At Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have helped many patients completely transform their smile aesthetics using porcelain veneers in Durham, NC. Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for patients looking to achieve major cosmetic alterations to their smiles through a minimally invasive procedure.
Dr. Chavala Harris is your local cosmetic dentist. She has helped many patients achieve smiles that they can feel confident in showing off with porcelain veneers. Learn more about the use and benefits of porcelain veneers below.
Porcelain Veneers in Durham, NC
If you are looking to achieve a complete smile makeover, porcelain veneers could be the perfect cosmetic dentistry solution for you. Utilizing thin porcelain shells, porcelain veneers are attached to your existing dental structures to conceal major or minor imperfections. Porcelain veneers give patients complete control over their smile aesthetics.
With the advice from our experienced cosmetic dentist, patients can choose to get one veneer or a mouth full of veneers depending on their needs and goals.
What To Expect with Porcelain Veneers Treatment
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, making the application procedure minimally invasive. A small layer of enamel is removed to make space for the veneer. Then, the veneer is placed using dental cement. Typically used for only cosmetic purposes, porcelain veneers can address concerns like
- Bleach-resistant dental stains
- Minor chips and cracks
- Misshapen teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
Veneers are great for helping patients achieve a more uniform smile. Additionally, they will last for many years with proper oral hygiene as well as regular preventative visits to your dentist. If a veneer is ever dislodged, your dentist can design a new one to replace it just as easily as it was applied the first time.
How are Porcelain Veneers different from Dental Crowns?
Porcelain veneers and dental crowns may seem similar, but they serve different purposes within your smile. Patients with porcelain veneers will maintain most of their natural tooth structure beneath the veneer.
Dental crowns, on the other hand, require more enamel removal because they are used to functionally replace an extensively damaged tooth while only maintaining a foundational core as well as the tooth roots.
While porcelain veneers are used to conceal only the front-facing portion of your tooth, dental crowns replace the entire exterior of a tooth. This is why we often recommend porcelain veneers for cosmetic cases and dental crowns for restorative cases.
How long does it take to get porcelain veneers?
It can take up to two weeks to get porcelain veneers. However, it depends on the dental office. Some dental offices also have dental labs inside the premises. This allows them to perform the procedure faster, making it possible to get porcelain veneers in just one appointment. It will take at least two appointments to get them if the dental office works with an external lab.
Do your teeth rot with porcelain veneers?
No. The porcelain veneers attach to the whole buccal side surface of the teeth. Therefore, there is no space for plaque or bacteria to accumulate and cause the teeth to rot. However, you still must practice good oral hygiene to prevent decay on your natural teeth.
How often will I need to replace my porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers can last anywhere from approximately 10 to 15 years. They are made with highly durable materials that last for a long period. Moreover, your dentist will not need to replace them unless they chip or fracture. They also do not change in shape or color over time.
Do porcelain veneers cover the whole tooth?
No. The dental lab will design your dental veneers to be thin shells that cover only the buccal side of the teeth. The dental veneers will not touch the lingual or back part of the teeth. As a result, it is a non-invasive method to achieve the aesthetic goals of the patient without compromising the dental tissues or weakening the teeth.
Do porcelain veneers change colors?
No. Due to the composition of porcelain, it 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. Unlike natural teeth, they don’t possess any microtubes where pigments can reside.
Can porcelain veneers fall off?
Yes. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that bond to the teeth with a special bonding agent. Although the dentist will make sure that there are no issues during the procedure, on some occasions, saliva can contaminate the working area. This can affect the durability of the bonding. On the other hand, unlike the veneer itself, the bonding agent is a porous material and weakens over time.
Schedule An Appointment
Ready for your smile transformation? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Chavala Harris at Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to learn more about what your smile could look like with the help of a few strategically placed porcelain veneers.