At Oak Grove Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’ve helped many patients completely transform their smiles using porcelain veneers in Durham, NC. Veneers are an excellent option for patients who want to fix cosmetic flaws in their smile zone.
Dr. Chavala Harris is your local Durham cosmetic dentist. She has helped many patients achieve smiles that they can feel confident showing off. Veneers are part of the cosmetic dental services we offer at our Durham dental practice.
Porcelain Veneers in Durham, NC
Porcelain veneers could be the perfect cosmetic solution for a complete smile makeover in just a few visits. With thin porcelain shells, veneers attach to your existing teeth to conceal major or minor imperfections. They give patients complete control over the look of their smile. With advice from our experienced cosmetic dentist, patients can get a single veneer, or many depending on their needs and goals.
Typically used for cosmetic purposes only, porcelain veneers can address concerns like:
- Bleach-resistant tooth stains
- Minor chips and cracks
- Misshapen teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
What are the Benefits of Veneers?
Dental veneers have many great benefits that can improve your smile and confidence. Here’s how they can help:
- Natural Look: Veneers are custom-made to match your teeth. We shade-match them so they look natural. The porcelain also reflects light like real teeth, giving you a bright smile.
- Fixes Many Issues: Veneers can cover chipped, cracked, or stained teeth, gaps, and slightly crooked teeth. They’re a great option for improving many parts of your smile and treating several cosmetic issues at once.
- Stain Resistant: Veneers resist stains from coffee, tea, and other foods. Like bonding, they can stay white and shiny longer than other cosmetic options. While we recommend avoiding staining foods and drinks, the veneers are less likely to stain.
- Long-Lasting: With good care, veneers can last many years. They’re durable and protect your teeth, so you can enjoy a strong, beautiful smile for a long time.
- Boosts Confidence: Veneers can boost your confidence in your smile. Many people feel happier and more comfortable after getting veneers because they love how they look. We create veneers that match the tooth shape and shade you want.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
Getting your new smile with porcelain veneers is an exciting process, and we’re here to guide you through every step. It typically takes two or three comfortable visits to our office to complete your transformation.
Step 1: Designing & Preparing Your Teeth
Your journey begins with a consultation where you discuss your dream smile with Dr. Harris. Once we have a plan, we gently prepare your teeth. This involves removing a paper-thin layer of enamel from the front surface. This is crucial because it creates the space needed for your new veneers to look natural and not bulky.
Next, we take a highly detailed impression or a digital scan of your teeth. We send this model to a master dental lab where they will handcraft your custom veneers. Before you leave, we place temporary veneers. These protect your prepared teeth and let you get a sneak peek of your new smile’s look and feel.
Step 2: The Art of Crafting Your Veneers
This is where the magic happens! Skilled technicians at the dental lab use your model and the information we provide to create your permanent veneers. They carefully sculpt them from high-quality porcelain, meticulously matching the shade, shape, and translucent qualities of your natural teeth.
This artistic process ensures your veneers will be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile. No one will be able to tell the difference. This step usually takes about two weeks.
Step 3: Placing Your Permanent Veneers
The most exciting appointment is your final visit. We’ll remove your temporary veneers and gently clean your teeth. Then, we’ll carefully place each permanent veneer with a temporary adhesive so you and Dr. Harris can check the fit, color, and shape. We want you to love your new smile before Dr. Harris permanently attaches them.
Once you give your approval, we clean your teeth again and use a strong dental cement to bond each veneer into place. A special blue light will instantly harden the cement. We’ll make any final adjustments to your bite and then polish your new smile to a brilliant shine. You’ll walk out of our office ready to share your beautiful, confident new smile with the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more with answers to common questions about porcelain veneers in our Durham, NC, dental office.
Which teeth do veneers cover?
Veneers usually cover and fix the front teeth that show when you smile. Most often, they’re placed on the top front teeth. These teeth are the most visible, so veneers help improve your smile by covering chips, stains, gaps, or uneven edges on them.
Do your teeth rot with porcelain veneers?
No. The porcelain veneers attach to the whole buccal surface of the teeth. Therefore, there is no space for plaque or bacteria to accumulate and cause the teeth to rot. However, you still have to practice good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay on your natural teeth.
How often will I need to replace my porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. They use highly durable materials that last for a long time. Our dentist will not need to replace them unless they chip or fracture. They also don’t change in shape or color over time.
Do veneers cover the whole tooth?
No. The dental lab will design your dental veneers as thin shells covering only the teeth’s front side. The veneers won’t touch the back part of your teeth. This non-invasive method allows you to achieve your cosmetic goals without compromising or weakening your teeth.
Do porcelain veneers change colors?
No, porcelain is highly stain-resistant and won’t change color. It is a non-porous material that doesn’t let any pigments penetrate inside its structure. No matter the time passed or exposure to the staining substances, the color won’t change. Unlike real teeth, they don’t possess any microtubules where pigments can penetrate.
Can porcelain veneers fall off?
Yes, it is possible for a porcelain veneer to come off, but it is very rare. We take every precaution during your procedure to ensure a perfect bond. The most common issue is when a very small amount of saliva accidentally gets on the tooth during the bonding process. Even a tiny bit of moisture can weaken the adhesive.
While the porcelain veneer itself is extremely strong, the dental adhesive that holds it in place can break down over many years, much like any other material. Think of it like a strong glue that can eventually wear out after a long time. This is a normal part of wear and tear and is usually an extremely slow process.
The good news is that this is rare and often preventable. Don’t worry if a veneer does come off because it’s usually not an emergency. Simply call us, and we can easily reattach it back onto your tooth at a quick appointment.
How are veneers different from crowns?
Veneers and dental crowns may seem similar, but they serve different purposes. Patients with dental veneers will maintain most of their natural tooth structure beneath the veneer.
Dental crowns need more enamel removal because they replace the entire damaged tooth. Veneers only cover the front-facing portion of your tooth, but crowns replace the entire exterior. This is why we often recommend veneers for cosmetic cases and crowns for restorative cases.
Get Your Dream Smile Today
Ready for your smile transformation? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Chavala Harris at Oak Grove Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Call 919-899-4467 to learn more about what veneers can do for your smile.