Do you hide your teeth when you laugh or smile? If you are too embarrassed to show your smile around other people, cosmetic dental care can help. Porcelain veneers are shells of tooth-colored porcelain that can cover the front teeth. Veneers can fix cosmetic issues in the smile line or the teeth that show when you smile. At Hebron Family Dental, we provide cosmetic dental treatment with porcelain veneers in Carrollton, TX.
Are Porcelain Veneers For Me?
If you want to improve the look of your smile, porcelain veneers might be a great option for you! Veneers are thin, custom shells that cover the front of your teeth to hide flaws and make your smile look more even and attractive. Some of the most common problems veneers can solve include:
- Small gaps between teeth
- Black triangles
- Chipped teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Uneven teeth
- Short teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Cracked teeth
Tooth veneers can treat multiple cosmetic problems at once.
The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers in Carrollton, TX
Dental veneers provide many benefits for patients who want cosmetic treatment. Veneers are:
- Non-Porous: Veneers don’t absorb stains like natural teeth do. Because they resist stains from foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and dark-colored sauces, they help keep your smile bright and white for years. You can enjoy your favorite foods and drinks.
- Long-Lasting: The porcelain used for veneers can withstand daily wear. If you brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist for checkups, your veneers can stay in great shape for 10 years or more. They offer a long-term solution to changing your smile.
- Natural-Looking: Porcelain reflects light like your natural tooth enamel, which gives veneers a realistic shine. We will color-match the veneers to your other teeth, so they blend in perfectly. You can enjoy a natural-looking, beautiful smile that feels like it’s truly yours.
- Easy to Care For: You don’t need any special products to care for veneers. You can brush and floss just like your natural teeth, which helps keep your mouth healthy. Our dentist can also ensure your veneers and gums stay in good condition.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Veneers?
Patients must have enough natural tooth structure to be candidates for veneers. Veneers require this structure for tooth preparation. When we prepare the teeth, we remove a small portion of the natural tooth. Tooth preparation ensures that the veneers fit comfortably and do not look bulky.
However, patients who receive veneers must be committed to covering their teeth. We cannot reverse the tooth preparation process. Good candidates for veneers want to cover their cosmetic imperfections permanently.
In addition, patients must generally be in good oral health before cosmetic dental treatments. We provide general and restorative treatments to remove decay, address gum disease, and address other common dental problems.
Our office will not recommend dental veneers for patients who clench and grind their teeth. Bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding, is a common sign of TMJ disorders. It can damage and loosen the veneers.
The Porcelain Veneers Procedure in Carrollton, TX
You can get veneers in several visits to our dental office. The steps to veneer treatment includes:
Tooth Preparation
To begin veneer treatment, our dentist will use a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort during treatment.
Our dentist will color-match the teeth to ensure that single veneers match the surrounding natural teeth. Color-matching also ensures that complete sets of veneers match one another.
Then, our dentist will prepare the teeth. Tooth preparation involves removing about 0.5 millimeters of enamel, which is about the thickness of a fingernail. This small amount of enamel makes space for the veneer to fit naturally over your tooth and look smooth and even.
Then, we take dental impressions of the prepared teeth and send them to a dental lab. Lab technicians use these dental impressions as a blueprint to create the veneers. Technicians follow the natural contour of your teeth and create the veneers with high-quality, reflective porcelain.
Temporary Veneers
You will receive temporary veneers as the dental lab creates your permanent veneers to help protect your teeth. We place temporary veneers over your teeth to protect them. You wait for the final veneers, which can take several weeks. Temporary veneers help maintain your smile’s look and protect your teeth.
Final Veneers
Once the final veneers are complete, you will return to our office. Then, our dentist will double-check the color and shape of the veneers on your teeth. When our dentist determines the veneers are a perfect match, they will place them with composite.
A full set of veneers typically consists of six to eight teeth. Veneers only cover the teeth that show when you smile. Whether you need one veneer or a full set, we can help.
How to Care For Dental Veneers
After you get veneers, you must care for them to keep them bright and healthy. We recommend these tips:
Avoid Certain Foods
Right after getting your veneers, avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods. While veneers are strong, it takes time to get used to them. Stick to soft foods at first, and then slowly add crunchier foods as your mouth adjusts.
