Porcelain veneers are an attractive and versatile cosmetic dentistry solution for quickly transforming damaged and discolored teeth into seamless elements of a world-class smile. Veneers are made of a durable, semi-translucent material that is custom-crafted to resemble your natural tooth enamel and give you a stunning, confident smile.
To find out if porcelain veneers are right for you, contact the DENTAL STUDIO SF today online or at 415-689-8171 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist. Our San Francisco office helps patients from all over the Bay Area.
- What Are Porcelain Veneers?
- Porcelain Veneers Benefits
- Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns
- Instant Orthodontics with Porcelain Veneers
- Porcelain Veneers Treatment
- Porcelain Veneers Results
- Porcelain Veneers Cost
- Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth to conceal a number of aesthetic issues. The color, shape, and size of dental veneers are tailored to meet your unique specifications so that they can blend seamlessly with the rest of your natural smile.
During the procedure, one of our experienced dentists here at the DENTAL STUDIO SF will first remove a small amount of your tooth’s outer surface to make room for the veneer. Dental veneers typically need only a slight tooth alteration and provide remarkably durable, beautiful, and natural-looking results.
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry solution for patients who want to conceal cosmetic flaws such as:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Crooked or misaligned teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Worn teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Uneven teeth
Veneers are not “caps.” They are custom-crafted to appear just like natural, sparkling teeth. Almost all patients who get porcelain veneers report that the results exceed their expectations.
What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Dental Veneers?
We understand that you want to improve the appearance of your teeth while still maintaining a natural look and feel. With dental veneers, your treatment is tailored just for you so the results can look beautiful and natural, never fake.
The porcelain material used provides an authentic sheen like your other teeth. Rather than having a flat, opaque appearance, porcelain veneers have a natural, translucent luster.
Some of the most significant benefits of porcelain veneers include:
- Custom-crafted into a unique size and shape to meet your individual needs
- Matched to the color of your existing or ideal teeth to provide natural-looking results
- Resistant to staining
- Durable
- Non-invasive procedure
Alone or as part of a smile makeover, veneers can greatly improve the appearance of almost any smile.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns
Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are both effective treatments that have been successfully utilized in dental procedures for decades; however, there are some distinctions between the two that are important to recognize. While porcelain veneers can enhance function and strength for certain types of dental conditions, they do not cover the entire tooth and are primarily useful as a cosmetic dentistry treatment. On the other hand, a dental crown may be recommended if the tooth is suffering from significant structural damage. A dental crown is custom-designed to cover the entire tooth, rather than just the front and side portions. Crowns are typically more useful for patients who require significant reinforcement and protection of tooth structure; however, they also provide exceptional cosmetic benefits since they can simultaneously enhance dental aesthetics.
During your consultation, our dentist will examine your teeth and determine whether a porcelain veneer or a dental crown may present the best option for your needs.
Instant Orthodontics with Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics” due to their ability to reshape your smile without the need for braces. Not only can porcelain veneers mask discolored or damaged teeth, but they can also:
- Make shorter teeth more proportionate
- Create an improved overall arc to your bite
- Make your teeth appear more symmetrical
- Splint minor cracks in teeth
While porcelain veneers are a great solution for addressing teeth that suffer from minor surface-level damage, they are not usually appropriate for teeth that are significantly misaligned or seriously damaged. Depending on the unique circumstances of your situation, our dentists may recommend Invisalign® or another treatment to correct problems with your bite.
What Does the Porcelain Veneers Procedure Involve?
The porcelain veneers procedure begins with the preparation of the affected teeth. This involves a slight amount of modification to the existing tooth structure to provide the veneers with the best fit. Then, we will create a dental impression of the affected teeth. This impression will essentially serve as a “blueprint” for the custom veneers to ensure that the results look and feel as natural as possible. The veneers will then be designed and manufactured out of a strong porcelain material and color-matched to the surrounding teeth. Our dentist will delicately place the porcelain veneers on the teeth and secure them with a durable dental cement. Once the final adjustments are made, the veneers will be given one more polish and the process is complete.
It usually only takes about two office visits for a porcelain veneers treatment. A local anesthetic is generally all that’s necessary to minimize the potential for discomfort during the procedure.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Much like your own teeth, the amount of time that you can expect your veneers to last depends greatly on how well you care for them. With sufficient care, these remarkably durable restorations can last for years, even decades, to come.
To properly maintain your veneers, your daily oral hygiene routine should consist of:
- Brushing for at least two minutes after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Flossing twice a day to prevent plaque buildup.
- Meeting regularly with the dentist every six months or as otherwise recommended. This will allow your veneers to be closely monitored as part of your ongoing dental commitment.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
Every smile is different, and the cost of porcelain veneers treatment can vary from one patient to another based on individual needs and the customized treatment plan. Factors that determine the total price of porcelain veneers treatment include the number of veneers that are being placed, which teeth are being treated with the veneers, and other components. The best way to get a clear picture of what you can expect to pay is by meeting personally with the dentist in a free consultation. During this important meeting, our dentist will assess your current state of oral health and explain all of your options. If you decide to move forward with porcelain veneers treatment, the personalized treatment plan will be developed and a member of our team can provide you with a cost estimate. We are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss the convenient payment options at our practice, which include dental financing plans available from reputable third-party agencies that offer qualified applicants a way to pay for their treatment in a series of installments.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers
Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?
Dental insurance policies do not typically offer coverage for porcelain veneers since it is categorized as a cosmetic dental treatment. With that in mind, our office accepts a wide variety of payment options to make this part of the process as convenient as possible. These include third-party dental financing plans that can help eligible applicants pay for their porcelain veneers treatment over time.
How strong are porcelain veneers?
The ceramics utilized to craft the porcelain veneers available from our practice are of extremely high quality and exceptional durability. This makes it possible to produce very strong porcelain veneers that can last for decades with the proper care.
Do porcelain veneers stain?
It is not possible for porcelain veneers to develop stains. They are permanently color-tinted with a special material at the time of placement and will remain the same color throughout their lifespan.
Can porcelain veneers be whitened?
The insusceptibility of porcelain veneers to stains and discoloration means they are also incapable of being whitened. As staining agents in certain foods and beverages will have no effect on them, bleaching agents will likewise be unable to change their color. For this reason, our dentist may recommend a teeth whitening treatment before the porcelain veneers are placed. This makes it possible to provide the veneer with a color-match to surrounding teeth that already look whiter and healthier.
Are porcelain veneers reversible?
Before a porcelain veneer is placed, it is almost always necessary to remove a certain amount of the existing tooth’s structure in order to provide the best possible fit. This essentially makes porcelain veneer procedures irreversible. Fortunately, most patients find the results of porcelain veneers to be so remarkable that they have no wish to ever have them removed.
Schedule Your Free Porcelain Veneers Consultation Today
To discuss your candidacy for porcelain veneers in a free consultation, please contact the DENTAL STUDIO SF today by completing the form on this page or calling 415-689-8171.