Are damaged or discolored teeth affecting your smile confidence?
We offer cosmetic dental solutions, including porcelain veneers, to patients at Halliburton Family Dentistry in Ellicott City, MD. Dr. Denise Halliburton uses veneers as a cosmetic dentistry treatment to help patients with damaged and discolored teeth get their smiles back. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain ceramic that are bonded to the tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers can be highly customized for the individual patient and are made to blend seamlessly with your natural smile and appearance.
Porcelain Veneer Treatment: What to Expect
To begin treatment, we remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth. This is done to create the right bonding surface for the veneers. Then, Dr. Halliburton will take digital impressions of the teeth to send to a dental lab. The lab creates the veneers according to these specifications.
When the veneers are complete, will clean the tooth’s surface and bond the veneers to the teeth. We check your bite and make final adjustments to ensure that the veneers are in the right shape and size for your comfort. Patients can receive porcelain veneers in just two visits to our office.
What Do Porcelain Veneers Treat?
Veneers can treat several dental problems, including stained teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, uneven or worn teeth, gaps between teeth, and slightly crooked teeth.
Stained or Discolored Teeth
One of the most common reasons people get porcelain veneers is to cover stained or discolored teeth. Teeth can become stained from drinking coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking. Sometimes, teeth can also become discolored from certain medications or too much fluoride.
While teeth whitening treatments can help in many cases, some stains are too deep or stubborn to remove with whitening alone. Porcelain veneers provide a great solution because they cover the front of the teeth, hiding discoloration and giving the teeth a whiter, more uniform look.
Chipped or Cracked Teeth
Porcelain veneers are also an excellent option for fixing chipped or cracked teeth. Teeth can become chipped or cracked from accidents, biting down on something hard, or even grinding your teeth at night.
A chipped or cracked tooth can make people self-conscious about their smile and, if left untreated, lead to further damage. By placing a veneer over the damaged tooth, dentists can restore its shape and appearance, making it look whole and natural again. Veneers provide a cosmetic fix and a protective layer for the damaged tooth.
Uneven or Worn Teeth
Teeth can become uneven or worn down over time due to factors like grinding (bruxism) or normal wear and tear. This can make the teeth look short or uneven, affecting the appearance of a person’s smile. Porcelain veneers can restore the length and shape of these worn-down teeth, creating a more balanced and even smile. By covering the worn surfaces, veneers also help protect the teeth from further wear.
Gaps Between Teeth
Many people have small gaps between their teeth that they would like to close. While orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners can fix these gaps, they often take a long time to show results. Porcelain veneers can provide a faster solution by covering the gaps and making the teeth look more evenly spaced. Dentists can design the veneers to fill in the gaps, giving a more complete and aligned appearance without requiring lengthy orthodontic treatment.
Slightly Crooked Teeth
Porcelain veneers can also help improve the appearance of slightly crooked teeth. For mildly misaligned teeth, veneers can provide a straighter look without bracing. The dentist can create shaped and positioned veneers to make the teeth appear more aligned and uniform. While veneers are not a solution for severe misalignment, they are a great option for those with minor crookedness who want a quicker cosmetic fix.
Fixes Multiple Problems at Once
One of the best things about porcelain veneers is that they can treat multiple dental problems simultaneously. If someone has teeth that are stained, chipped, and uneven, veneers can address all these issues with just one treatment. This makes veneers a convenient and effective way to achieve a beautiful smile makeover without undergoing several procedures.
The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can improve the appearance of your smile. The benefits of porcelain veneers include a natural look, durability, stain resistance, and a boost in confidence.
A Natural and Attractive Look
One of the main benefits of porcelain veneers is that they look very natural. Dentists design veneers to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. The porcelain material mimics the way real teeth reflect light, making them almost impossible to tell apart from the rest of your smile. This means that veneers blend in well, giving you a natural and improved appearance. Because of this natural look, veneers are a great option for people who want to fix cosmetic flaws without them being obvious.
Durability and Long-Lasting Results
Porcelain veneers are strong and durable, which makes them a great long-term solution for improving your smile. With proper care, veneers can last 10 to 15 years or even longer. The porcelain used in veneers is resistant to wear and tear, which helps them stay in good condition over time.
Unlike other cosmetic treatments that may need to be redone frequently, veneers provide a lasting fix for various dental issues. They are firmly bonded to the teeth, so you do not have to worry about them coming loose or falling off easily.
Resistant to Stains
Another big benefit of porcelain veneers is that they are highly resistant to stains. Unlike natural teeth, which can become stained from coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking, porcelain veneers do not easily absorb these stains. The porcelain material used in veneers has a smooth and non-porous surface, making it harder for stains to stick.
This means you can enjoy your favorite foods and drinks without worrying as much about discoloration. Your smile stays brighter and whiter for a longer time, giving you more confidence in your daily life.
Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem
A beautiful smile can greatly boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem. Many people feel self-conscious about their teeth, especially if stained, chipped, or uneven. Porcelain veneers can quickly and effectively improve these imperfections, giving you a smile you feel proud of. With a better smile, you may feel more comfortable in social situations, at work, or in photos. Feeling confident about your smile can also encourage you to smile more, positively affecting your mood and interactions.
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Read the answers to commonly asked questions about porcelain veneers:
How much are porcelain veneers?
The materials, size, and location of the tooth are all factors that go into the price of dental veneers. Dental veneer treatment costs will vary from patient to patient. Tooth veneers are permanent and can cover an extensive area of the tooth. For patients with more minor cosmetic concerns, we offer dental bonding. This more economical alternative to dental veneers is best used for chips, cracks, and small injuries in the tooth enamel.
Am I a candidate for porcelain veneer treatment?
We always take the time to evaluate our patient’s smiles before treatment. Gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and TMJ disorders must be treated before any cosmetic treatment, including veneers. Once we ensure that patients have no underlying oral health problems, we can go forward with treatment.
How long do dental veneers last?
Dental veneers are permanent and will last for many years if cared for properly. Patients can maintain their veneers by brushing and flossing regularly and visiting the dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning.
Can I whiten porcelain veneers?
Although veneers are stain-resistant, beverages like tea, coffee, and wine can stain them over time. Because of this, patients may wonder if they can whiten their veneers. Porcelain veneers cannot be whitened with teeth whitening treatments. If you have old or discolored veneers, call our office, and we can provide you with bright and new veneers.
Call Our Dental Office Today
Are you interested in porcelain veneer treatment? Request a dental consultation with our team on our website. You can also contact Halliburton Family Dentistry today at 443-232-0656. Our office sees patients from Ellicott City, Elkridge, Columbia, and other areas of Howard County.