Patients may opt to receive one veneer, a series of several veneers, or an entire smile makeover based on their unique needs, goals, and budget. During a consultation, Dr. Sands can evaluate your smile to develop a personalized plan for your veneers treatment. Patients who choose to have one veneer placed are typically those who desire to conceal a single tooth that is deeply discolored, misshapen, or damaged (chipped, cracked, etc.). In these instances, Dr. Sands is able to color-match the new veneer to the surrounding teeth for natural-looking results. For some patients, the best possible outcome may require that the surrounding teeth also receive veneers to make the most consistent and visually appealing results. Just as every patient is unique, each veneers treatment is unique—to learn about the best approach for enhancing your smile, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sands.

The longevity of your porcelain veneers procedure will depend upon the type of veneers that are used to enhance your smile. When extremely thin, minimal-prep or no-prep veneers are placed on the teeth, very little, if any, tooth enamel is removed to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. Because of the preparation that is done for these veneers, the procedure is often considered “reversible”—meaning that the porcelain veneers could potentially be removed later if desired. With traditional types of veneers, more of the healthy tooth material must be removed to complete the procedure. If a patient wants to remove their veneers in the future, this degree of preparation requires that they must be replaced by new veneers or another type of restoration to maintain adequate tooth protection, strength, and structure. The permanence or reversibility of your personalized veneers procedure is definitely an important topic to discuss with Dr. Sands during your appointment. Dr. Sands typically encourages patients to consider porcelain veneers to be a long-term commitment that yields long-term results.

Porcelain veneers are not typically covered by insurance because they are considered to be a purely cosmetic procedure. In some cases, when veneers are placed for both cosmetic and restorative purposes, insurance may offer some coverage. To find out if your insurance plan benefits apply to your veneers treatment plan, our experienced office team can check your coverage. If your plan offers any financial assistance, our team will be able to provide you with an estimate for your out-of-pocket costs.

Porcelain veneers that are properly placed generally do not affect the way someone speaks. It may take a couple of weeks to adjust to new veneers, but it should not change any speech patterns. After two to three weeks, most patients find that the veneers feel completely natural in the mouth and don’t even notice them while talking or eating.

Porcelain veneers are designed to be stain-resistant. Unlike natural teeth, veneers are made up of non-porous porcelain material that is not as susceptible to discoloration or staining. For this reason, most patients are able to enjoy their whiter smile for many years as long as they take excellent care of their teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. It may also be beneficial to avoid using tobacco products and consuming staining agents, such as coffee and red wine, that are known to cause tooth discoloration.

Over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening treatments will not lighten the shade of your porcelain veneers. Depending on your needs and aesthetic goals, your veneers will either be color-matched to your natural teeth or customized to your desired level of whiteness. We often recommend that patients who want their veneers whiter than their natural teeth to undergo teeth whitening treatments before the veneers process. This way, the porcelain veneers can blend in with the surrounding teeth. If you desire whiter veneers in the future, then you will most likely need to replace them with a new set.

For patients who desire a straighter smile, porcelain veneers can be an ideal solution for masking the appearance of mild to moderate misalignment, gaps, and overcrowding. Unlike braces, the veneers process does not require lengthy orthodontic treatment. That said, patients who have more severe teeth misalignment or bite problems may be better candidates for orthodontic solutions – such as Invisalign®.

High-quality porcelain veneers that are crafted from state-of-the-art ceramic materials are considered to be extremely durable and long-lasting. When porcelain veneers are properly cared for, protected from excessive bite forces (through the use of a nightguard), and placed on strong healthy teeth, they can remain undamaged and firmly bonded for decades. While there may be some variation in veneer strength based on the specific material and fabrication techniques used to create the veneer—as well as the veneer thickness and position of the treated tooth in the mouth—patients can trust Dr. Sands to design a customized treatment plan that maximizes the beauty, durability, and longevity of their new smile.

