Ready for a complete smile makeover? Want to design your dream smile from scratch? If so, porcelain veneers are an excellent option for you to consider. TotallySmiles offers porcelain veneers in our Gaithersburg, MD dentist office.
With porcelain veneers, you can conceal major cosmetic concerns without sacrificing the functionality of your smile. Learn more about porcelain veneers below.
Porcelain Veneers in Gaithersburg, MD
Dr. Steven Anolik and Dr. Corey Anolik are your experienced cosmetic dentists in Gaithersburg, MD. They are happy to provide porcelain veneers to patients looking to conceal cosmetic concerns like misshapen teeth, bleach-resistant stains, or minor chips.
Our doctors provide compassionate and comprehensive cosmetic services to our patients. They understand you want to feel confident when showing off your smile and are here to help you accomplish this goal. Porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive cosmetic service that allows our patients to make major cosmetic changes to their smiles.
The Porcelain Veneers Process
Before every cosmetic procedure, we schedule a consultation in our office. We’ll discuss your cosmetic goals, medical and dental history, and budget. We also perform a thorough oral health exam to ensure that porcelain veneers are the right solution for your needs.
When you return to the office, we’ll remove a minimal amount of tooth structure to allow the veneer to lay flush with the rest of your teeth. We take impressions of the prepared teeth to send to the dental lab. We also determine the shade of white that you want them to be. They custom-make the veneers to fit the specifications of your prepared teeth and send them to our office.
When they arrive, we’ll fit them to your teeth in the office. We make small modifications to ensure they fit perfectly in your smile. Once you’re happy with the fit, we’ll permanently bond them to your teeth.
Understanding Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic shells designed to conceal the front-facing portion of your natural tooth. Because they are so thin, they do not require much enamel removal to make space in your smile for the veneer. This also means most of your natural tooth structure will remain intact underneath the veneer.
Once the veneer is permanently secured to the exterior of your tooth, it will cosmetically replace the tooth while leaving you with the functionality you need to eat, drink, and speak normally. Porcelain veneers are designed custom to you and your needs. Depending on your needs and goals, you can get one veneer or a full mouth of veneers.
Our doctors will thoroughly evaluate your smile to ensure that any underlying dental concerns causing your cosmetic concerns are treated before placing your veneers. While porcelain veneers are similar to dental crowns, they serve different purposes in your smile.
Dental crowns are designed to replace the entire exterior of a severely broken or decayed tooth while porcelain veneers are used to only replace the front-facing portion of your tooth. If your tooth is too damaged for a porcelain veneer, a dental crown may be a better alternative to restore your affected tooth’s look, feel, AND functionality.
The Uses of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment partially because they can treat so many different issues. One of the most common complaints in our office is tooth discoloration. Typically, we use professional teeth whitening to treat this concern. However, not all discoloration responds to traditional whitening methods. A porcelain veneer provides a good alternative. We color-match the veneer to whatever shade of white you desire. It covers the entire visible surface of your tooth.
As we age, our teeth take on more damage. They wear down, especially if you grind your teeth, and are prone to chips and cracks. Porcelain veneers give you a smile that looks years younger. Not only do they fix the cosmetic issues, but the layer of dental porcelain can help strengthen the affected teeth, too. They act as a protective layer to help prevent more enamel erosion.
Because each custom-made veneer can bridge gaps between your teeth while still looking natural. The lab crafts each one to ensure it meets the proportions for your smile and facial features. If you have small or deformed teeth, the veneers can give you the appearance of a balanced, perfectly-sized smile.
Porcelain Veneers Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of porcelain veneers is their stain resistance. Natural teeth are porous, making them more prone to absorbing staining pigments. Porcelain is nonporous, so they aren’t as likely to be impacted by staining agents. You can confidently drink things like coffee and red wine with veneers.
Veneers are a durable solution that lasts many years with the proper care and maintenance. Their average lifespan is 10-15 years or more. They resist chips and cracks in addition to stains. They’re a minimally invasive solution that only requires the minimal removal of tooth enamel. You can get a solution to things like moderately crooked teeth in a few appointments instead of the months it takes for orthodontic solutions.
Porcelain makes an ideal material to blend in with your natural smile. It has the same translucent quality, giving natural tooth enamel its signature sheen. Because their custom design makes them blend in size and shape, it can be difficult for people to tell which teeth are natural and which have veneers.
Frequently Asked Questions
We will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about dental veneers.
Do porcelain veneers ever fall off?
Porcelain veneers can fall off. However, it’s not common. Veneers generally last for many years, often more than a decade. However, they may come loose and fall off if the sticky bond weakens. They might also come loose or fall off due to tooth decay under the veneer or trauma to the tooth. If a veneer falls off, it is important not to try to reattach it yourself. Instead, you should store it safely and contact a dentist for an emergency appointment.
Is it painful to get porcelain veneers?
Thanks to local anesthesia, getting porcelain veneers involves minimal discomfort during the procedure. You may experience some sensitivity or mild soreness after the procedure as the anesthesia wears off. However, this is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Additionally, your mouth may take a couple of weeks to adjust to the veneers.
Do porcelain veneers look fake?
Dentists design porcelain veneers to look very natural. They’re custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. Furthermore, the porcelain material has a similar clearness to tooth enamel, which helps them reflect light in a way that mimics natural teeth. Overall, the quality of the outcome will depend on the expertise of the dentist and the lab technician. Porcelain veneers can be virtually unnoticeable from natural teeth.
Can you get porcelain veneers with missing teeth?
Dentists don’t use porcelain veneers to replace missing teeth. Dentist and dental labs design them to cover and improve the appearance of existing teeth by attaching them to their front surface. On the other hand, dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures are more suitable options for missing teeth. These treatments can fill in gaps and restore functionality to your bite.
Do cavities develop under porcelain veneers?
Cavities can develop under porcelain veneers if you neglect oral hygiene. The veneers themselves cannot get cavities. However, the tooth underneath the veneer is vulnerable to decay. The problem usually starts along the edges where the veneer meets the tooth. Overall, good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing and flossing prevent cavities from forming under or around veneers.
Do porcelain veneers break easily?
Porcelain veneers are durable and do not break easily. They contain high-quality porcelain, which is resistant to wear, fractures, and temperature changes. However, like natural teeth, you can damage them by biting on hard objects or grinding your teeth. Moreover, like natural teeth, you can break veneers with the wrong force or pressure. If you have veneers, you should avoid biting into very hard objects.
Schedule An Appointment
If you are ready to start your smile makeover, schedule a cosmetic consultation with our experienced Gaithersburg, MD dentists. They will work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs and goals. We look forward to seeing you soon.