Porcelain Veneers

The decision to enhance your smile with porcelain veneers is a personal one. Even a subtle change in your smile can make an exceptional difference in the way you look and feel, and on your social outlook.

When your smile is disfigured by decay, abrasion, chipping, breakage or imperfect development, our goal is to restore its natural beauty so you can smile with confidence. Porcelain veneers are thin, semi-translucent shells, custom-made to fit precisely over existing teeth, and look very natural. They are permanently bonded, held in place by a special resin that adheres the back of the veneer to the front of the tooth. Only a small amount of natural tooth structure is removed during the procedure. A healthy, natural look is achieved with little or no discomfort.

Are you a candidate for veneers?

Veneers are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions including:

  • Spaces between the teeth
  • Broken or chipped teeth
  • Unsightly, stained or washed-out fillings
  • Permanently stained or discolored teeth
  • Uneven or crooked teeth

At the first appointment the teeth are prepared, impressions taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. In two to three weeks the veneers are back from the laboratory, the temporaries are removed and the veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic, and are very esthetic.

The advantage of veneers versus crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are not recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure.

What can you expect from your veneers?

Veneers can last for years, depending on how well you take care of them. Because veneers are stronger than simple bonding, they are also more resistant to stains and chipping. However, it is important to maintain regular oral hygiene, to avoid bad habits such as biting nails or chewing ice, wear a Nightguard if recommended, and schedule regular appointments for routine cleaning and exams. These precautions will help ensure that your veneers last a long time and keep looking as good as new.

There’s no question that a beautiful smile goes a long way toward improving your self-confidence in both personal and professional circles. Take a moment to evaluate the appearance of your teeth. If you’re not completely happy with what you see, take some time to visit Dr. Bush so that he can evaluate your teeth to see if veneers are right for you and are if they are the best option to improve your smile.

Are porcelain veneers permanent?

While porcelain veneers are not permanent, they can last for years – up to a decade – when patients take good care of them. Dr. Bush will give you thorough instructions for how to maintain your porcelain veneers, and you’ll find that many of those directions overlap with the generally good oral hygiene practices that you should be incorporating into your everyday routine already.

Are porcelain veneers stain resistant?

Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant. However, just as it’s difficult for staining agents to penetrate the veneers’ surface, it’s also tough for bleaching agents to do so. Therefore, if you want to have your biological teeth whitened in addition to veneer placement, you should undergo that treatment first to be sure that the veneers match the desired shade of your teeth.

How durable are porcelain veneers?

Patients may think that porcelain veneers are fragile if they’re thinking of porcelain in other contexts, such as dolls or trinkets. However, after the veneer is bonded to the tooth, it becomes quite strong, almost as durable as the biological tooth itself. In fact, veneers are stronger than dental bonding alone. That being said, porcelain veneers are susceptible to the same kinds of damage that a biological tooth is, so it’s important to break any bad habits that could harm them, such as grinding your teeth or chewing on non-food items like ice cubes or pencils.

Will porcelain veneers appear whiter than the rest of my teeth?

Dr. Bush will customize the design of your porcelain veneers to blend in with the rest of your smile. The porcelain veneers are semi-translucent and share many optical qualities with biological tooth enamel. Furthermore, they are tailored to match the shade of your biological teeth for a uniform appearance. Keep in mind that when the veneers are ready, Dr. Bush can make further adjustments to their shade as desired by the patient prior to bonding them to the teeth.

Does dental insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are often considered to be a cosmetic treatment, so they are typically not covered by dental insurance. However, our practice is committed to working with patients to help them access the smile of their dreams. We accept a wide variety of payment options, including all major credit cards and Care Credit, which is a resource specifically for healthcare-related costs.