Dental Veneers
What are dental veneers?
Step-by-Step: Getting Dental Veneers
1. Consultation and Smile Design: First, we’ll discuss your goals for your smile (what you want to change) and evaluate if veneers are appropriate. We may take photos or molds of your teeth. We will also discuss the number of veneers (sometimes just one for a chipped tooth, or multiple for a smile makeover). We select a shade together – many people choose whiter than their current teeth, and sometimes whitening the other teeth first is advised so the veneers can match a brighter shade. If needed, we might do a “wax-up” – a lab-made preview of what the veneers would look like – or place temporary mock-up material to give you an idea of the result.
2. Tooth Preparation: At the veneer prep appointment, we numb the area lightly (often veneers are so minimal that anesthesia might not even be needed, but we usually use it to ensure comfort). We then remove a very thin layer of enamel from the front surface of each tooth receiving a veneer, typically about 0.3-0.7 millimeters – roughly the thickness of the veneer. This is to make room so the veneer isn’t too bulky and to create a good bonding surface. If we’re doing “no-prep” or minimal prep veneers, this step might be minimal. We take great care to only remove what’s necessary. After prepping, we take a precise impression of the teeth. This, along with photos and any specific design notes, goes to the dental lab where the veneers will be crafted.
3. Temporary Veneers (if needed): Depending on how much enamel was removed and the esthetics, we might place temporary resin veneers on your teeth while the lab makes the final ones (which usually takes 1-2 weeks). These temporaries will not be the exact final color/shape but will protect the teeth and give you a preview of sorts. They are fragile, so you’ll need to be careful with them (avoid biting into hard foods, etc.). In some minor prep cases, we may not need temporaries, but generally for multiple front teeth, we do. We’ll give you instructions on temp care (like if one comes off, let us know).
4. Veneer Placement: Once the porcelain veneers are ready, you return for delivery. We remove any temporaries and clean the teeth. Each veneer is tried in on its respective tooth to check fit and appearance. We’ll show you with a mirror before they are permanently bonded to ensure you’re happy with the color and shape. Veneers can be adjusted for slight shape corrections or minor shade tweaks using different cements. When all looks good, we proceed to bond them. The teeth are cleaned and etched (with a mild acid) to create a bonding surface. A special cement is applied to the veneer, and then the veneer is placed on the tooth. We use a curing light to harden the cement, which secures the veneer in place. Any excess cement is cleaned off and we verify your bite, making adjustments as necessary so you have a comfortable bite with the new veneers. Finally, we polish everything.
5. Follow-Up: We may schedule a follow-up a week or two later to check your gums and how you’re adapting to the veneers. Often, patients adapt immediately with no issues. We will also take “after” photos and let you marvel at your new smile! It’s crucial at this follow-up or anytime later to mention if something feels off or if you have any issue, so we can adjust or address it.
Benefits of Veneers
– Improved Aesthetics (Smile Makeover): Veneers can dramatically enhance your smile’s appearance. They can make teeth look straighter (by masking minor rotations or unevenness), more uniform in shape and size, and whiter in color. Stains that are intrinsic (like tetracycline stains or fluorosis) which don’t respond to whitening can be effectively hidden by veneers. The porcelain used has a translucent quality that mimics natural enamel, so a well-made veneer is virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth – just a more beautiful one. Patients often report increased confidence, smiling more often, and feeling better about their overall appearance after getting veneers.
– Veneers vs. Crowns- Conservative Tooth Preservation: Compared to full dental crowns, veneers often require removing less tooth structure. Only the front surface (and a tiny bit off the edges) is altered, keeping the rest of the tooth intact. If a tooth is generally healthy but cosmetically flawed, a veneer is a more conservative option than a crown, which covers the whole tooth. By preserving more of your natural tooth, you maintain tooth strength and health. Also, in many cases, minimal-prep veneers can be done if your teeth are already somewhat set back or small, meaning negligible drilling.
