Porcelain Veneers – Frequently Asked Questions

The beauty of porcelain veneers is their diverse use in cosmetic dentistry. They can cover broken, chipped, crooked, or misaligned teeth. They can cover discolored or stained teeth that may not have been candidates for professional whitening. And they can be used to fill gaps between teeth or to cover teeth that have become worn. Below are some answers to the most common questions people have about porcelain veneers.

Is there a benefit to porcelain veneers? 

Since the material naturally resists stains, teeth will be more resistant to typical stain contributors (such as coffee, wine, or smoking). The “first day” whiteness can be maintained through brushing alone.

Will this “whiteness” appear natural?

Since teeth have a naturally translucent quality to them, and veneers (being made of porcelain) replicate this quality, the resulting luster and shine is very natural in appearance.

How long will they last?

By its nature, porcelain is an extremely strong, durable, and naturally resilient material which means it will not wear from routine brushing. As such porcelain veneers can last well over ten years.

Can you give me a short overview of the procedure? 

The process typically takes visits to the office. In the first visit, the dentist takes an impression of the tooth (or teeth) to create working models of the mouth. These are the models in which the veneers are created, custom crafted to specification to fit the prepared teeth (through light roughening of the surface and shaping). In the second visit the prepared teeth are cleaned, polished, and then the veneers are affixed using a special bonding adhesive.

What will the appearance of my teeth be like between these two appointments? 

You will leave the first appointment with a temporary veneer that looks very much like what the custom veneer will appear.

What factors are considered when “designing” the custom porcelain veneer? 

Obviously, color and shape of the end-product are most critical, and several factors such as the shape of the face, the whites of the eyes (since naturally-looking veneers should never be lighter than the white’s of the patient’s eyes), and skin tone are used to develop the ideal, natural-looking, healthy, and vibrant smile.

Contact our Mentor cosmetic dentistry center for further information.