
Caring for porcelain veneers is simple and requires no special products or treatments. As usual, brushing and flossing your teeth is usually sufficient to keep your veneers in good condition. You may want to avoid certain habits, like biting down on hard objects or grinding your teeth, to prevent damage, but maintaining veneers is no more difficult than caring for natural teeth.
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Do you want to learn more about veneers? Read answers to common questions about porcelain veneers below:
How long do dental veneers last?
With the right care, porcelain veneers can last patients 15 to 20 years. Although strong and resistant to chipping, veneers can become damaged like natural teeth. Continue to brush your veneers and floss between your teeth to maintain your veneers properly.
Can I whiten my porcelain veneers?
No, teeth whitening treatments don’t work on dental veneers. If you have old veneers that have become discolored over time, please contact our office. We will replace your old veneers with custom, new porcelain veneers. In addition, to keep your veneers bright, gently brush them and avoid staining foods or drinks.
How permanent are veneers?
Dental veneers stay on the teeth for many years. However, if you do not want to commit to veneers, you can try dental bonding or Lumineers. Because Lumineers are made of thin laminate, we can remove and replace them easily. Dental bonding is long-lasting but not as permanent as veneers.
How long is your mouth sore after veneers?
Pain in the teeth and gums can last for two to three weeks after placing veneers. When consuming hot or cold foods and beverages, patients may also experience sensitivity. Any discomfort or sensitivity should go away as you adjust to your veneers.
How do you keep your teeth clean with veneers?
We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily using nonabrasive toothpaste and a manual or electric toothbrush. To keep your teeth, veneers, and gums healthy and to get rid of food particles stuck between your teeth, it is also important to floss at least once a day.
Will peroxide damage porcelain veneers?
Patients should avoid using toothpaste with chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda after receiving porcelain veneer treatment at our office. Both of these substances have the potential to harm porcelain veneers.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you want to try dental veneer treatment? Request a dental consultation with our professional team on our website. You can also contact our Newtown dental office today at 267-692-2394. Let us know if you have further questions or concerns about your cosmetic treatment options.