Porcelain Veneers FAQ
San Diego, California
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic which are permanently bonded to the front surface of teeth. They cover a multitude of minor defects and in one procedure, give your smile a bright new persona.
When are porcelain veneers used?
They are used on front teeth rather than back ones. The back teeth must do the chewing and therefore need a strong surface all round, so porcelain crowns are a better choice for them.
On front teeth, porcelain veneers are used to change a tooth's color, size, or shape or any combination of those changes. They can cover:
- Discoloration which resists tooth whitening treatments
- A small gap
- Slight unevenness of tooth sizes
- Slight crookedness
- Slight misalignment
Veneers cover these minor defects, making it unnecessary to correct them with other procedures. If the defects are too severe for porcelain veneers however, they may need to be corrected with procedures such as Invisalign.
Is a porcelain veneer the same size as the tooth it covers?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. It depends on what exact defects the veneer is covering. If it is only covering spots and stains, it will be the same size.
If it’s covering a small gap, there’ll be two veneers, each slightly wider than the two teeth they’re covering. Each will extend very slightly over the gap, and they’ll meet evenly in the middle. If a veneer is covering slight crookedness, it will be made slightly thinner on the side of the tooth that juts a little forward and slightly thicker on the side that angles back. The net result is then a straight front for that tooth. If veneers are covering slight unevenness of tooth sizes, one will be slightly longer to extend the shorter tooth, and the other(s) the same length as their teeth. They will all match each other nicely.
What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?
- Speed – they create dramatic dental changes quickly
- Versatility – they can be used to cover a wide assortment of minor defects
- Stain resistance – porcelain does not stain from the pigmented substances like red wine, blackberries or coffee that you like to eat and drink, or even from tobacco use
- Durability – all porcelain restorations will last for many years, especially with good care
- Beauty – dental porcelain closely resembles tooth enamel in the way it absorbs and reflects light, so it has the same pearly sheen of natural teeth
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Anything which can break a natural tooth can break a veneer. This means you should avoid foods or activities which could put your veneered teeth at risk. Give them good daily brushing and flossing to prevent bacteria from spreading below the gumline. Come for regular check-ups to catch problems early and for professional cleaning to remove that hard tartar which can’t be brushed off. Then your veneers should last many years, perhaps 15 or 20 years, or longer.
You can read more on our porcelain veneers page.
Click here to read more porcelain veeners questions.
If you are in the San Diego, California area, please contact us to arrange your free consultation. We could examine your teeth and make suggestions as to the best cosmetic dentistry procedures for improving them and giving you a brighter smile. We hope to work with you soon.
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The Dentist that Makes You Smile!
3830 Valley Center Drive, Suite 702
San Diego, CA 92130
