Our passion is giving our patients the best smiles of their lives.
For many patients who have been unhappy with their teeth, cosmetic dental veneers are often the answer they’ve been looking for.
What are Dental Veneers?
Created by layering thin sheaths of porcelain to completely cover the front of the tooth, veneers are effective at concealing many minor imperfections, such as cracks, chips, stains, or misalignment.
There are many types of veneers that are used in different circumstances:
- Traditional porcelain veneers are considered the Mercedes-Benz of veneers, because they can completely transform your teeth into the smile of your dreams. Because they often involve several layers of porcelain, they typically require some reduction of the underlying tooth so that the final result is not too bulky.
- Prepless and minimal-prep veneers, such as LUMINEERS®, are ideal for those who want to preserve as much of their tooth structure as possible. However, these ultra-thin veneers often aren’t able to completely cover more severe discoloration.
- Composite resin veneers can be placed in just one visit, but resin typically appears less natural than porcelain does.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain has many benefits when used in veneers, including:
- Beauty. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic dentist and a master ceramist, today’s porcelain can be blended and shaped to perfectly match your natural teeth – or to improve on their color and shape. The translucency and luster of porcelain also creates a completely natural-looking smile that no one will suspect is not your own.
- Stain-resistance. Because porcelain is non-porous, it will not absorb stains. However, the material used to bond the veneers to your teeth can stain, so it is best to avoid dark beverages and smoking.
- Durability. Not only is porcelain one of the strongest materials used in cosmetic dentistry, but also the bonding process used to adhere the veneers makes them a long-lasting dental restoration. Properly cared for, porcelain veneers can last as many as 10 or even 20 years.
- Time investment. Porcelain veneers typically can be placed in just two office visits.
Caring for Your Investment
As with everything worthwhile, you will want to take steps to properly care for your cosmetic dental veneers.
- Don’t chew on hard objects, such as ice, toothpicks, or hard candy.
- Don’t open packaging with your teeth.
- Do brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Do floss daily.
- Do visit your cosmetic dentist for regular cleanings and maintenance of your veneers.
If you’re looking for cosmetic dentists in the Houston area to help you design your new smile, give us a call today. We will review all of your options, from cosmetic dental veneers to Invisalign®, to whitening, and bleaching. We look forward to giving you a new smile!