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Home|Alexandria VA Cosmetic and Comprehensive General Dentistry Articles|Porcelain Veneers in Alexandria Northern Virginia

Porcelain Veneers in Alexandria Northern Virginia

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available and for good reason: they’re highly customizable and their durable, stain-resistant construction enables them to be a long-lasting solution to a variety of common aesthetic problems.

Dr. Mojgan Mazhari—our skilled cosmetic dentist—has years of experience helping patients transform their smiles using porcelain veneers. She’ll work closely with you throughout the process in order to ensure that the final result is functional, beautiful, and natural-looking. Here’s everything you need to know about porcelain veneers. Porcelain Veneers in Alexandria Northern Virginia

What are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are made from a thin, translucent, ceramic material. They’re bonded to the fronts of the teeth and provide a long-lasting aesthetic solution to a wide range of dental concerns, including:

Understanding the Porcelain Veneers Process 

The first step in the porcelain veneers process involves a consultation with Dr. Mazhari to go over your aesthetic goals. Then, we evaluate your oral health and formulate the best treatment plan. Dr. Mazhari assists you in selecting the shade of ceramic that looks the most natural and best suits your cosmetic goals.

Then, we’ll take impressions of the teeth receiving veneers. These impressions are used to create custom ceramic coverings for your teeth. Next, we prepare the tooth surface so the veneers fit securely and comfortably without negatively affecting your bite. This involves removing a thin layer of tooth enamel to create a surface suitable for attaching the veneers.

Once your custom veneers are fabricated, you’ll have an appointment to check the color, brightness, and fit to ensure comfort and aesthetic satisfaction. Once approved, they’re securely attached to your teeth and polished for optimal shine and luster.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers can last for years or even decades. They’re constructed from a high-quality ceramic that is durable and stain-resistant for long-lasting results. 

In order to maximize the longevity of your veneers, follow all care instructions and stay dedicated to maintaining optimal oral health. You should also avoid actions that strain your teeth excessively, such as clenching, grinding, or using your teeth to open things.

What’s the Best Way to Care for My Porcelain Veneers?

Traditional hygiene practices go a long way in caring for your teeth and your new porcelain veneer: 

Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

While there’s some overlap in the benefits offered by these two options, porcelain veneers are generally seen as a cosmetic treatment, whereas dental crowns are viewed more as a restorative option. 

Veneers cover just the front and side portions of the affected tooth with a durable porcelain material that can conceal aesthetic imperfections. By contrast, a dental crown covers the entire tooth and is primarily designed to improve the strength, health, and functionality. 

While custom dental crowns can also provide significant cosmetic enhancement of the teeth, they are more likely to be recommended for teeth that are affected by severe structural damage or decay.

Once your needs are evaluated during the initial appointment our dentist can determine whether a porcelain veneer or a dental crown is the most ideal option.

What Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The exact cost of porcelain veneers varies on a case-by-case basis. But the average cost at Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio is around $1,600 to $1,900 per tooth. Lumineers a low- or no-prep alternative to porcelain veneers, average between $1,100 and $1,600 per tooth. 

Although the initial costs may be higher than some other cosmetic procedures, it’s important to remember that porcelain veneers are a beautiful, natural-looking aesthetic investment that can last for decades with proper care. We pride ourselves on using the highest-quality materials to construct our veneers, and Dr. Mazhari strives to deliver results that will keep you smiling for years to come.

Dr. Mazhari believes that quality cosmetic dentistry should be available to all patients, regardless of their budget. That is why we offer a range of payment options, including financing through one of our trusted third-party lenders. These plans often feature low- or no-interest and flexible repayment schedules, making them an ideal option for patients pursuing more extensive procedures. If you’re interested in learning more about our financing options, please reach out to our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Porcelain Veneers Frequently Asked Questions

Are there alternatives to porcelain veneers?

Depending on your specific concerns and ultimate goals, there may be alternatives to porcelain veneers that meet your expectations:

Cosmetic dental bonding can treat many of the same concerns as porcelain veneers, including chips and gaps between the teeth. While the results of cosmetic bonding typically don’t last as long compared to veneers, the treatment can still produce excellent outcomes for ideal candidates. 

Teeth whitening also serves as an alternative to porcelain veneers if brightening your smile is your primary goal. However, this treatment may not be recommended for patients who have teeth that suffer from particularly deep and dark stains. Porcelain veneers are usually better treatments in those cases.

Our dentist can discuss your options once your teeth have been examined and determine whether porcelain veneers or an alternative treatment is best for your needs.

Can you whiten porcelain veneers?

Since porcelain veneers are designed to be stain-resistant, a teeth-whitening treatment has no effect on them. Veneers are color-corrected before being placed to provide a natural blend with the teeth surrounding them. With this in mind, it’s often recommended that patients have a teeth whitening treatment just before their porcelain veneers are created—this makes it possible to color-tint the veneers in a whiter, more refreshed-looking shade to match the surrounding teeth.

Do porcelain veneers hurt?

The porcelain veneer procedure shouldn’t cause discomfort, since the treatment area will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Once in place, the treated teeth and the area around the veneers may feel a bit tender after the anesthetic wears off, but this effect should fade quickly and the actual veneers shouldn’t cause any lingering discomfort. In fact, soon after treatment, they feel essentially no different than your natural teeth.

Do porcelain veneers look natural?

Porcelain veneers are precisely and meticulously designed to appear as natural as possible. The porcelain material is durable, natural-looking, and should function similarly to your regular teeth. The tone of the veneer can be adjusted to best suit your overall smile aesthetic as well. During your initial consultation, our team shows you before-and-after photos of previous patients who have received veneers so you can see the results for yourself.