Stained, crooked, misaligned, or chipped teeth can often be easily fixed with porcelain veneers. In a process known as “instant orthodontics,” cosmetic dentist Colin Morton, DDS uses porcelain veneers to change the shape, length, and alignment of teeth to create a beautiful smile. Using strong, thin layers of porcelain, Dr. Morton is able to effectively conceal both major and minor imperfections in your teeth. The process is simple and can be completed in as little as two visits. For those individuals who don’t want to spend years caring for braces, porcelain veneers can often be used to not only change the shape of their teeth, but also to close gaps between teeth and correct misalignment.
Porcelain veneers are an excellent cosmetic dentistry treatment that may be able to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. If you are interested in this popular dental care option, we encourage you to continue reading the information provided below, or contact our practice today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Morton.
- What Are Porcelain Veneers?
- Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
- Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns
- Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers
- Porcelain Veneers Process
- Cost of Porcelain Veneers
- Porcelain Veneers Results
- Caring for Porcelain Veneers
- Porcelain Veneers Alternatives
- Porcelain Veneers FAQs
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin, translucent shells that are affixed to the front surfaces of teeth to conceal a variety of cosmetic dental concerns. Due to the porcelain material’s durability and realistic look, veneers offer patients a natural-looking smile enhancement that can last many years when proper oral hygiene habits are maintained.
What Dental Concerns Can Porcelain Veneers Treat?
Based on each patient’s unique needs and smile goals, porcelain veneers can be utilized to mask the following aesthetic dental concerns:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Yellowing and other discoloration
- Tooth misalignment
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Uneven or asymmetric tooth shape
Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns
Although porcelain veneers and dental crowns can both be used to enhance the appearance of one’s smile, the two treatments are typically utilized to address different issues. Porcelain veneers are placed on the front surface of the tooth, effectively hiding cosmetic issues underneath with limited impact on the structure or integrity of the tooth itself. Contrarily, dental crowns are designed to cover the entire tooth, helping to restore form and function to teeth that have been affected by decay, severe damage, or root canal therapy. In addition, porcelain dental crowns can be affixed to the tip of dental implants when replacing missing teeth. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Morton can help you decide which treatment would be most appropriate for your specific needs.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers®
Porcelain veneers and Lumineers® are similar in many ways—they are both designed to hide tooth-related aesthetic concerns like chips, stains, gaps, and misalignments, and they each offer durable, long-lasting results with no additional maintenance apart from routine oral care. The key difference between the two treatments is the tooth preparation necessary for placement. With traditional porcelain veneers, a tiny amount of enamel will need to be removed from the tooth before securing the veneer for an optimal fit. In contrast, Lumineers® do not require the removal of any tooth enamel before placement. This is due to their thinner design, which is approximately as thick as a contact lens.
While a lack of tooth preparation is appealing to some patients, a potential drawback of Lumineers® is that they may feel and appear somewhat bulkier than regular porcelain veneers since they are placed overtop of unaltered teeth. On the other hand, traditional veneers are typically able to create an exceptionally natural look and feel due to the customized tooth reshaping completed prior to their placement, which allows the veneer to be bonded without appearing bulky or disproportionately large.
What Is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?
Stained, crooked, misaligned, or chipped teeth can often be easily fixed with porcelain veneers. In a process known as “instant orthodontics,” cosmetic dentist Colin Morton, DDS uses porcelain veneers to change the shape, length, and alignment of teeth to create a beautiful smile. Using strong, thin layers of porcelain, Dr. Morton is able to effectively conceal both major and minor imperfections in your teeth. The process is simple and can be completed in as little as two visits. For those individuals who don’t want to spend years caring for braces, porcelain veneers can often be used to not only change the shape of their teeth, but also to close gaps between teeth and correct misalignment.
Porcelain veneers are typically applied in two stages. First, Dr. Morton will prepare your teeth for the veneers placement. This requires the removal of a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. During the second stage, which occurs after the veneers have been crafted to meet your individual needs, they are applied and adjusted to ensure a natural-looking, beautiful result. The final outcome can be a white, straight, even smile that you are proud to put on display.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
The price of porcelain veneers is based on several different factors unique to every individual. Some of the most common elements that can influence the expense of treatment include how many veneers are placed, whether or not any dental work is required prior to treatment, and the expertise of the cosmetic dentist. As a result, a specific price quote for veneers can only be provided during an in-person consultation. For more detailed information on this topic, please visit our page dedicated to the cost of porcelain veneers.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
When porcelain veneers are properly cared for, they can last for several years. In fact, many patients enjoy the beautiful smile achieved with veneers for multiple decades. As an added benefit, the porcelain material is resistant to stains, so the color of your veneers will not be affected by coffee, tea, red wine, and other foods and beverages known to discolor teeth over time.
How Do I Care for Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very durable, so you can eat and drink as you normally would. You will still need to follow proper dental hygiene habits and receive regular dental checkups and cleanings to keep the veneers strong and looking their best. For most patients, Dr. Morton recommends brushing and flossing daily, as well as visiting our office for a professional cleaning at least twice annually.