– Durability and Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers are quite durable and resistant to staining. Unlike natural enamel, porcelain doesn’t easily pick up stains from coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking. It remains the color it was made. With good care, veneers can last 10-15 years or longer before needing replacement. They are strong enough to handle normal biting forces on front teeth (though one should avoid using veneered teeth as tools to open things or bite extremely hard objects, which is true for natural teeth as well). In essence, they offer a long-lasting cosmetic solution.
– Quick Transformation: Getting veneers is relatively quick in terms of changing a smile. In a matter of a couple of weeks and two main appointments, you can go from a smile you’re unhappy with to one you’re proud of. This is much faster than orthodontics (braces or aligners might take a year or more) for issues that veneers can address. It’s also immediate compared to gradual whitening that might not achieve desired results or bonding which might not have the same impact. For someone looking for a near-immediate boost in smile esthetics, veneers are one of the best options.
– Custom Crafted Personalization: Each veneer is custom made for you. We work with skilled lab technicians and can tailor the shape and even slight color characteristics to what you find attractive. Want a natural look with slight characterizations (like gentle translucency or texture) – we can do that. Want a Hollywood “perfect” smile – we can do that too. You have control over how bright you want them (some choose extra white, others a more natural white). Essentially, veneers allow a level of design input to achieve the smile you desire, something one doesn’t have as much control over with braces or whitening alone.
Risks of Veneers
– Irreversible Procedure: In most cases, some enamel is removed to place veneers. This means the process is not reversible – once a tooth is prepped for a veneer, you will always need a restoration (veneer or crown) on that tooth. You should be committed to maintenance and eventual replacement of veneers every so often (perhaps every decade or longer, depending on wear). It’s important to be sure about wanting this treatment, as it’s a long-term decision. We have discussed what your teeth would look like without veneers (they’d be slightly thinner or smaller due to the enamel removed). Generally patients don’t want to go back once they see the result, but you should know this aspect.
– Tooth Sensitivity: Removing a layer of enamel can sometimes cause temporary sensitivity to hot or cold in the prepped teeth, especially during the period wearing temporaries. Usually after the final veneers are bonded, the sensitivity is reduced because the porcelain covers the exposed areas. However, a small percentage of people might have some ongoing sensitivity or, in rare cases, need a root canal in a tooth after veneers if the nerve becomes irreversibly irritated. This is not common since prep is shallow, but it can happen, particularly if a tooth was already compromised or heavily filled. We aim to be conservative to avoid this, but it’s a risk to be aware of.
– Fragility and Potential for Damage: Porcelain veneers are thin. Once bonded, they are quite strong, but they can chip or crack if subjected to abnormal forces. Biting hard foods (ice, hard candy) or objects (pens, fingernails) can crack a veneer. A sudden impact (like sports injury or dropping something on your mouth) could break them similar to natural teeth chipping. If a veneer chips slightly, it may be repairable with composite resin, but often a damaged veneer would need to be redone. Also, grinding or clenching your teeth can shorten the lifespan of veneers; if you have that habit, we’ll advise a nightguard to protect them. In summary, treat them well and they’ll last; abuse them, and they could break like a natural tooth would (or sooner).
– Color and Match Limitations: Veneers are chosen to a color, and that color is permanent (porcelain doesn’t whiten with bleaching). So if you bleach your other teeth later, the veneers won’t change – that could cause a mismatch. It’s best to whiten beforehand to a shade you like, and then match veneers to that. Alternatively, if you’re only doing a couple veneers, we match to your current teeth. Keep in mind, natural teeth can continue to darken with age or staining, so over years there might be some difference between veneers and natural teeth if one or the other changes. Also, once made, the color of a veneer can’t really be adjusted (maybe minor tinting, but not lighter). We do a try-in where you can see the color and approve it. It’s rare, but if a patient later feels it’s not the exact shade they hoped, a remake would be needed which has additional cost. We avoid this by careful planning and preview.
