Veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored material covering the tooth front and sides. Dental veneers can cover a single tooth or all of the teeth in your smile line. They can cover cosmetic imperfections, including stained, crooked, or slightly damaged teeth. At Flower Mound Family Dentistry, we provide porcelain veneers in Flower Mound, TX. Porcelain materials create the perfect cosmetic dental treatment to improve the appearance of teeth.
What Can Porcelain Veneers Treat?
Porcelain veneers can cover the following:
- Black triangles
- Small gaps between teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Short teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
Veneers are cosmetic treatments; we will not recommend veneers if you have large areas of tooth damage or wear. Dental veneers will only cover your front teeth or the teeth that show when you smile.
The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer multiple advantages to patients who want to improve the look of their teeth:
- Color-matched materials
- Durability
- Stain-resistance
- Brighter tooth appearance
- Even smile line
- Smooth, translucent look
Veneers can create a straighter, brighter-looking smile. Patients with deep tooth stains that do not react to teeth whitening benefit from porcelain veneers. Additionally, we often recommend veneers for patients with slightly crooked teeth. Sometimes, patients with crooked teeth who do not require orthodontic care can change the look of their teeth with veneers.
Porcelain Veneers in Flower Mound, TX
There are multiple steps to veneer treatment in our office:
- Examination and Consultation: We will determine if veneers are right for you during a consultation in our office. After discussing your cosmetic concerns, we will take X-rays of your teeth and gums. This examination helps us accurately plan your veneer treatment.
- Tooth Preparation: At your next visit to our office, we will prepare your teeth. First, we will thoroughly clean your teeth. Then, we will remove a small portion of your tooth, about 0.5 mm. We roughen the tooth enamel to ensure that the veneers fit properly. Preparation also ensures that the final veneers do not feel bulky.
- Dental Impressions: Then, we take dental impressions of your teeth. These impressions will help dental laboratory technicians create custom dental veneers. We use a shade guide to color-match your teeth. This shade guide helps us determine the best shade for your single veneer or front teeth.
- Temporary Veneer Placement: After we prepare teeth for veneers, we must cover your teeth with temporary cosmetic treatments. Temporary veneers will help protect your teeth as you wait for your final veneers.
- Veneer Fabrication: We send impressions of your teeth and our specifications to a local dental lab. Technicians will create your veneers from tooth-colored porcelain.
- Final Veneer Placement: After several weeks, you will return to our office so we can place your final veneers. We will remove your temporary veneers and the adhesive from your teeth. Then, we will double-check that your permanent veneers are the correct shape, shade, and size. Finally, we bond the veneers to the front of your teeth and polish the veneers for a natural look.
Caring for Porcelain Veneers in Flower Mound, TX
Proper care will ensure that your veneers last. After you receive your final veneers, you should avoid:
- Hard and crunchy foods
- Staining foods and beverages
- Tobacco use
- Grinding your teeth
You can potentially damage your veneers if you eat hard foods. Avoid nuts, chips, steak, carrots, celery, and other similar foods after you receive your veneers.
Staining foods and drinks like berries, tomato sauces, tea, coffee, and wine can stain the veneer adhesive. Veneers are best for patients who do not smoke or use tobacco products. We do not recommend smoking after you receive veneers. While veneers are stain-resistant, nicotine can stain the bonding material that keeps veneers in place.
We do not recommend veneers for patients who clench or grind their teeth. Teeth clenching and grinding, or bruxism, places pressure on the teeth. Over time, this continual pressure can damage veneers.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Discover more about porcelain veneers with answers to these common questions:
What are the different types of dental veneers?
There are three main types of veneers: porcelain, composite, and Lumineers. Porcelain veneers use reflective porcelain materials for the most aesthetically pleasing look.
Composite veneers use resin materials. While composite veneers are inexpensive, they do not last as long and are not as stain-resistant as porcelain veneers. Lumineers are a type of veneer made of porcelain laminate. These veneers require less tooth preparation but look less natural than porcelain veneers.
Are veneers permanent?
Tooth veneers are considered permanent because you cannot reverse the tooth preparation process. You must cover your natural teeth with veneers or another treatment after preparation. Veneers are longer-lasting treatments than other cosmetic options like teeth bonding. On average, veneers can last 10 to 20 years.
How many veneers are in a full set?
A full set of veneers can use six to eight tooth coverings. We use so few veneers because the back teeth are not visible when you smile. Veneers only cover the front teeth.
Can veneers break?
Yes, veneers can break. Teeth clenching and grinding, tooth decay, dental injuries, and eating hard foods can chip or crack veneers. While dental veneers are durable, excessive biting force can damage them.
Are veneers painful?
You may feel minor tooth sensitivity directly after you receive your veneers. Avoiding hot or cold foods and drinks can help prevent tooth discomfort. Discomfort from tooth sensitivity will fade after one to two weeks.
How much are veneers?
The cost of veneers depends on the number of veneers you receive and the type of veneers you choose. Porcelain veneers may be more costly than Lumineers. Composite veneers are the least expensive type of veneers. However, they often do not last as long as other veneers.
Receive Cosmetic Veneers Today
Do you want to brighten your teeth without teeth whitening treatment? Are you looking for a way to treat crooked teeth without orthodontic treatment? Call Flower Mound Family Dentistry in Flower Mound, TX, for porcelain veneers at 972-848-8745. You may also schedule a dental appointment with us online.