Dental Veneers

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Dental Veneers

If you have minor cosmetic problems with your teeth, you should consider getting dental veneers to improve your teeth and smile. Veneers are a thin shell of material, made from composite resin or porcelain, that can correct minor aesthetic issues like:

  • Small chips

  • Minor cracks

  • Stains and discoloration

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the teeth permanently. Porcelain has become the gold standard for veneers due to its superior strength and stain resistance.

Getting porcelain veneers normally requires two dental appointments. During your first visit, your dentist will be removing a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the thickness of the porcelain veneer. They will create impressions of your teeth for delivery to a dental laboratory. A week or so later, your veneers will be ready for placement at a subsequent appointment. In the meantime, you will receive temporary veneers.

Composite Veneers

This type of veneer is made from a mixture of both organic and inorganic materials, including resin, fillers and a bonding agent. The bond is the same as used for dental fillings.

Most composite veneers are applied directly to the teeth during a single dental visit. Your dentist would place a malleable material onto the surfaces of treated teeth, in a series of layers. Once enough material is in place, they will “cure” it, allowing it to harden. Finally, they will carefully polish your new veneers to a smooth finish.

Porcelain vs. Composite

Although most patients prefer porcelain veneers, there are some important differences between the two types to consider. Although porcelain is stronger and more closely matches the color and translucence of natural teeth, this is a permanent treatment that requires some removal of tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are also more expensive than composite.

The main advantage of composite veneers is the fact that they are easily applied in only one dental appointment, in most cases. Composite is also less expensive than porcelain. The drawback of composite is that it is more easily damaged and tends to become stained over time, unlike the highly stain resistant porcelain.

One reason why porcelain veneers are now the industry standard is that they offer superior strength and stain resistant qualities. Cared for properly, your new porcelain veneers can be expected to last up to 20 years. In contrast, composite only lasts about five years on average. So even though you are paying more upfront for porcelain, you may end up paying less in the long run.

Schedule Your Consultation

Are you ready to take your teeth and smile to the next level with dental veneers? If so, we encourage you to reach out and schedule your free dental veneers consultation.