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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures available, and for good reason: they are highly customizable, and their durable, stain-resistant construction enables them to be a long-lasting solution to a variety of common aesthetic problems. The veneers themselves are thin layers of tooth-colored ceramic that are bonded to the fronts of the teeth in order to correct chips, gaps, stains, and general wear and tear. They can also be used to correct minor teeth misalignment, a process known as instant orthodontics.

Dr. Mojgan Mazhari—our skilled cosmetic dentist—has years of experience helping patients transform their smiles using porcelain veneers. She will work closely with you throughout the process in order to ensure that the final result is functional, beautiful, and natural-looking.

What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are made from a thin, translucent, ceramic material, and they can provide a long-lasting aesthetic solution to a wide range of dental concerns, including:

What Is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?

The first step in the porcelain veneers process involves a consultation with Dr. Mazhari to go over your aesthetic goals. From there, your oral health will be evaluated and a treatment plan will be formulated. Porcelain veneers are quite customizable, and Dr. Mazhari will assist you in selecting the shade of ceramic that will both look the most natural and best suit your cosmetic goals.

Dr. Mazhari will then take impressions of the teeth that will be receiving veneers. These impressions will then be used to create the custom ceramic coverings for your teeth. After the impressions have been taken, the tooth surface(s) will be prepared so that the veneers can fit securely and comfortably without negatively affecting your bite. This involves removing a thin layer of tooth enamel in order to create a surface suitable for attaching the veneers.

Once your custom veneers have been fabricated, you will have the chance to try them on in our office. The color, brightness, and fit will be checked in order to ensure your comfort and aesthetic satisfaction. Once you have approved the veneers, Dr. Mazhari will securely attach them to your teeth and polish them 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 are constructed from a high-quality ceramic that is designed to be durable and stain-resistant for long-lasting results. In order to maximize the longevity of your veneers, you should carefully follow Dr. Mazhari’s care instructions and ensure that you are maintaining optimal oral health. You should also avoid actions that put excess strain on your teeth, such as clenching, grinding, or using your teeth to open things.

What Is the Best Way to Care for My Porcelain Veneers?

Traditional hygiene practices will go a long way in caring for your teeth and your newly placed porcelain veneers. Keeping up with your scheduled dental check-ups and cleanings, as well as brushing and flossing every day, are key to maintaining the overall health of your teeth and your veneers. In order to avoid any potential damage to your veneers, it is best to utilize other teeth when chewing extremely hard foods. Additionally, if you tend to grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, an oral nightguard can be a great way to reduce the possibility of damaging your veneers.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Crowns

While there is 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 of the tooth. 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 will vary 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 is 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 are interested in learning more about our financing options, please reach out to our office and we will be happy to assist you.

Additional Porcelain Veneers Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there alternatives to porcelain veneers?

Depending on the specific concerns you are looking to address and your ultimate goals, there may be alternatives to porcelain veneers that can 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 do not last as long when compared to veneers, the treatment can still produce excellent outcomes for ideal candidates. Teeth whitening can also serve 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 talk with you about all of 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 will have no effect on them. Veneers are color-corrected before being placed so they can provide a natural blend with the teeth that surround them. With this in mind, it is 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 should not 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 veneers themselves should not cause any lingering discomfort. In fact, soon after treatment they should 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 will be able to show you before-and-after photos of previous patients who have received veneers so you can see the results for yourself.

Contact Us

If you are interested in transforming your smile using porcelain veneers, please contact Alexandria Dental Health & Smile Studio today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have or we can assist you with scheduling a consultation.