– Margin Visibility or Gum Changes: Veneers end at the gumline, and if your gums recede over time (which can happen naturally or from brushing too hard), the edge of the veneer might become visible or the tooth root might show a bit. This can affect the appearance, especially if there’s a contrast between porcelain and tooth or if the root is darker. Good oral hygiene and not scrubbing aggressively at the gum line can minimize recession. If significant gum recession occurs years down the line, options could be gum grafting or replacing the veneer to extend to the new gum line. Also, some people have a transient slight inflammation after veneer placement at the gums; usually it resolves with proper cleaning and maybe a saltwater rinse. We shape and polish the margins smoothly to be kind to gums.
– Need for Future Replacement: Veneers are not “set it and forget it” for life. While long-lasting, they often need replacement in 10-20 years (could be shorter if any issue arises, could be longer if very well maintained and luck is good). Porcelain can develop tiny cracks or chips, or the bond might weaken slightly, or as mentioned, gums could recede. When replacing veneers, the process is generally to remove the old ones (often by drilling them off carefully) and then make new ones – similar steps as the first time. Replacing them is typically straightforward, but it is a commitment to future dental work. Some patients might need maintenance if they chip one veneer – for instance, you might go 12 years and chip one veneer on a fork or something, and then have to replace that one. We try to foresee and design to minimize such events. Nonetheless, just like natural teeth need occasional work (fillings, etc.), veneers might too.
Alternatives to Veneers
– Orthodontics (Braces or Clear Aligners): If your main concern is crooked or gapped teeth, orthodontic treatment can straighten your teeth without altering them. Clear aligners (like Invisalign) or traditional braces are non-invasive to tooth structure, though they take time (months to years) and won’t change color or shape, just position. Sometimes a combination approach is best: ortho for alignment, then whitening or minor bonding for color/shape tweaks. We might have discussed Invisalign if alignment was a big factor. Veneers are often a faster cosmetic fix, but ortho preserves your tooth enamel fully.
– Teeth Whitening and Bonding: If discoloration is the primary issue, a course of professional teeth whitening might achieve a satisfying result without needing veneers. For small chips or shape issues, cosmetic dental bonding (using composite resin applied directly to the tooth) can be an alternative. Bonding is usually done in one visit and is less expensive, but it’s not as strong or color-stable long-term as porcelain. It can work well for minor corrections. However, bonding can stain over time and typically lasts 5-7 years before needing touch-ups. It’s a trade-off of cost and invasiveness vs ultimate durability and esthetics. We typically recommend bonding for small fixes and veneers for more extensive or longer-term smile makeovers.
– Crowns: In cases where teeth are not just cosmetically an issue but also structurally (like large existing fillings or cracks), a full crown might be indicated instead of a veneer. Crowns involve more reduction of tooth structure but encapsulate the whole tooth, adding strength. They can also change color/shape like veneers, but are often used on back teeth or where veneers aren’t feasible. If a tooth has a big filling on the front, a veneer may not bond as securely, so a crown might be better. We consider each tooth’s condition when suggesting veneers vs crowns. If crowns are alternatives, we’d discuss why – usually because of functional reasons. Cosmetically, a crown on a front tooth can look just as good as a veneer if done well, it’s just more invasive to the tooth.
– No Treatment (Accepting Current Smile): Of course, you can always choose to not alter your teeth. This has zero risk and cost, but you keep the smile you have. We always ensure patients know cosmetic work is elective. If the current state of your teeth is healthy, doing nothing won’t harm you – it’s purely about whether you’re happy with how they look. Many people decide to embrace minor imperfections; others really want the change. It’s a personal choice. We’re here to provide options and, if you elect to proceed, provide the outcome you desire. But not doing veneers is certainly an alternative if you feel unsure – maybe try whitening or minor bonding first, etc. We want you to be confident in whatever decision you make.
