TL;DR
- Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin ceramic shells bonded to teeth that fix discoloration, chips, gaps, and minor misalignment while looking completely natural.
- Getting veneers takes several appointments involving consultation, minimal enamel removal (often 0.5mm), custom fabrication at a lab, and permanent placement with dental cement.
- With proper care, porcelain veneers last 10-15 years or longer, requiring good oral hygiene and avoiding teeth grinding or using teeth as tools.
- Veneers are priced per tooth and cost more than composite alternatives, but their superior durability, stain resistance, and natural appearance often make them more economical long-term.
Porcelain Veneers: Overview
Porcelain veneers have become a very popular option in the pursuit of the ideal smile. These incredibly thin, specially crafted shells can greatly improve the look of your teeth, providing a durability and aesthetic combination that few other cosmetic procedures can match. If you’ve ever admired a flawless smile, chances are porcelain veneers played a role.
This in-depth guide will cover everything about veneers, including what porcelain veneers are, the step-by-step procedure, expected costs, and most importantly, how long porcelain veneers typically last.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made ceramic shells that cover the front surface of your teeth to enhance their appearance. They provide a durable, natural-looking smile with minimal removal of enamel, making them a conservative alternative to crowns while offering a longer-lasting and more stain-resistant result than dental bonding.
Porcelain veneers’ best feature is the ability to provide versatility in treating a wide range of cosmetic dentistry issues, such as:
- Stains that aren’t treatable with professional whitening.
- Small chips or cracks that make your smile uneven.
- Minor gaps between teeth.
- Teeth that are too short, too long, or irregularly shaped.
- Slightly crooked teeth
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer significant cosmetic and functional benefits, such as:
- Instant Results: Veneers create an instant, dramatic change, with a uniformly bright, symmetrical smile.
- Long-Lasting and Stain-Resistant: Made from high-quality porcelain, veneers are extremely strong and long-lasting. Their non-porous surface makes them incredibly resistant to stains from red wine, tea, and coffee, and they keep their original shine for many years.
- Low Maintenance: Aside from regular oral care, veneers need no maintenance whatsoever. They simply become part of your life.
- Natural Appearance: The glass-like surface of porcelain reflects light much like natural enamel, giving your smile a realistic finish.
- Increased Confidence: The most rewarding benefit is that a new smile can boost confidence, positively impacting your social life and career prospects.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Porcelain Veneers
Here’s an overview of the porcelain veneer process, as explained by our RiverRock Dental team:
1. Consultation
First, visit a reliable dentist. The dentist will check your oral health, hear your aesthetic preferences, and decide if porcelain veneers are the best option for you. This is your opportunity to discuss with the dentist your ideal outcome, be it a minor adjustment or a full smile makeover. Your dental surgeon will also take a full medical history to curate a treatment plan.
2. Tooth Preparation
Once the treatment plan is made, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic. This will make the procedure more comfortable for you. To allow for a precise fit and natural feel, a minimal amount of enamel, often half a millimeter, is carefully removed from the front of the teeth being covered with veneers. This process allows for enough space for the veneer so that your new smile does not appear bulky.
3. Impression & Temporary Veneers
Once your teeth are prepared, precise molds or digital impressions are taken of your teeth. A specialized dental laboratory receives the impressions, and skilled technicians personally hand-design your porcelain veneers to specific specifications. During the time your permanent veneers are being fabricated, temporary veneers will be placed to cover your prepared teeth and maintain your appearance.
4. Veneer Placement
Once your veneers are ready, your dentist will temporarily put the veneers on your teeth to ensure the fit, shape, and color are right. Any adjustments that need to be made can be done now. After you and the dentist are both happy, the veneers are cemented onto your teeth permanently with a dental cement and curing light.
5. Follow-Up
Another appointment is scheduled several weeks later to confirm your gums’ response to the veneers and that your bite is perfect. During the first day or two following the procedure, some mild sensitivity to hot or cold foods is frequently experienced; however, this should go away quickly.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
Porcelain veneer cost is an important factor for most patients. Generally, the cost ranges between $500 and $2900 per tooth. It should be noted that the cost could vary depending on several factors, such as:
- Geographic location
- Dentist’s expertise
- Number of teeth treated
- Lab fees
Although porcelain veneers are more expensive than other cosmetic treatments upfront, their greater durability, natural look, and long-term stain resistance often make them a more economical choice over the long term.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
One of the most common questions regarding this treatment is, “How long do porcelain veneers last?” If taken care of with consistent oral care, porcelain veneers last a staggering 10 to 15 years on average, and more in some instances.
At RiverRock Dental, we recommend the following practices to ensure your veneers stay in exceptional shape for years:
- Oral Hygiene: Perfect daily oral hygiene, such as proper brushing and flossing, is of the greatest importance.
- Use a Mouthguard: Grinding (bruxing) or clenching of teeth puts a lot of undue stress on veneers, causing chipping or cracking. A mouthguard is recommended in such cases.
- Dental Care: Routine check-ups and six-month professional cleanings are needed to evaluate the status of your veneers and supporting teeth and gums.
- Use Non-Abrasive Toothpaste: Steer clear of using abrasive toothpastes or extremely abrasive whitening toothpastes, which will eventually erode the surface of your veneers.
- Avoiding Destructive Habits: Using your teeth as tools (breaking packages, biting hard things like ice and pens, or nail-biting) can ruin veneers.
- Limit Staining Food and Beverages: Although porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, the bonding material and surrounding natural teeth can discolor over time.
If your veneer cracks or wears off over time, it can be replaced by your dentist, and you can continue to have your stunning smile.
Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?
Veneers are not, however, ideal for everybody. Veneers aren’t usually a good idea for individuals with:
- Severe Tooth Decay: Decay needs to be addressed first before veneers can be considered.
- Active Gum Disease: The gum condition must be healthy prior to putting on the veneers.
- Severe Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Although a nightguard is beneficial, hard grinders are not always the best because occasionally the veneers might get damaged.
- Insufficient Enamel: Healthy enamel should be present in sufficient amounts for the veneers to be bonded well.
The only way to know whether porcelain veneers would be ideal for your unique circumstance is to make a professional appointment with a skilled dental surgeon. They can assess your oral condition, discuss your objectives, and assist you in making an educated decision.
Takeaway
Porcelain veneers are a long-lasting way to get a confident, beautiful smile. They combine strength, a natural look, and stain resistance to fix many cosmetic dental concerns.
At RiverRock Dental, we focus on creating results that look natural and feel comfortable. Our team will walk you through every single step of the process, explaining your options and designing a treatment plan that fits your goals. With our expertise in cosmetic dentistry, we use veneers to restore balance, improve aesthetics, and help your smile look its best for years to come.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards a brighter smile, schedule a consultation with our experienced dentist in Shakopee today.
Contact us: (952) 445-5556
Location: 403 1st Ave East, Shakopee, MN 55379
FAQs
Do veneers ruin your natural teeth?
No, but preparation does involve removing a thin layer of enamel (usually 0.5mm), which is irreversible. This doesn’t “ruin” the tooth, but means you’ll always need veneers or another restoration on that tooth.
Are porcelain veneers permanent?
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting but not permanent. They last 10-15 years before needing replacement due to normal wear or potential damage.
Can veneers be whitened later?
No. Porcelain veneers don’t respond to whitening treatments. If you want whiter teeth, you’d need to replace the veneers. It’s best to whiten natural teeth before getting veneers.
How long does it take to get veneers?
Usually 2-3 appointments over 1-3 weeks, including consultation, tooth preparation/impressions, and final placement.