Avoid Tobacco and Staining Foods and Drinks
Although veneers are stain-resistant, they can still get stained over time. Tobacco can stain the material that bonds veneers to your teeth, and certain foods and drinks can lead to discoloration.
Brush and Floss Regularly
You can brush and floss veneers just like your natural teeth. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste, as some whitening toothpastes have gritty materials that could scratch the surface of your veneers. Brush gently in circular motions, and remember to floss before brushing to remove leftover food and bacteria.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Learn more about porcelain veneers in our Carrollton, TX dental office with answers to these commonly asked questions:
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Veneers can last ten to fifteen years. To ensure they last, gently brush and floss your veneers, teeth, and gums daily. Visit our office every six months for routine exams and dental cleanings. We will also examine your veneers at these visits to ensure they stay in great shape.
How much are dental veneers?
The size, material, location, and number of veneers contribute to cost. During a consultation in our office, we will discuss your cosmetic goals and examine your mouth to determine how many veneers you need. Porcelain veneers may cost more than other veneers, including composite veneers. However, porcelain veneers are more durable and last longer than composite veneers.
Are veneers painful?
Veneers may seem painful because we remove a small portion of the tooth to prepare the surface for them. However, we ensure you feel comfortable when you get them. We will numb your tooth so you do not feel pain during tooth preparation.
After treatment, you may feel slight tooth sensitivity. Avoid hard and crunchy foods directly after treatment and take over-the-counter medication. This sensitivity will fade.
Can you get infections under dental veneers?
If you have damaged or old veneers, you can experience dental infections. In addition, if a dentist improperly installs your veneers, you can experience tooth decay. Please contact our office if you notice changes in the fit of your veneers. It’s not normal for your veneers to feel uncomfortable; you may have a dental infection.
Can veneers fall off easily?
Your dental veneers should not fall off of your teeth. However, if a dentist does not place the veneers properly, they can pop off the teeth. Veneers can also loosen if you clench or grind your teeth or sustain damage to your veneers. Otherwise, if you care for your veneers, it will be difficult for them to loosen.
How do veneers compare to dental bonding?
Veneers and teeth bonding treatments are similar because they can treat tooth gaps, stains, chips, cracks, and slightly crooked teeth. Many patients wonder which option is right for them.
Veneers:
- Use durable and stain-resistant porcelain.
- Last 10-15 years or more with proper care.
- Are strong and resistant to chips and stains.
- Cost more because they are custom-made and longer-lasting.
- Require some enamel removal and usually take two visits.
Bonding:
- Uses a tooth-colored resin material that blends with your teeth but can stain over time.
- Lasts around 3-7 years and may need touch-ups.
- Is less durable and more likely to chip or stain over time.
- Offers more affordable and typically quicker treatment.
- Is done in one visit and doesn’t require enamel removal.
Our dentist will work with you to see if bonding or veneers are right for your cosmetic needs, budget, and goals.
How do traditional veneers compare to minimal prep veneers?
With traditional veneers, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from the front of your teeth. This makes room for the veneers so they don’t look bulky or stick out. Because they require removing enamel, they’re a permanent choice.
Minimal prep veneers, sometimes called “no-prep” veneers, are a thinner option. They usually don’t need much enamel removed, if any at all. These veneers can still improve your tooth color, shape, or size. However, they may not last as long as traditional veneers.
Can porcelain veneers fix crooked teeth?
Yes, porcelain veneers can help make slightly crooked teeth look straight! Veneers are thin shells custom-made to fit over the front of your teeth. They can hide minor alignment issues to make your smile look straighter without braces or aligners.
However, veneers work best for teeth that are only a little crooked. If you have misaligned teeth, our dentist might suggest braces or clear aligners. But veneers can be a great way to create a smooth, even look for your smile for small, crooked areas.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today
Do you want to cover stained or damaged teeth permanently? Get porcelain veneers at Hebron Family Dental in Carrollton, TX. Call 972-236-5871 or request a dental appointment on our website.
If you have questions about veneers or your candidacy for veneer treatment, let us know at your next visit. We will find the best cosmetic treatment for you.