Are There Any Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are widely considered to be the premier option for masking aesthetic dental imperfections and enhancing the appearance of the smile. That said, there are certain instances in which an alternative solution may be appropriate. For example, if your only concern is minor to moderate tooth discoloration, professional-grade teeth whitening might be an effective alternative to porcelain veneers. Or, in the event your dental concerns are more significant in nature, a porcelain crown may be a better solution. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Morton can discuss all available treatment options based on your unique needs and goals, helping you choose the best solution for your particular case.
Additional Questions About Porcelain Veneers
Are porcelain veneers permanent or can they be removed?
The porcelain veneers procedure is not reversible because of the thin layer of enamel that is removed to accommodate their placement.
Do porcelain veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers are not susceptible to staining the way natural tooth enamel is, due to the non-porous composition of the porcelain material. As a result, they should remain the desired shade of white over time. In rare instances, however, it is possible for staining to eventually occur around the margins of the veneers where the edges meet the natural teeth. To help reduce—or even eliminate—this possibility, you may wish to limit the consumption of foods and beverages known to stain teeth. The use of tobacco products is also discouraged for the same reason, as well as to promote optimal oral health.
Can porcelain veneers be whitened?
No over-the-counter or professional teeth whitening treatments available today can whiten porcelain veneers. Consequently, if you are not receiving veneers on all visible teeth like you might as part of a complete smile makeover, it is important that you are happy with the current shade of your natural teeth, as the veneers will be matched to this color for uniformity. If you are dissatisfied with the color of any visible teeth not receiving porcelain veneers, Dr. Morton generally recommends teeth whitening prior to treatment. This way, the veneers can be matched to the new shade achieved through whitening. In the event you already have porcelain veneers and desire them to be whiter, new veneers will need to be placed.
Are dental veneers a good alternative to braces?
In some cases of minor misalignment, veneers can be used as an alternative to braces. This process is commonly referred to as “instant orthodontics.” The best way to find out if this option is right for you is to consult with a cosmetic dentist like Dr. Morton.
Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are considered “cosmetic” and are therefore not typically covered by dental insurance. That said, our practice offers dental financing via CareCredit®, which is a respected healthcare lender that provides a variety of monthly payment plan options with little to no interest rates. By choosing a plan that works with your unique budget, porcelain veneers treatment can be an affordable reality even without financial assistance from insurance.
How long do porcelain veneers take?
From initial consultation to final placement, the porcelain veneers process generally takes anywhere from one to three weeks to complete—though this timeframe can be shorter or longer based on the specifics of your case. The exact amount of time will depend on how long it takes to custom-craft the veneer(s) Dr. Morton has designed for your smile.
How strong are porcelain veneers?
In spite of being very thin, porcelain veneers are incredibly durable and highly resistant to damage. That said, it is always a good idea to refrain from crunching on ice, biting your fingernails, using your teeth as a tool (such as when opening packaging), and any other actions that tend to place excessive pressure on your teeth—as these habits can cause undue wear and tear on both your veneers and natural teeth. In addition, Dr. Morton advises being cautious when eating various foods that may contain hard pits, such as certain olive and cherry varieties.
Will porcelain veneers change the way I talk?
When properly placed, porcelain veneers should have very little—if any—impact on your speech. Dr. Morton is highly skilled in designing and placing veneers that not only look natural, but also feel natural and cause no disruption to tongue movements during speech. As a result, you should sound exactly how you did when talking prior to your treatment.
Do porcelain veneers look natural?
Porcelain veneers are often lauded for their ability to provide an incredibly natural-looking smile enhancement. Dr. Morton meticulously customizes each veneer’s color, shade, shape, size, and opacity to optimally suit your individual needs.
How many porcelain veneers will I need?
The precise number of veneers needed to give you the smile you desire will vary on a case-by-case basis. Some patients may wish to improve the appearance of a single tooth, which requires only one veneer. Most patients seeking a more comprehensive enhancement require between four and ten veneers, depending on how many of their teeth are visible when they talk or smile
What foods can you eat with porcelain veneers?
Most foods are perfectly safe to consume with porcelain veneers, which are made of a durable dental porcelain that is highly resistant to staining and chipping. That said, patients may wish to exercise caution when eating particularly hard, chewy, or pitted foods, such as raw apples, bone-in meats, cherries, and hard candies.
How do I choose the right shade for my veneers?
Dr. Morton will work with you to select the optimal shade for your veneers based on your goals. In many cases, this entails matching the shade of the veneers to that of your existing teeth for the most natural-looking result. However, for patients receiving multiple veneers as part of a total smile makeover, the color and shade of your veneers can be significantly whiter than your natural teeth. When choosing your ideal veneer coloration, it is important to take into account other aspects of your appearance, such as your skin tone and the shade of your sclera (the white part of your eye). By keeping these factors in mind, Dr. Morton can help you obtain a whiter, brighter smile that beautifully complements your physical features.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are interested in this dental procedure and would like to learn more, please contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Morton. He will be happy to discuss your goals and help you determine whether or not porcelain veneers would be ideal for your unique needs.
