What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a simple and sure way to revive your smile and strengthen your teeth. They are a type of dental veneer that is wafer-thin. A dental veneer is a laminate that a dentist places over the front and sides of your teeth. They are custom-made to match the look of your surrounding teeth and fit perfectly in place. Veneers mostly correct damaged teeth and cosmetic issues, such as:
- Stained teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Cosmetic flaws
- Broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misaligned/uneven teeth
Porcelain veneers are a handy solution for many cosmetic and restorative dental needs. Our team at Henrich Dental can work with you to determine if ultra thin porcelain veneers can give you the beautiful smile you are looking for. We use the highest quality materials to make our dental veneers. We ensure that they will look natural and function well for years to come. Learn more about how porcelain veneers can help your oral health below.
Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent way to transform your smile, whether it be a minor change or a complete smile makeover. We use only the highest quality of materials to craft veneers that will meet your unique needs. Dr. Henrich will discuss your cosmetic goals and develop a smile makeover plan that is right for you.
There are several benefits you get when you choose porcelain veneers. If veneers are right for your needs, you can look forward to these key benefits:
- Natural looking smile
- Veneers are completely customizable
- They can improve your self-confidence
- Achieve a whiter, brighter smile
- Porcelain veneers are resistant to certain types of stains
Visit our dental office for a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Henrich. He will gladly discuss if porcelain veneers are right for your smile, and also discuss other cosmetic dental services that can be beneficial for you.
The Porcelain Veneers Procedure
The porcelain veneer procedure is simple. In most cases, receiving porcelain veneers will require at least two visits to our cosmetic dentistry in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During your first appointment, we will remove a thin layer of natural tooth enamel from the surface of your tooth. This will allow us to use a ceramic bond to attach the porcelain veneer to the surface, without changing the feel of your teeth. Dr. Henrich will take measurements and use them to create your one-of-a-kind veneer. The creation process can take about two weeks.
After we have the final product ready, we will call you back for a second appointment. During this appointment, Dr. Henrich will adhere your veneers to your teeth using a small amount of dental cement. This is a painless process that does not require local anesthesia.
In some cases, the results can last up to 20 years. This is a very effective choice to correct many different cosmetic or functional flaws. Caring for your porcelain veneers are just like caring for your natural teeth. It is important to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine and schedule biannual visits to the dentist.
Are Porcelain Veneers Right For Me?
There are several dental procedures that can correct many of these issues. But porcelain veneers are often the right choice because they can help strengthen your teeth and balance your smile while covering up many distinct flaws. Porcelain is a non-porous substance, so it is stain resistant and reflects light just like your real teeth.
We can set up a one-on-one consultation to get to know your case and decide if this is the right treatment for you. Visit our Tulsa dentist office to see if porcelain veneers are right for you.
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Can dentists whiten veneers?
Dentists do not use professional teeth whitening solutions on veneers. The typical treatment does not work on porcelain, therefore it will not have an effect on the whiteness of your veneers. Dentists can whiten them and adjust their color to match your teeth before applying them. But once they have been put in, a dentist can not change their color.
Will dental veneers raise my risk of developing cavities or tooth decay?
Dental veneers do not cause, or increase your risk of developing cavities or tooth decay. When a dentist installs the veneers, they will protect and replace any unexposed or unprotected parts of the tooth or enamel.
Do porcelain veneers have any impact on my diet?
With porcelain veneers you can eat any food that you choose, however your diet does have a direct impact on the life of your new teeth. The first few days after your procedure, you should be careful not to eat particularly hard or sticky foods to ensure that your veneers are holding well.
Are porcelain veneers permanent?
Yes and no. Veneers permanently adhere to the front of your natural teeth. However, they aren’t necessarily permanent in nature. You will eventually need to replace them with new veneers, but they can last for decades as long as you properly maintain them. Some patients may never need to replace them at all.
Rarely will veneers fall off on their own. A porcelain veneer is unrepairable, however. So if it incurs damage, your dentist will need to completely replace the veneer.
Do porcelain veneers ruin your teeth?
Veneers do not hurt or ruin your real teeth. The material that a dentist uses to bond them to your teeth is not harmful to your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers do not consist of enamel like real teeth. Meaning that they will not stain as your natural teeth would. They are also tough, making them more resistant to damage than your natural teeth. All that goes to say that, no, veneers do not ruin your real teeth! They actually have an advantage over natural teeth in terms of resistance to damage or staining.
What are the disadvantages of porcelain veneers?
Like all things, veneers are not perfect. Some disadvantages to getting porcelain veneers include:
- Dental veneers tend to be expensive.
- No room for error. Chipped or damaged veneers cannot be repaired.
- Once they’re on, you cannot remove them unless it’s to replace them or in a dental emergency.
- Your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold during the first few weeks.
- Veneers are not good for people who grind or clench their teeth.
- Despite having veneers protecting your teeth, you can still get tooth decay.
At Henrich Dental, we focus on serving cosmetic dental services and restorative procedures that provide the results that you want. Dr. Henrich has the expertise and knowhow to provide quick and effective porcelain veneers. Request an appointment online, or give us a call to schedule your next dental exam.