Porcelain Veneers

What are teeth veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Placing custom teeth veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.

For more information/questions on porcelain veneers, please read our porcelain veneers FAQ page.

Will dental veneers look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.

Dr. Kouri will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.

Dental health and veneers

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.

What types of problems do dental veneers fix?

Veneers are routinely used to fix:

• Teeth that are discolored, either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth.
• Teeth that are worn down,
• Teeth that are chipped or broken,
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them),
• Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth).

What is the procedure for getting a dental veneer?

Getting a dental veneer usually requires at least three trips to the dentist one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below.

• Diagnosis and treatment planning. This first step involves active participation between you and your dentist. Explain to your dentist the result that you are trying to achieve. During this appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. He or she also may take =X-rays and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
• Preparation. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter or more of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Before trimming off the enamel, you and your dentist will decide the need for a local anesthetic to numb the area. Next, your dentist will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks for your dentist to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. Meanwhile, temporary dental veneers will be placed to evaluate esthetic and function.
• Bonding: Before the dental veneers are permanently cemented to your teeth, your dentist will temporarily place the veneers on your teeth to examine their fit and shade.  Once the veneers are approved by the patient the preparation for cementation commence to your teeth to receive the veneers, your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched — which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneers and the veneers are then placed on your teeth. Once the veneers are properly positioned on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating, and adjusting your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneers as necessary. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check your bite, the evaluate how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer’s placement.

What are the advantages of dental veneers?

Dental veneers offer the following advantages:

• They provide a natural tooth appearance.
• Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
• Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant.
• The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
• Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color and shape — veneers generally don’t require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative.

How long do dental veneers last?

Veneers generally last between 5 and 10 years. After this time, the veneers would need to be replaced.

• the most common issues with veneers are the veneers coming off usually due to the abuse by the patient, and gingival recession ( gums recession) which can happen for any of multiple reasons including but not limited to lack of proper hygiene, gum disease, trauma, aging, and the use of inappropriate tooth paste and tooth brush.

Do dental veneers require special care?

Dental veneers do not require any special care. Continue to follow good oral hygiene practices including brushing and flossing as you normally would.

Even though porcelain veneers resist stains, your dentist may recommend that you avoid stain-causing foods and beverages (for example, coffee, tea, or red wine).

Are there alternatives to dental veneers?

Yes, alternatives to veneers can be bondings and crowns. not every patient can be a good candidate for veneers. Comprehensive evaluation is always needed to determine your best option. then the risk and benefit can be discussed in details prior to any treatment.