The porcelain veneers process typically takes place over three visits to Dr. Sands’ office. During the first visit, the smile is evaluated for health and aesthetics, candidacy for veneers is determined, and a customized smile design and treatment plan is created. Next, patients return to the office for the preparation of their teeth and the placement of temporary veneers (which remain in place until the permanent veneers are crafted in the dental laboratory). Finally, when the permanent veneers are received, the patient returns to the office to have the temporaries removed and the porcelain veneers bonded in place to complete the smile. Variations of this plan may be recommended for patients who require additional treatments prior to veneer placement to improve oral health.

There are many reasons that patients come to Dr. Sands to replace their veneers. Most often, individuals seek Dr. Sands’ expertise in upgrading their old veneers from another dentist. Various factors can contribute to a patient’s desire to replace veneers; some of these include:

Chipped, cracked, damaged, discolored, or detached veneers.
Aging, low-quality veneers that no longer provide optimal aesthetics.
Interest in exploring a new smile design using the most advanced planning techniques and high-quality veneers.
Unsatisfying veneer work performed by a less experienced dentist.
Upgrading from a single veneer or a small number of veneers to a full smile makeover.
Developing new dental problems or cosmetic issues, which present the opportunity to redo the entire smile with new veneers.
Having the financial stability to finally invest in the smile of one’s dreams.
If you are considering replacing your current veneers with new veneers, Dr. Sands is the ideal choice for ensuring a beautiful, satisfying smile.

Dr. Sands always includes your goals, priorities, and input in every stage of the smile design and porcelain veneers process. Before any treatment is completed, you will be able to review digital imagery of your new smile and give your approval. When your custom temporaries are placed, this will be your opportunity to “try out” your new smile—if there is anything you want to change about the way your smile looks, Dr. Sands can make adjustments to the design of your permanent veneers before they are crafted.

While patients do not need to undergo gum contouring (also known as a “gum lift) in order to have veneers, the procedure often provides extra aesthetic enhancement. When performed by an experienced dentist, a gum lift can reduce excess gum tissue and create a more harmonious balance between the gums and exposed teeth. If you are interested in incorporating gum contouring into your treatment plan, feel free to discuss this with Dr. Sands during your consultation.

Veneers should not have any bearing on the development of cavities or decay. In fact, as practicing good oral hygiene is the most important part of maintaining your veneers, taking care of your veneers can actually help prevent cavities. For this reason and many others, it is imperative that you brush, floss, and attend exams and cleanings regularly.

Although there is no specialized diet for porcelain veneers, we advise you to be wary of certain foods and drinks that may stain or damage your veneers. These include nuts, ice cubes, red wine, coffee, and berries. If you do choose to consume anything that is advised against, we urge you to do so in moderation and to avoid biting down too strongly on any hard, dense foods.

One of the biggest benefits of quality porcelain veneers is their ability to seamlessly match surrounding teeth. Dr. Sands uses the advanced Planmeca ProMax® 3D imaging technology to create veneers, and this innovative system allows patients to preview their results before the restorations are placed. Once the proper fit has been established, the veneers are tinted so they blend with the rest of your teeth and bring out your smile’s natural shine.

Additionally, if patients wish to have a brighter smile, they may benefit from undergoing Zoom!® teeth whitening prior to the placement of their veneers. After the whitening is complete, Dr. Sands can match the veneers to the beautiful new shade of your teeth.

One of the biggest benefits of quality porcelain veneers is their ability to seamlessly match surrounding teeth. Dr. Sands uses the advanced Planmeca ProMax® 3D imaging technology to create veneers, and this innovative system allows patients to preview their results before the restorations are placed. Once the proper fit has been established, the veneers are tinted so they blend with the rest of your teeth and bring out your smile’s natural shine.

Additionally, if patients wish to have a brighter smile, they may benefit from undergoing Zoom!® teeth whitening prior to the placement of their veneers. After the whitening is complete, Dr. Sands can match the veneers to the beautiful new shade of your teeth.

For more information regarding porcelain veneers, please contact our practice to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sands.