You have many options when making changes to your smile. Dental veneers are a common way to transform your teeth without lengthy treatment. Veneers can benefit you whether you have crooked teeth, discolored teeth, or other cosmetic dental concerns. Porcelain veneers in our Philadelphia, PA office can effectively achieve a whiter, more beautiful smile.
Our dental care team uses dental veneers for subtle changes and dramatic transformations. Depending on your specific needs and goals, Dr. Derek Conover may recommend porcelain or composite resin veneers. These treatments can cover the front of your teeth and give you a whole new smile.
What Can Veneers Treat?
Our dental care team will meet with you to evaluate your smile and discuss your cosmetic goals. We can create a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs. Your dentist will recommend the most suitable treatment to ensure the best possible result.
Your dentist can use dental veneers to:
- Close spaces between teeth
- Treat black triangles
- Improve the appearance of crooked teeth
- Repair chipped or broken teeth
- Cover stained or discolored teeth
We often recommend veneers as an alternative to teeth whitening or braces treatment. While we recommend braces for patients with severely crooked teeth, veneers can cover slightly crooked teeth and deep tooth stains.
Veneers offer a smooth, seamless look.
Which Type of Dental Veneers Are Right For You?
Several types of dental veneers are available. Our office will recommend the best option for your circumstances. We will consider your specific cosmetic goals and budget before veneer treatment.
Composite Resin Veneers
This type of dental veneer consists of tooth-colored biocompatible composite resin material, similar to a dental filling. This material is the same material dentists use for tooth bonding. Composite resin veneers usually require little to no preparation of the teeth. This means patients can preserve more of their natural tooth enamel. However, they are not as long-lasting as porcelain veneers.
Composite veneers can be an excellent temporary cosmetic solution. When a dentist places composite veneers, he or she applies the composite resin directly to the tooth. Then, they sculpt the material into a natural shape for virtually undetectable restoration.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of tooth-like material. These veneers are highly stain-resistant and have similar light-reflecting properties to natural teeth. Porcelain veneers offer a longer-lasting cosmetic restoration of anterior teeth. They require tooth preparation so they do not look or feel bulky.
Conventional veneers have several material options. They require more tooth preparation but are much more conservative than full crown restorations. These restorations are best for cases with more significant cosmetic changes than an ultra-thin veneer allows.
Porcelain veneers are permanent. When you receive veneers, you must be committed to covering your teeth for many years. While dentists can remove veneers, preparation permanently changes the natural teeth underneath the veneers. If you want long-lasting results, you can benefit from porcelain veneers.
Treatment with Porcelain Veneers in Philadelphia, PA
Porcelain veneers require a few visits. Before treatment, our dentist will perform an evaluation to determine which type of veneers are right for you. We will consider tooth discoloration, chips, cracks, and other cosmetic problems. We will also provide an estimation of treatment time and cost.
Our dentist will remove some of the tooth enamel to begin veneer treatment. This preparation ensures the veneers fit tightly onto the natural teeth. Once our dentist prepares your teeth for your veneers, he or she will take a dental impression. A dental ceramist will handcraft your final restorations in one of our selected dental laboratories.
We make temporary veneers for conventional veneers. Temporary veneers serve two purposes: they allow you to preview or try on the veneers and cover your teeth during treatment. These veneers ensure you still have an attractive smile while the lab creates your final veneers.
Your veneers will be ready in approximately 3 to 4 weeks. We will evaluate them for fit, shape, and color before we bond them to your teeth with special resin cement. Finally, we polish your veneers for a natural high shine.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Do you want to know more about veneer treatment? Read answers to these commonly asked questions:
How much do porcelain veneers cost?
Dental veneers can vary in price depending on these factors:
- Materials
- Number of veneers
- Complexity of your smile design
Generally, composite resin veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers. However, porcelain often lasts longer than composite. Before treatment, we will complete a full review of the procedure, including the cost of veneers.
We will provide an estimate of the cost of your veneers before treatment. Our office also offers convenient payment options, including interest financing through Care Credit for qualified patients.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 or more years. You can ensure your veneers last in multiple ways.
First, ensure you have a good at-home oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss your veneers and natural teeth twice a day. Remember to floss before brushing, and floss by following the curve of your tooth. Then, brush the gums, teeth, and tongue for two minutes in circular motions.
Regular visits to the dentist will also ensure your veneers stay bright. We thoroughly remove food debris and harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums during cleanings. We will also provide a thorough examination to ensure there aren’t any infections that can impact your veneers.
Is the porcelain veneer procedure painful?
We ensure that each patient undergoing treatment with porcelain veneers is comfortable and relaxed. Most patients watch movies or relaxation videos while we complete their treatment. Our goal in our office is to make your visits painless and comfortable.
We will numb your mouth before we prepare your teeth so you will not feel pain when you get your veneers. You can experience some mild discomfort or sensitivity immediately following any dental procedure. However, these symptoms can fade within 1 to 3 days of treatment.
Do porcelain veneers break easily?
Porcelain veneers are extremely durable. However, they are more brittle than natural tooth enamel. Just like natural teeth, your veneers can chip or crack.
Do not bite down on hard items like your fingernails, plastic packaging, or beer caps. If you begin to clench or grind your teeth at night, contact us as soon as possible. Teeth grinding can damage your veneers.
What can you not do with porcelain veneers?
When you get veneers, avoid chewing particularly hard foods such as meats, raw fruits and vegetables, ice, and candy. In addition, avoid directly biting down on hard objects or foods. You can damage or break your veneers.
Additionally, avoid eating foods and drinks that may stain veneers, such as soda, ketchup, and coffee. While veneers are stain-resistant, they can discolor over many years.
Do veneers make your breath smell?
Veneers should not make your breath smell bad. You likely have an oral hygiene issue if your breath smells after you get veneers. This has nothing to do with your new veneers.
You can also have bad breath if you do not properly care for your veneers. When you get veneers, you need to brush and floss daily. Food debris and bacteria can build up between your natural tooth and veneer. When they mix with your saliva, they create a bad smell.
For this reason, you may experience a bad smell when you floss your veneers. Improving your routine and visiting us for dental cleanings can lessen this smell.
Transform Your Smile
Do you want a straighter and brighter smile without teeth whitening or braces? Call Opus Dental Esthetics in Philadelphia, PA, today at (215) 395-6076 for porcelain veneers. You can also schedule an appointment with us online.
Please let us know if you have questions about dental veneer treatment. We’re here to help.