What Porcelain Veneers Can Do for You
Tom Cruise. Zak Efron. Nicolas Cage. Morgan Freeman. Demi Moore. Kate Beckinsale. The list could go on and on. All have porcelain veneers. All also have gorgeous smiles!
Porcelain veneers are handmade ceramic shells that we permanently secure to the front surface of front teeth. As a general and cosmetic dentist, Dr. Salasito designs a veneer plan, and a ceramist in our trusted dental lab makes each veneer by hand. Every veneer is uniquely colored and shaped so that together, a set of veneers creates a gorgeous smile.
The primary benefit of veneers is that they make a person more attractive. According to a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists, a great smile will also make you seem more intelligent, successful, and friendly. Humans naturally appreciate the symmetry and uniformity of a smile with straight, white, perfectly shaped teeth. We like beautiful things.
If you aren’t proud to show your smile, cosmetic dentistry could change your mind, as well as your confidence. At Healthy Smiles of East Cobb in Marietta, GA, Dr. Salatino and our team can make over your smile with custom-designed, handcrafted porcelain veneers, as well as many other treatments.
A Smile Makeover with Porcelain Veneers
In only two visits, porcelain veneers can deliver a full smile makeover.
Affixed to the teeth that show when you smile, porcelain veneers can alter shape, color, size, and alignment. They correct issues like:
Chips
Crowding
Spacing issues
Stains
Uneven teeth
Short teeth
Veneers also replace the need for all these procedures on front teeth:
Teeth whitening
Crowns for esthetics
Bonding for esthetics
Orthodontics for esthetics
How Veneers Are Placed
To begin the porcelain veneer procedure, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salatino. He’ll take x-rays and thoroughly evaluate your oral health. He’ll also want to learn about your concerns and expectations. Then, you and he can devise a custom cosmetic treatment plan.
We suggest that you undergo teeth whitening before we design your veneers. By selecting the color of your veneers after teeth whitening, you can enjoy your brightest smile. When, over time, your natural tooth enamel on non-veneered teeth discolors, simply re-whiten them to match your veneers.
At the first clinical appointment for your veneers, Dr. Salatino will prepare your teeth by removing some tooth enamel. Next, we’ll take a digital impression by scanning your teeth, so you won’t have to endure the discomfort of a traditional putty impression.
We will also select a shade for your veneers that will look natural and beautiful with your skin tone and facial features. The design plans and impressions will be sent to our lab, and you’ll wear temporary veneers for a few weeks.
At the lab, a ceramist will layer and sculpt high-quality dental ceramic to create your veneers. The porcelain/ceramic used for your veneers won’t stain as quickly as natural tooth enamel.
Additionally, you can expect excellent durability and longevity from your new smile. Veneers can endure for up to 20 years if you practice good oral health.
Once your veneers are ready, you’ll return to our office so that Dr. Salatino can replace your temporaries with beautiful permanent veneers. After the dentist checks your bite and makes adjustments, you will leave the appointment with a full smile makeover, finally prepared to share your smile with the world!
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Veneers present many benefits, including:
Longevity: average lifespan is 20 years
Durability
Stain resistance
One procedure
Instant results
Natural look
Easy maintenance
The Downside of Veneers
Overall, patient satisfaction with porcelain veneers ranges from 80-100%, according to nih.gov. And though veneers can potentially replace the need for multiple treatments like orthodontics, bonding, and whitening, quality porcelain veneers are not inexpensive. If cost is an issue, low- and no-interest financing is available.
Some veneer patients experience tooth sensitivity when eating hot/cold foods and drinks. You can use desensitizing toothpaste, like Sensodyne ProNamel, found at your local drugstore, to reduce sensitivity. Drinking room temperature or lukewarm water may also help. Avoid crunchy and chewy foods if your teeth ache. And remember, post-procedure sensitivity should subside over time.
Perhaps the biggest concern for patients is that porcelain veneers are not reversible. During preparation for your veneers, the dentist will remove some tooth enamel from the teeth being treated. Veneers will replace the enamel barrier over sensitive dentin, protecting the front surface of the teeth. When veneers are removed, the patient will need replacement with either new veneers or dental crowns.
Alternatives to Veneers
If you and Dr. Salatino determine that veneers are not a good solution for your smile improvements, you have other options. Some patients opt to treat specific cosmetic issues by addressing chips and wide spaces with crowns or bonding and correcting dental misalignment by wearing braces or Invisalign.
Others turn to cosmetic bonding and contouring. Bonding involves using composite resin to cover flaws, hide permanent stains, and close gaps between teeth. (It’s the same material we use for white fillings.) However, bonding usually lasts only seven to 10 years, and discoloration between the resin and tooth enamel may occur. As tooth natural enamel stains over time, bonding becomes more obvious. Teeth whitening may help by bringing your enamel back to the shade of your bonding.
Porcelain crowns are an option for smile transformation, but crowns look bulkier and less natural than veneers.
So while veneers are usually the preferred solution for smile enhancement, you should discuss alternatives with Dr. Salasito if you don’t think veneers are right for you. Some patients decide to try bonding first, then replace the bonding with veneers later.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are like natural teeth in that they endure biting pressure, extreme temperature changes, and oral bacteria. They can chip like natural teeth and they do stain, but not as quickly as natural tooth enamel.
At home, brush twice and floss daily. Attend checkups and cleanings every six months or as often as directed by the dentist. If you notice any abnormalities in your mouth, schedule an additional dental appointment.
How do I know when to replace my veneers?
Expect porcelain veneers to last about 20 years. Some patients’ veneers last 10 years, while others last 30 years. Near the end of their lifespan, you may notice staining, chips, wear, or cracks in your veneers. A gap or space may develop near the gumline.
If a veneered tooth becomes painful, decay may have developed beneath the veneer. These are all indications that it’s time to replace your veneers.
Want to talk to a cosmetic dentist about veneers?
To talk with Dr. Salasito about your smile makeover or other smile enhancements, call Healthy Smiles of East Cobb today at 770-973-9765. Our office is located off Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta, GA. At your consultation, the dentist will take time to discuss your priorities and concerns, and he’ll answer all of your questions. Give us a call today! Your beautiful smile awaits.