Do you want brighter teeth without teeth whitening treatment? Are you looking for a straighter smile without braces? Veneers can address the surface of stained, damaged, or crooked teeth. Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or resin we cement over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Our office provides porcelain veneers in Dallas, TX, to treat uneven, chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked teeth.
Little or no anesthesia is needed for veneer treatment. Dental veneers are cosmetic dental treatments with longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding. They are also highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or cigarette smoking.
What Do Veneers Treat?
Veneers are restorations that offer long-lasting coverings for a variety of cosmetic concerns. Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as:
- Worn teeth
- Short teeth
- Black triangles
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Stained teeth (even tetracycline stains)
- Discolored fillings in front teeth
- Gaps between the front teeth
- Chipped teeth
Veneers can change the size, shape, and shade of natural teeth. For many patients, covering minor cosmetic problems with veneers can completely transform their smile.
Benefits of Veneers
Veneers provide these benefits for discolored and damaged teeth:
- Versatile: Veneers cover many cosmetic problems, from tooth gaps and stains to chips and cracks. You can also cover one or all teeth in the smile zone or the teeth that show when you smile. A full set of veneers typically uses eight veneers.
- Superior Materials: While veneers can use resin materials, we offer porcelain because it looks natural and feels strong. Porcelain is also non-porous and less likely to stain than other options like tooth bonding.
- Minimal Maintenance: You can brush and floss veneers like your natural teeth. Because porcelain veneers offer durability, you do not need to replace them as often as bonding.
Veneers offer a natural look, easy care, and treatment for many cosmetic concerns. Porcelain veneers also last longer than other treatments. With the right care, veneers can last 15 to 20 years. Ask us about veneers if you want treatment for deep tooth stains or slightly crooked teeth.
Treatment with Porcelain Veneers in Dallas, TX
Typically, veneer treatment takes at least three steps: treatment planning, preparation, and bonding. Learn more about each step of porcelain veneer treatment:
Planning
First, you will visit our office for a consultation. You will discuss your smile concerns, and we will examine your smile to determine if veneers are the right treatment for you. We will take images of your teeth and color-match your veneers to the teeth in your smile zone.
Veneers are known as a permanent treatment because these restorations cover prepared teeth. You must be committed to wearing veneers or another treatment over your natural teeth after treatment. If you have any dental problems, including infections, we will recommend treatment before you receive veneers.
Tooth Preparation
During the tooth preparation visit, which usually lasts one to two hours, we lightly buff the teeth to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. We remove about half a millimeter of the tooth, which may require a local anesthetic. Removing a small amount of enamel from your teeth is necessary to accommodate the shell. Tooth preparation ensures a good bonding surface for the veneer.
During the same visit, we take a dental impression and send it to a dental laboratory, which creates the veneers. A dental lab technician can create veneers by working from this impression and a model provided by our dentist.
In the meantime, we provide temporary veneers to protect your teeth and help you get used to wearing veneers.
Bonding
During the final “bonding” visit, about one or two hours, we place the veneers on the tooth surface with water or glycerin. We check their fit to get a sense of the fit and color. While the veneers rest on your teeth, we can adjust them with various shades of cement to match the color of your teeth.
Then, we clean the tooth to apply the veneer with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. We sandwich the special cement between the veneer and the tooth. Finally, we use a visible light beam, or laser, to release a catalyst that hardens the adhesive.
How to Care for Veneers
During the two weeks of adjustment that follow, you may notice a change in your tooth size and shape. Brushing and flossing daily are essential. First, you can floss between each tooth. Bacteria can still build between natural teeth and veneers. Then, brush with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste.
After one or two weeks, you’ll return for a follow-up appointment. At this visit, we will confirm proper healing and fit. We will double-check your bite at a later visit, typically after six months.
Porcelain veneers are similar to natural teeth but not perfect replacements. It’s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth.
Additionally, veneers are strong and do not break easily. However, veneers are still prone to damage like natural teeth. As you get used to your new veneers, we recommend that you avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. Avoid bad habits like chewing on ice or biting your nails. These habits put pressure on your veneers and natural teeth.
Call Us Today
Are you interested in dental veneers? Get custom-made porcelain veneers in our Dallas, TX office for a straighter, brighter smile. Contact us today at 214-253-4868 or schedule an appointment on our website.
Do you have questions about veneers? Let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help.