How to Care for Veneers
– Immediate Aftercare: Once veneers are placed, you can generally use them right away. The bonding cement is fully set with the curing light. However, your gums might be slightly sore or irritated from the procedure and the placement. Rinse with warm salt water (1/2 tsp salt in a cup of water) a couple times a day if your gums feel tender. You might also have some temporary sensitivity to cold or heat; this usually diminishes over a few days to weeks as the teeth settle. If needed, a mild pain reliever can be used, but most people don’t require it. Avoid super-hard foods for the very first day (just to be gentle on the new veneers as you get used to them).
– Oral Hygiene: Maintain excellent oral hygiene. Brush your veneered teeth twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste (most regular toothpastes are fine; whitening toothpastes can be more abrasive, so maybe avoid those or use something like Sensodyne or gel formulas). Floss daily – don’t worry, flossing will not pop off a properly bonded veneer. In fact, keeping the edges clean will protect the bond and your gum health. Sometimes we’ll recommend a fluoride mouth rinse to help protect any exposed parts of tooth and to prevent decay at the edges of veneers. Treat your veneers as you would natural teeth – they need the same care and maybe a bit extra mindfulness to avoid chipping.
– Diet and Habits: Veneers are strong but not indestructible. Avoid biting into very hard substances with your front teeth. For example, don’t crack nuts with your front teeth, and perhaps cut things like hard apples or baguettes rather than tearing with incisors. Carrots or celery – you can still eat them, but maybe slice them to reduce stress on one tooth at a time. Avoid chewing on bones or other extremely tough things. Also, do not use teeth as tools – opening packages, biting thread, etc., is a no-go. If you have habits like nail biting, pens/pencils chewing – really work on stopping those, as they can chip porcelain. Limit or avoid very sticky candies (like taffy) that could possibly tug at a veneer edge, though that’s more a concern for crowns. As for staining foods/drinks: while veneers resist stains, the exposed tooth edges or nearby teeth can stain. It’s fine to enjoy coffee, wine, etc., but good practice is moderate intake and rinsing your mouth with water after highly staining drinks to keep your whole smile uniformly bright.
– Protective Gear: If you grind or clench your teeth, especially at night, please use a night guard. We can fabricate a custom one. Grinding can not only potentially chip veneers but also wear down the opposing teeth. A night guard is cheap insurance for your new smile. Also, if you play sports or engage in activities with risk of facial injury, use a sports mouthguard – saving your teeth/veneers from trauma is crucial.
– Regular Dental Visits: Continue to see us every 6 months (or as advised) for cleanings and exams. We will use special polishing pastes suitable for porcelain to keep them glossy. We’ll also check the integrity of the margins and the health of the gums around the veneers. Let any other dentist/hygienist you see know that you have veneers so they use the appropriate instruments (for instance, avoiding heavy ultrasonic scaling on the edges or scratching the porcelain with heavy-handed tools). We’ll also check your bite to ensure none of the veneers are hitting improperly over time. Early detection of any issue (like a small chip) means easier fix (sometimes we can smooth or repair minor chips with composite without needing to replace the veneer immediately).
– Sensitivity Management: If you experience lingering sensitivity beyond a couple of weeks, let us know. It’s uncommon, but we might recommend a desensitizing toothpaste or even evaluate if a nerve is calm. In almost all cases, sensitivities subside as the teeth get used to the bonded veneers and any slight tooth movement (as might happen if alignment was changed) settles.
– Enjoy Your Smile: Don’t forget to enjoy the benefits of your new veneers. Many patients initially practice smiling and speaking to get used to the feel (veneers usually feel very natural by the second day; your tongue may explore them a lot the first day, that’s normal!). If you notice any rough edges or things you want adjusted, we can usually polish or tweak minor details at follow-ups. Porcelain is glass-like, so they should feel glassy-smooth. If any area feels catchy to your tongue, tell us so we can buff it. We want you completely satisfied not just day one, but for years to come.