Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are a long-lasting fix. We expect our Porcelain Veneers to last at least 10 years or longer, on the average. Some of our newer ones may last a lifetime. It’s worth noting, however, that the lifespan of a Porcelain Veneer depends on a person’s habits. Veneers will last longer in the mouth of a person who wears a protective mouthguard  or Nightguard while they sleep, or who doesn’t clench in their teeth, for example.

The Veneers themselves cannot be stained.

Patients with Veneers still get cavities at the same average rate as other patients.

Will my teeth be more sensitive afterwards?

At the end of the process, no. It is possible that your teeth will be slightly more sensitive for a few days after the temporary veneers are put in.

 You’ll need to visit our office a few times. In an initial consultation, we’ll explain the process in a little more detail and discuss your hopes and expectations for your new smile. Some people want a smile that’s as white as possible, and some prefer a subtler enhancement to their smile. (Here, by the way, is an interesting New York Times article about trends in this area.)

During a different visit, we’ll remove a small layer—0.5 mm, to be precise—of your tooth’s outer layer. We’ll cover the teeth that are being treated with temporary Composite Veneers. Your permanent Porcelain Veneers are custom made in a lab, and that process takes about a week.

After we put your permanent Veneers in, we’ll ask you to come in for a visit again afterwards so that we can check to make sure your bite is still correct. Sometimes, a minor adjustment or two is needed.

In many cases, there are other options. Typically, the first solutions a Cosmetic Dentist will turn to are tooth whitening, along with Invisalign and/or reshaping.

In the cases where such methods have not been or will not be effective, Porcelain Crowns or Porcelain Veneers are generally the next step for a Cosmetic Dentist and patient to explore.