What Are Porcelain Veneers and How Do They Work?
In this video, Dr. Matthew Keider explains how porcelain veneers can enhance the appearance of your smile by correcting issues with color, shape, or alignment. Learn about the process, from custom design to placement, and how Dr. Keider ensures that the results meet your expectations—schedule your free consultation today.
Let’s talk about porcelain veneers, which are a great option for enhancing the appearance of your smile. You might have heard the term Lumineers, which is a specific brand of veneers, but generally, a veneer is like a thin shell that covers the front of your teeth. Think of it like a fake fingernail for your teeth, designed to improve their appearance by changing their color, shape, or even their position to some extent.
Veneers are generally placed over the front surface of the tooth and can be used to correct minor alignment issues. Depending on the situation, sometimes the tooth needs to be reduced in size a little bit to accommodate the thickness of the veneer, so it doesn’t make the tooth look too bulky or out of place. In some cases, however, no-prep veneers can be used, meaning no tooth reduction is needed. This is often a good option when the teeth are naturally set back a little and adding a bit of thickness will enhance the smile.
For no-prep veneers, they can be directly placed on your existing teeth without any preparation, but this is only possible in certain situations, such as when the teeth are not too large or protruding. If the teeth are already large or stick out, a slight reduction may be needed to ensure the veneer fits properly and doesn’t make the teeth appear too big.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a dental lab to ensure they match your smile perfectly. Once made, they are permanently cemented onto your teeth. Unlike temporary restorations, veneers are not removable by the patient; once they are placed, they stay on.
Veneers can be used to improve a single tooth, like a peg lateral (a small tooth next to the front teeth), or multiple teeth in a row. Some people opt for multiple veneers, such as for 8 or 10 teeth, especially when they are making a significant change in color, like achieving a much whiter smile. It’s important to note that if you’re making a significant color change, it’s best to treat multiple teeth rather than just two front teeth to avoid a mismatched appearance.
When it comes to veneers, I strive to offer the best cosmetic results possible for every patient. Some dentists specialize in “cosmetic dentistry,” but I believe that cosmetic considerations should be integrated into every dental procedure, especially when it comes to your front teeth. I’m dedicated to ensuring the most aesthetically pleasing results, and I take care to involve you in every step of the process.
I understand that making changes to your front teeth can feel like a big decision. That’s why I don’t expect you to just trust that the changes will look good. Instead, I take a digital scan of your mouth and create a model where I can make adjustments before the actual procedure. You’ll have the chance to see the proposed changes and give feedback. If anything doesn’t look quite right, we can adjust it until we have the perfect outcome. This process eliminates the uncertainty and helps you feel confident in your decision.
If you’re considering veneers, I’d love to take a look at your smile and discuss whether they’re the right option for you. Sometimes there may be other, better options, but we can assess your needs together. I’ll ensure that you’re fully informed about the process, and you’ll even have the chance to see a visual representation of the end result before any treatment begins. This helps you feel comfortable with the direction we’re taking and ensures that you’ll be happy with the outcome.
