If you want to cover tooth stains, gaps between teeth, or crooked teeth, try veneers. Porcelain veneers can help correct a variety of dental health and cosmetic concerns. One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures, porcelain veneers can repair damaged teeth, fix misshapen teeth, and brighten stained teeth. Learn all about porcelain veneers from our cosmetic dentist in Lexington, KY.
At Complete Dentistry For All Ages, Dr. Morgan Chambers provides custom porcelain veneers to her patients. She helps patients achieve their dream smile and improve their overall dental health. Dr. Chambers can also provide a quick smile makeover with porcelain veneers.
Continue reading to learn about the treatment and if it’s right for you, then schedule a consultation online. You’ll feel confident about the way that you look again with this smile-enhancing treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers in Lexington, KY?
Our dental veneers are ultra-thin shells made of porcelain, an almost translucent material. Your dentist will bond them to the front of your imperfect teeth, changing their shape and look. Porcelain veneers enable Dr. Chambers to correct a variety of dental health and cosmetic concerns. They are durable, stain-resistant, and create permanent cosmetic results.
Porcelain veneers are strong and can last 10 years or more without needing repair or replacement. With proper care, they are a great for improving teeth without making a significant investment in dental work. Veneers are less expensive than crowns and other types of dental restorations. They’re also stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about coffee, tea, or red wine staining them.
Veneers can also help you achieve the perfect smile by improving your bite and teeth alignment. Porcelain veneers can:
- Give you a whiter smile as an alternative to teeth whitening
- Create more uniform teeth that are in proper shape
- Reduce gaps between teeth or misalignment
- Repair tooth wear and tear
- Correct stains or discoloration
Porcelain veneers also look like real tooth enamel. In fact, most people won’t even know you have them unless you tell them. We work closely with patients to ensure the result is comfortable, looks like your real teeth, and is long-lasting. Inspire yourself; view porcelain veneers before and after photos of real patients in our smile gallery.
The Porcelain Veneer Treatment Process
Dr. Chambers diagnoses and addresses any underlying dental problems to be able to provide lasting porcelain veneer results. As a practitioner of complete dentistry, Dr. Chambers takes the time to analyze a patient’s entire occlusal system. She will look for imbalances that will compromise your results.
So before she can begin the porcelain veneer procedure, Dr. Chambers will conduct a comprehensive dental exam and consultation. Then, she can determine if custom-made porcelain veneers are the most suitable option for you. She will create and discuss the treatment plan and expected results with you. It usually takes 2 to 3 visits for patients to receive the final porcelain veneers in our Lexington, KY dentist office.
The Porcelain Veneer Procedure
Dr. Chambers will begin by preparing your teeth for the veneers. She will remove a small amount of the natural tooth structure from the treatment area. This creates room for the veneers to fit comfortably and securely in your mouth, and a rough surface for the veneers to grip.
Dr. Chambers will send impressions of your teeth along with treatment specifications to a highly talented ceramist. The specialist will hand-fabricate each dental veneer in a laboratory. It generally takes about 3 weeks for Dr. Chambers to receive your final restorations.
In the meantime, you will wear temporary veneers that Dr. Chambers will place on your teeth. You will have to be careful to avoid hard and crunchy foods or hot beverages because they can dislodge the veneers from the temporary cement.
At your final appointment, Dr. Chambers will fit the veneers on your teeth and adjust them for a secure and comfortable fit. Then, she will cement them to your teeth to create a permanent restoration. Lastly, she will provide any specific long-term care instructions for maintaining your new smile. You can always call our dental office with questions before and after your treatment.
How to Care For Veneers
After you get your porcelain veneers in Lexington, KY, you must ensure you properly care for them so they last. Follow these tips to care for your veneers:
- Brush and floss: A good oral hygiene routine helps your veneers last. Brush your teeth at least twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Floss daily to remove food particles from between your teeth. While veneers themselves cannot be impacted by infection, infection can impact your natural teeth and gums.
- Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods: Veneers are strong but not indestructible. Do not bite down on hard objects like ice, nuts, and pen caps. You can chip or crack your veneers. Sticky foods such as caramel and taffy can pull at your veneers, potentially dislodging them. Instead, eat soft and easy-to-chew foods.
- Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks: Veneers resist stains, but the surrounding natural teeth can still discolor. Limit coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco products. If you continue to consume these, rinse your mouth with water afterward to minimize staining. Consider using a straw for beverages that can stain your teeth.
- Visit For Dental Check-Ups: Visit our dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings. During these visits, our dentist will inspect your veneers to ensure they remain in good condition. If our dentist finds any problems with your veneers, she will address these potential issues early. Professional cleanings at these visits will also support the longevity of your veneers.
- Protect Your Teeth: If you grind or clench your teeth, talk to our dentist about getting a custom TMJ nightguard. This will protect your veneers from the damaging effects of bruxism (teeth grinding). If you participate in contact sports, wear a protective mouthguard to prevent injury to your teeth and veneers.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Do you want to learn more about veneers? Read on to discover if porcelain veneers are the best cosmetic dental choice for you.
How does a dentist apply porcelain veneers?
Our dentist will begin by making an impression of your teeth. She will use this to create a model of your mouth to ensure the veneers fit properly. Next, you’ll receive anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain and discomfort during the procedure.
Our dentist will then use thin slices of porcelain and bond them onto your teeth using special dental cement. She will cure the cement using a special light.
What are the drawbacks of dental veneers?
Since porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover your teeth, your dentist can’t use them to correct deep or severe dental problems. If you need significant changes to many of your teeth, such as straightening them, porcelain veneers won’t be an option.
Note that porcelain veneers aren’t permanent; they will eventually wear down and can chip and break. For example, the veneers are likely to chip or break if you regularly grind your teeth or chew on hard objects. You need to be more careful about how you use your teeth with veneers.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
They typically last for about ten years. With proper care and routine dental exams, you will not have to worry about replacing them periodically. However, if you neglect your dental health, you may need to replace them sooner. Remember to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to keep them healthy.
What if my veneers fall off?
On the rare occasion that a veneer falls off, try to locate it and bring it into our Lexington dental office for a replacement. Permanent veneers do not tend to just fall off or break unexpectedly. The majority of old veneers are prone to this issue.
Tooth decay can contribute to a veneer falling off. For example, if it’s been a long time since you had a dental checkup, decay has likely eaten away at the natural teeth behind the veneers. The decay makes it hard for the veneers to stay on, and they will eventually fall out.
Should I get crowns or veneers?
Getting dental crowns over veneers depends on your situation. Veneers are more of a cosmetic dental treatment versus dental crowns. Crowns can effectively cover an entire tooth to seal out the decay and deep stains. Veneers only cover the front of teeth.
Your situation may not warrant an entire dental crown. Your dentist will recommend the best course of action and help you compare your options.
Is the porcelain veneers process painful?
No, the porcelain veneer process will not cause pain or stress on your gums and teeth. We will administer local anesthesia to prevent discomfort, but sometimes, this is not necessary in simple cases.
Get Veneers Today
To schedule a dental exam and risk-free consultation for porcelain veneers in Lexington, give us a call at 859-251-3809. You can also request a dental appointment online anytime. Complete Dentistry For All Ages is here for all your cosmetic dental needs.
*Results may vary