What are Porcelain Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored porcelain material that cover the front of your teeth. Veneers can change the shape, size, length, and color of your teeth and mask any physical flaws on your natural teeth.

Porcelain Veneers Procedure

Getting porcelain veneers requires three appointments in total. The first appointment is a consultation where Dr. Luu will discuss whether porcelain veneers are the right treatment option for you. Some issues might require dental crowns to resolve instead of porcelain veneers. We will also breakdown the procedure and how much it costs during this appointment.

If they are right for you and you want to proceed with treatment, you will visit us for a second appointment. During this appointment, we will prepare your teeth for the veneers by removing about half a millimeter of enamel from your tooth’s surface. The purpose of this is to make room for the veneers so they don’t stick out once bonded to your teeth. Veneers are also about half a millimeter in size. Once we’re finished, we will take impressions of your teeth and send them to the dental lab to construct your veneers. In the meantime, you will wear temporary veneers on your teeth.

Within two to four weeks, your veneers will arrive from the dental lab. During your third and final appointment, we will trim the veneer to fit your mouth perfectly. Once we achieve the right shape, we will prepare your tooth by cleaning, polishing, and etching them. The purpose of this is to create a rough surface so the bond holds better. We will apply a special bonding cement to your teeth and attach the veneers. Once they’re in their proper position, we will use a special light to activate the chemicals in the bonding cement to harden and cure. We will make any final adjustments to complete your smile.

What Types of Problems can Porcelain Veneers Address?

Dental veneers can address a wide variety of problems. Most patients can benefit from veneers if they have any of the following issues.

  • Stained or discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening
  • Worn-down teeth
  • Chipped or broken teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Uneven or irregularly shaped teeth
  • Gapped teeth

Who’s a Good Candidate?

Most patients are a good candidate for porcelain veneers if they’re searching for a long-lasting cosmetic solution. Porcelain veneers last for up to ten years before you need to replace them. If you regularly get professional whitening treatments, opting for dental veneers can deliver the same white results without the frequent whitening appointments.

Porcelain veneers are also ideal for patients who want a perfect smile but don’t want to have to get orthodontics, teeth whitening and bonding to achieve it. With this all-in-one solution, you can save time and get instant results.

As long as you have a healthy smile free of gum disease and decay, you’re likely a good candidate for porcelain veneers. If you’re not, however, Dr. Luu will recommend alternative treatments to help you achieve your desired results. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile you love.

If you’re ready to enhance your smile with porcelain veneers, what are you waiting for? Contact Elevated Smiles to schedule a free cosmetic dentistry consultation in Carlsbad. Please call (760) 622-3010 to schedule an appointment today.