There is no treatment that has the power to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a smile quite like porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. It fixes common issues like cracks, chips, stains, and flaws in shape or size. Our in-house CEREC® grinding and milling system allows for the creation of exquisite veneers while you wait.
Are you a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers?
While porcelain veneers will help to reinforce the teeth to which they are bonded, they should be considered a primarily cosmetic treatment. Therefore, they should not be placed on teeth that have sustained more than simply cosmetic damage. For example, if a tooth has been fractured to the point that it requires root canal therapy, a porcelain veneer is not a good treatment option; however, if the fracture affects only the protective enamel layer of a tooth (i.e., a craze line), a porcelain veneer may be an ideal solution.
In general, suitable candidates for porcelain veneers should have good oral health. Patients with good oral health are usually excellent candidates for porcelain veneers as long as they understand that:
- They must maintain good oral hygiene habits after the placement of their veneers, brushing and flossing at least twice a day and after every meal and visiting our practice for regular exams and professional cleanings.
- Porcelain veneers are not reversible as a small amount of enamel must be removed from the teeth prior to their placement.
- Veneers will not respond to teeth whitening treatments. Therefore, patients may wish to undergo teeth whitening before having their veneers placed, and then have their veneers color-matched to their newly whitened teeth.
What is a smile makeover with porcelain veneers?
While porcelain veneers can be used as a treatment by themselves, they are frequently used as part of a more comprehensive smile makeover plan. Indeed, they often form the foundation of a smile makeover, with the front, most visible teeth being fitted with veneers while surrounding teeth are treated with dental crowns, teeth whitening, and other cosmetic options. Porcelain veneers are also often used as the finishing touch after a patient has undergone Invisalign® treatment to address orthodontic issues.
Because porcelain veneers are highly stain resistant and do not respond to teeth whitening treatments, many patients elect to undergo teeth whitening before having their veneers placed. They then have their veneers colored to match their newly whitened teeth.
The Parshin Dental team can discuss your smile makeover options with you during your confidential, one-on-one consultation if you are interested in rejuvenating your entire mouth.
What are porcelain veneers and what makes them so extraordinary?
Porcelain veneers are dental restorations that are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to conceal cosmetic flaws, including chips, cracks, and discoloration. They can also be used to make narrow teeth wider, thereby closing gaps between teeth. For patients with minor crookedness or upper and lower teeth that do not meet when the mouth is closed, porcelain veneers can be used as a sort of “instant orthodontics,” improving alignment and occlusion while also creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
One of the reasons that veneers are so remarkably natural looking is that porcelain shares light-reflecting properties with tooth enamel. Like enamel, porcelain is translucent, meaning that it allows some light to pass through its surface rather than simply reflecting all light. The sophisticated CAD/CAM software that is used as part of the CEREC® system further allows the Parshin Dental team to craft porcelain veneers so that they appear natural in every aspect, right down to their color and texture.