One of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is porcelain veneers. This procedure utilizes custom made thin porcelain shells to disguise flaws in your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers can be very natural looking, but if they are made cheaply with no regard to your natural smile, they may end up looking fake.
You can rest assured that veneers do not have to appear fake at all. With a combination of modern technology and experienced dentistry, your treatment is sure to result in veneers that are not only beautiful and transformative but also look incredibly natural.
Why do some veneers look fake? Because an inexperienced cosmetic dentist makes them: Too thick: Thick porcelain veneers can appear too opaque. Natural-looking veneers are paper thin and have a slightly translucent quality that mimics real teeth's nuanced structure.
One of the telltale signs that someone has veneers is the color and texture of their teeth. Natural teeth are porous, so they absorb stains from dark-colored beverages such as coffee, tea, and red wine. Veneers, on the other hand, are not porous and do not absorb stains as easily.
A well-designed veneer does not make your tooth look larger – unless you want it to. A veneer can correct many cosmetic dental problems and is a minimally invasive restoration. During the placement of some porcelain veneers, an extremely thin layer of enamel is removed from the tooth.
Keep in mind that veneers are permanent and require preparation (light shaving) of your natural teeth. Once you receive them, you can't go back to your natural teeth.
Why Your Veneers Look Too Bulky. If you have veneers that look too big for your mouth, the problem is usually what are called no-prep or minimal prep veneers. These veneers are designed to bond directly to your natural teeth, without the removal of any natural tooth enamel.
Porcelain veneers can be very natural looking, but if they are made cheaply with no regard to your natural smile, they may end up looking fake. Austin cosmetic dentist Dr. John Schmid utilizes only the best quality porcelain veneers, and he takes the time to tailor them to match your unique needs.
The dental veneers will chip or crack or get worn down. Composite or porcelain veneers can be durable, but they can start to wear down and may even crack over time. Your tooth supporting the veneer can become decayed.
One of the most common questions we get from our patients about porcelain veneers is: Do teeth rot under veneers? The quick and simple answer is: No. Under normal circumstances, teeth should not rot under veneers. As long as your veneers are properly applied and maintained, your natural teeth are well protected.
Oral bacteria can accumulate around the edges of your porcelain veneer and produce a sour smell. Worse than that, oral bacteria also cause gum diseases which can be gingivitis or periodontitis on the gums next to your veneers. Additionally, aggressive placement of dental veneers can increase the risk of gum disease.
In general, porcelain veneers have a realistic texture and are able to mimic the way real teeth reflect light. They're also far more resistant to stains than other materials, which ultimately makes them a slightly more expensive solution.
Veneers do more than remake your teeth. They actually transform the shape of your face. As you age, your mouth loses elasticity and muscle tone, making your face less symmetrical. Veneers make you look younger by supporting your mouth's musculature and accentuating your cheekbones.
The answer is that porcelain veneers, when performed correctly, should feel completely natural in your mouth. You shouldn't even notice them when you're talking, eating, or doing anything with your teeth. They don't require special care, and they should look and feel just like regular teeth.
Size. Teeth that are too big can give patients a horse-like appearance! If just a few teeth are overly large—particularly the front teeth—patients will look like they have buckteeth.
Porcelain Veneers
The most aesthetically pleasing and healthiest material for dental restorations is porcelain. Additionally, it is the most durable and robust veneer material available.
With that said, if you recently received veneers and are unhappy with them follow up with your treating cosmetic dentist. Often the veneers can be recontoured to shorten the length, level them, adjust the bite, change the contours, or make them look more bold or soft.
If you don't like your porcelain veneers, a dentist can remove and replace them with new veneers. But we encourage patients to research the porcelain veneers process and choose a dentist carefully to ensure they are satisfied with the results.
The 4-8-10 rule means that in most veneer cases the most appropriate treatment plan is either treating teeth 7 to 10 or treating the anterior 8 to 10 teeth.
Veneers can be removed and leave the tooth somewhat intact depending on the skill of the dentist, but there should not be any reason to do this. If the consultation with your dentist was comprehensive and your veneers were high quality and properly fitted to begin with, they shouldn't need to be removed anytime soon.
For porcelain veneers to properly attach to your teeth, they must be shaved down and fitted before the veneers can be placed. This procedure causes damage to your teeth, but the veneers cover any evidence of the process.
What Happens When I Get to the Dentist After Losing My Veneer? Your dentist will be able to examine your tooth to determine if reattaching the veneer is a good option. If your veneer broke when it came off, generally the best choice is to have it replaced because most broken veneers cannot be fixed.
The consensus of research studies seems to be that porcelain veneer longevity (survival) typically lies in the range of 90 to 95% after 10 years of service. With longer-term studies suggesting a restoration survival rate of over 80% after 20 years.