Porcelain Veneers - Cosmetic Dentistry

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that fits over a damaged, discolored, or misshaped tooth. This procedure has several advantages over other tooth restoration procedures. Porcelain is an extremely durable material with a color, translucence, and texture that is similar to tooth enamel. It is not susceptible to decay and resists staining while maintaining a natural appearance. Porcelain veneers can effectively close diastemas (gaps between teeth), lengthen and reshape teeth, repair chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth, and cover stains and discolorations.

If you're considering porcelain veneers, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure will help you, we recommend that you consult a cosmetic dentist with experience in applying porcelain veneers.

During the consultation, you and your dentist will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required if any, and porcelain veneers cost.

Your dentist will begin with a complete medical history and an examination of your teeth and gums. He/she may also take photos and give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

Take this opportunity to ask all the questions you have about the procedure. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your dentist below.

At your first appointment following the initial consultation, your teeth will be roughened and shaped to remove part of the outer tooth enamel. This provides a better surface for bonding and allows room for the placement of the thin porcelain shell. After shaping, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create porcelain veneers that fit your mouth precisely. He/she may suggest applying temporary veneers to protect your teeth until your customized veneers are completed.

At your next appointment, your dentist will test your veneers to make sure that they fit properly and that they are the correct size and color. At this time, you and your dentist will work together to make sure that you are satisfied with the result. If needed, more shaping or trimming of the veneers can be done before the final fitting.

Before your porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth with a composite resin cement, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, since clean teeth and healthy gums are necessary in order for bonding to be successful.

Porcelain veneers usually require at least two appointments to be completed. The length of time of each appointment will depend on the condition of your teeth and on how many veneers you are having done. The procedure is done in your dentist's office with a local anesthetic and is relatively pain-free.

After your teeth have been prepared and before your permanent veneers have been applied, your appearance should be fairly normal. Some sensitivity may be encountered mainly with cold drinks. Using a straw can alleviate this problem.

During this period, you should brush regularly, as your teeth will be more susceptible to staining. Regular flossing is important, too, since swollen or bleeding gums compromise bonding the porcelain veneers on permanently.

Once your veneers are permanently placed, they will feel like a natural part of your teeth, and you can use them just as you would your regular teeth. However, veneers are not indestructible. To protect your veneers from chipping, avoid biting down into hard substances. Slice apples before eating them. Avoid bad habits like chewing on fingernails, pencils, or paperclips, and clenching or grinding your teeth.

In general, the best candidates for porcelain veneers:

• Enjoy good oral health
• Want to improve their appearance
• Are well informed in regard to the procedure's outcome
• Have realistic expectations

The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your dentist will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your dentist if he/she considers you an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers.

Depending on the structural integrity of your teeth, the health of your gums, and your occlusion (bite), crowns or orthodontics may be recommended instead of, or in addition to, veneers in order to achieve the desired results.

If your natural teeth are discolored, you may want to consider whitening your teeth before veneers are applied, since extremely dark stains could show through the thin porcelain shell. Whitening after will not change the color of the porcelain veneers.

Since the oral cavity contains many kinds of bacteria and experiences many temperature and/or pressure changes throughout a typical day, all dental restorations contain some degree of risk. It is important to follow good oral hygiene and keep the margin (the area where the tooth and the veneer meet) as clean as possible so that decay doesn't develop underneath the porcelain veneers. Restorations with margins above the gum line are easier to maintain than those with margins below the gum line.

In order to minimize these risks, it is important that you follow all of your dentist's instructions, both before and after the procedure.

Cost of porcelain veneers will vary depending on the area you live in and the difficulty of your case. Talk to your doctor at the consultation appointment to get an estimate of the costs. There is a very wide range in cost for veneers because of the many variables involved with each patient. You can expect approximate costs to fall in a range from $900 up to $2,500. This does not reflect what your actual cost may be.

It is very important that you select a dentist adequately trained and experienced in this procedure. See our Locate a Specialist feature to find a doctor in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Cosmetic Dentist for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right dentist.

1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
2. Is there an alternative treatment that I should consider as well?
3. How long will the procedure take and how many appointments are necessary?
4. What kind of anesthesia is used, if any?
5. How much does it cost?
6. What is your experience in applying porcelain veneers? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many has he/she has performed in the past year?)
7. What percentages of patients have had significant complications? (The dentist should disclose this information to you.)
8. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated/corrected, will I be charged again? (The dentist should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
9. What kind of longevity can I expect?
10. May I see "before and after" photos of recent porcelain veneers patients? The dentist should provide many photos of recent patients.
11. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have it done? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
12. What should I expect after the procedure in terms of what to watch for, any limitations, and pain after porcelain veneers?
13. Do you offer patient financing?

• Tell your dentist about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
• Tell your dentist about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
• Carefully follow any instructions your dentist gives you.

The information on this Web site is only intended as an introduction to porcelain veneers and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified clinicians who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.

Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, porcelain veneers prices no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our online application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.

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