Porcelain veneers are a common dental solution that we utilize to meet our patients’ cosmetic and restorative goals. Through the use of customized porcelain shells placed on top of your existing teeth, Dr. Huckin can either subtly or dramatically alter the appearance of your smile with this popular conservative treatment approach.
While our whitening and tooth bonding solutions are available to offer minor smile improvements, porcelain veneers provide a longer-lasting approach to your cosmetic goals. Many of our patients find the advantages of porcelain veneers are precisely what they are looking for in taking the next step to improve their smiles.
A highly-trained cosmetic dentist in Dallas, Dr. Huckin, can help you achieve your aesthetic goals with personalized and experienced cosmetic dentistry.
The Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
Patients who pursue porcelain veneers in Dallas, TX will get several benefits from this process. Dental veneers act as a covering to your original teeth. We design them to meet your smile’s unique needs. Additional benefits include:
- A natural look and fit- your smile, but better!
- Brighter in color and resistant to future staining
- Light-reflecting property of natural teeth
- Customized size or shape to fill in any unsightly tooth gaps
We take a patient-centered approach to handling porcelain veneers. Our priority is to evaluate your aesthetic goals and ensure that they align with the best interests of your dental health. Luckily, our veneers do not require any special treatment and will last for several years as long as you practice good oral hygiene habits. Additionally, the veneers protect your existing teeth from future damage or decay.
What Porcelain Veneers Can Treat
Porcelain veneers are an ideal solution because they can fix so many cosmetic problems. If you have cosmetic chips or cracks in your teeth, the veneer will make the tooth whole again. Misshapen teeth and gaps between the teeth are common problems people have. Veneers take care of both of these issues. They are all custom-made. For example, your dentist can shape and color them so they can blend in perfectly with the rest of your teeth.
As we get older, our teeth start to discolor, and lifestyle habits can discolor teeth faster. If you take medication, you may also have deep stains on your teeth that a dentist can’t fix with professional teeth whitening. Porcelain veneers are the solution! They can match any shade of white that you desire. Fortunately, your dentist makes porcelain veneers using dental ceramic that does not stain and lasts a long time.
Porcelain Veneers Treatment Process
Your dentist will need to thoroughly examine the current state of your mouth to determine if porcelain veneers will meet your individual needs. Additionally, he will address all underlying issues that could prevent this cosmetic procedure from succeeding.
Expect to make two or three visits to our office to complete the porcelain veneer process. To prepare your teeth for the veneers, your dentist will remove a small layer of tooth enamel. He does this to create room for the veneers and provide a secure bonding surface. Our team will also need to take dental impressions of your teeth and send them to our labs. They will create your customized veneers.
Once we receive those impressions back from the lab, we will call you back into our office to adhere the new veneers to your teeth. Dental veneers permanently bonded to your teeth ensure they stay in place for years to come. To avoid any discomfort during the time it takes to receive the porcelain veneers, we will place temporary ones.
PORCELAIN VENEERS FAQS
How long do veneers take from start to finish?
The entire porcelain veneer procedure typically takes about three weeks, from first consultation to placement. After your initial appointment, our dental laboratory will create temporary veneers. They will serve you until you receive your permanent set of veneers.
How long after veneers can I eat?
We recommend that you ease into eating with your new veneers. You can start by sticking to soft meals for the first few days, such as soups, smoothies, etc. After the first adjustment period of a few days, you’ll be able to eat just as you would with your natural teeth.
How long do teeth feel uncomfortable after veneers?
The majority of patients report that the discomfort from veneers disappears within the first two weeks. However, veneers can develop longer-term issues in very unusual cases. A few red flags to keep an eye out for are: prolonged discomfort that hasn’t subsided after two weeks. If you are experiencing this, call our office, and we will help you find out what is causing your discomfort.
How do gums heal after veneers?
If you have just gotten veneers, you may care for them by using sensitive toothpaste and drinking lukewarm water. Avoid items that are hard to chew, such as nuts, chips, and steaks. After your procedure, we recommend that you immediately return to your regular oral hygiene routine at home.
Can your veneers get an infection?
A tooth with a porcelain veneer on it may become infected. If a tooth that has a porcelain veneer on it develops an infection, the veneer must be removed before endodontic treatment can be carried out. Once the infection clears, we can cement a new veneer or dental crown over the tooth.
We are here to help you achieve a beautiful smile. For our patients looking to improve their smile drastically, our porcelain veneers offer them the opportunity to do just that. Dr. Huckin will inform you of your options and keep your budget goals in mind. Schedule a dental exam with Dr. Huckin today.