Porcelain Veneers Frequently Asked Questions

Also called dental veneers, porcelain veneers are becoming more popular by the day. They are porcelain shells of the same color as your teeth, which are fitted to improve your appearance/smile. Despite this popularity, there are many who do not have an idea of what porcelain veneers are for or how they function.

We get several queries here at Streamline Dental Solutions in Blacksburg from different parts of the globe asking about our service. Read on to find out the answers to some frequently asked questions about porcelain veneers and their functionality.

Question #1: What are dental/porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain bonded to the teeth so that they resemble natural teeth. Made from specialized ceramic material meant for the purpose, these shells are fitted onto the teeth to cover other imperfections so that the appearance or smile is improved.

Question #2: When are porcelain veneers used?
Porcelain dental veneers are versatile and can be used to fix a variety of dental problems. When porcelain veneers are used, they can dramatically change the facial appearance/smile of the individual. However, the decision to fix porcelain veneer is taken by the concerned specialist only after a thorough evaluation of the specific case. Porcelain veneers are used to cover broken/chipped tooth, hide discoloration of the teeth in the front, and to also fix crooked teeth that are not in alignment with the rest.

Question #3: Can dental veneers help to cover chipped/cracked teeth?
It is a known fact that chipped or cracked teeth lessen the effect of a nice smile. Porcelain veneer shells can be fitted over the chips or cracks and hide them from view to make the smile more appealing.

Question #4: Can dental veneers be used to hide stains / discoloration on the teeth? There are different types of treatments to overcome discoloration of teeth. Many of them are effective in that they help to improve the color of the teeth greatly. However, this entails many visits to the dentist’s office. It is also possible that some deep stains cannot just be removed. In such cases, the best solution is to fix porcelain veneers over the discolored teeth. Any type of stain can be covered using this method.

Question #5: Are dental veneers used for straightening crooked/misaligned teeth? To straighten crooked/misaligned teeth, a patient has to undergo orthodontic treatment that may take months and many visits to the dentist’s office. It is also likely to be expensive. This problem can be instantly addressed by using porcelain veneers or lumineers. Misaligned or crooked teeth can be fixed to form perfectly even rows of teeth in a matter of just two visits.

Question #6: Are there any preconditions that patients have to satisfy to have porcelain veneers fixed? The best candidates who can have porcelain veneers fixed are those who have a good overall dental health. The teeth should also be strong because a small amount of tooth material is removed to fix the porcelain veneer cap. Half a millimeter of a tooth is usually removed to fix the dental veneer.

Question #7: Can porcelain veneers be fixed for any individual? Though porcelain veneers are versatile and can be used to treat several conditions, not every patient is a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Any patient that visits our office will undergo a comprehensive study and evaluation to determine whether porcelain veneers will help to solve the problem. However, we have seen that most patients who are fitted with dental veneers are completely satisfied with the results.

Question #8: What are the advantages of using porcelain veneers? There are many advantages of using porcelain veneers. First, they can be used to overcome many problems of the teeth in a very short span of time that otherwise take many visits to the dentist. This is also why dental veneers are also called instant orthodontics. Another major advantage is that they give a completely natural look, and it is hard to distinguish porcelain veneer from natural teeth after treatment.

Question #9: Are dental veneers effective? Porcelain veneers are both effective and versatile in that a variety of dental problems can be treated with them. Treatment with porcelain veneers falls under the realm of conservative dentistry, which means that the tooth structure is not compromised or reduced during the procedure.

Question #10: Are porcelain veneers popular? Porcelain veneers are growing popular by the day because they help to retain the natural look of the teeth. This is the reason celebrities are choosing to have some of their dental problems fixed with the help of these veneers. They are semi-translucent and appear 100% natural in natural or artificial light. It is difficult to differentiate between the veneer cap and the natural tooth for the onlooker.

Question #11: How should one take care of porcelain veneers? Caring for your porcelain veneers is simple and easy. They need the same care as your natural teeth. Ensure that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss your teeth just before you go to sleep to maintain dental hygiene. However, it is important that you visit your dentist at least two times in a year for a checkup. Their position may need adjustments over time for the best alignment results.

Question #12: What is procedure for fixing porcelain veneers? Fixing dental veneer essentially involves three steps. In the first step, the impression of the tooth with the problem is taken after adequate preparation at the dentist’s office. This impression is then dispatched to a laboratory where a permanent veneer is constructed according to the impression received. The second step involves the placement of a temporary veneer until the time the permanent dental veneer is ready. The third and final step is the fixing of the actual porcelain veneer on to the tooth once it is received from the laboratory.

Question #13: Is it expensive to have your teeth fitted with porcelain veneers? The cost of porcelain veneers will depend on factors such as the dentist that you are visiting, the geographic location, and the dental problem that needs to be fixed using veneers. On average, porcelain veneers are likely to cost anything between $1000 and $2000 per tooth cap.

Question #14: Where can I get more information about porcelain veneers? Though we have managed to answer many of your basic questions, we are sure that you will have many more questions in your mind regarding porcelain veneers. You can get more information on our website, or you can also call us to set up an appointment.