What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin sheaths of ceramic and other materials that your dentist places over your teeth to make them perfectly white and straight.

Porcelain veneers are the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, and the results are astounding. While people will notice that your smile is more stunning than ever, they won’t know you have porcelain veneers unless you tell them.

Cosmetic dentistry really can work wonders with even the most lackluster smile. You may need one porcelain veneer or several; here is what you can expect if you’re a great candidate for porcelain veneers:

  1. To prepare a tooth for a porcelain veneer, your cosmetic dentist will reshape the tooth’s surface. Your dentist may numb the area before removing what is needed from the tooth’s surface to place the porcelain veneer. Next, we will make a model of your tooth. Your dentist will place a temporary veneer on your tooth.
  1. In two to three weeks,  your temporary veneers will be removed, and the new beautifully crafted veneers will be cemented in place. During placement of the veneer, we will adjust and trim it as necessary to achieve a perfect fit. The veneer’s color may need to be customized according to your desired result. Our innovative dental technology allows this process to be done from start to finish right here at Barton Oaks Dental Group.
  1. The tooth receiving the veneer will be cleaned, polished, and etched. (Etching roughens the tooth’s surface, allowing a strong bond to form.) Dental cement is applied to the veneer, and then the veneer is secured to your tooth. When the porcelain veneer is in the optimal position, your dentist will shine a light beam on it to activate chemicals in the cement; the curing light (blue light) allows the cement to harden quickly.
  1. To prepare a tooth for a porcelain veneer, your cosmetic dentist will reshape the tooth’s surface. Your dentist may numb the area before removing what is needed from the tooth’s surface to place the porcelain veneer. Next, we will make a model (an impression) of your tooth. Your dentist will place a temporary veneer on your tooth.
  2. In two to three weeks,  your temporary veneers will be removed, and the new beautifully crafted veneers will be cemented in place. During placement of the veneer, we will adjust and trim it as necessary to achieve a perfect fit. The veneer’s color may need to be customized according to your desired result. Our innovative dental technology allows this process to be done from start to finish right here at Barton Oaks Dental Group.
  3. The tooth receiving the veneer will be cleaned, polished, and etched. (Etching roughens the tooth’s surface, allowing a strong bond to form.) Dental cement is applied to the veneer, and then the veneer is secured to your tooth. When the porcelain veneer is in the optimal position, your Austin porcelain veneer dentist will shine a light beam on it to activate chemicals in the cement; the curing light (blue light) allows the cement to harden quickly.

To ensure your porcelain veneers are perfect, you may have to return for a follow-up visit so we can check your gums and the stability of your bite and function.

What Problems Can Porcelain Veneers Fix?

Porcelain veneers are the perfect treatment option for several minor dental flaws:

  • Discolored teeth
  • Worn teeth
  • Chipped teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Uneven teeth
  • Irregularly shaped teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Worn teeth
  • Chipped teeth
  • Broken teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Uneven teeth
  • Irregularly shaped teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth

Porcelain Veneers in Austin, Texas

Do you want to learn more about porcelain veneers? Please call Barton Oaks Dental Group at (512) 327-6947, or complete our online contact form. Porcelain veneers are affordable, look beautiful, and are a quick fix to many minor dental flaws. If you’re not a great candidate for porcelain veneers, your dentist may suggest Bioclear®, which is a bit more affordable than veneers and can be done much more quickly.