All About Porcelain Veneers

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What is a Porcelain Veneer?

A porcelain veneer is a thin layer of dental porcelain that covers the front of a less than perfect looking tooth. The porcelain layer is applied directly to the surface of the tooth, covering up any existing esthetic flaws. The veneer maintains a natural white color and shape so it blends well with your existing teeth. Porcelain veneers are made of a very thin porcelain material in a dental lab by a skilled cosmetic dental technician. We at Camarillo Smiles use the finest technicians in the world

A porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth.

What kind of cosmetic problems can Porcelain Veneers fix?

Porcelain veneers have allowed cosmetic dentists like us to radically transform the smile of patients that have proven cosmetic tooth concerns and are not happy with their current smile. We use porcelain veneers to solve all sorts of different problems.

Yellow or discolored teeth. The veneers cover up discoloration that tooth whitening was not able to remove. Patients love having beautiful white, natural looking teeth.

Crooked teeth. Porcelain veneers can correct bad alignments of teeth and give a patient that “perfect smile” look.

Chipped teeth. The porcelain veneers will help even out the way the edges of the tooth look and conceal any underlying chips.

Funky shaped teeth. Sometimes teeth are too short, too skinny, too gappy, too fan shaped or just too ugly. Tooth shape can be corrected with a veneer.

What is the process of getting a Porcelain Veneer?

The patient will make two trips to complete the process. The first trip involves preparing the teeth for the veneers. The first visit is the preparation procedure which usually, but not always, involves the removal of a portion of the tooth’s enamel. After resizing teeth to accept porcelain veneers, an impression or digital optical scan is taken. Temporary veneers are then made that will stay on the teeth until the permanent veneers are ready to be put on. When the patient arrives for their second appointment, we will try the veneers in and check to make sure all of the patient’s cosmetic concerns have been met. The veneer is then applied using a resin which is sensitive to light. We will apply a light to the resin to harden it. Once this is complete, your porcelain veneers will be secure and ready to show off to the world!

How many Porcelain Veneers should I get?

We are often asked, “How many veneers should I get?” The answer depends on what the cosmetic goals of the patient are. We have patients that have only done one porcelain veneer and we have other patients where we have done 20 porcelain veneers. Look in the mirror and smile, smile big. Which teeth are bugging you? Is it just the top ones, just the bottom ones? Do you see both the top and bottom teeth when you smile? How do you like the color of your teeth? How about the shape of the teeth and the edges? The best way to decide is to come in for a consultation and we can design your smile with you. Sometimes we need to incorporate whitening, recontouring, and/or gum treatment to get the best results. Let’s talk.

Frequently asked questions about Porcelain Veneers.

How long does a porcelain veneer last?
Porcelain veneers tend to last between 10 to 20 years on average. This depends on the amount of wear and tear that they are subjected to and also the oral hygiene habits of the individual. We have been making porcelain veneers since 1988 and we are fortunate enough to get to see our patients still enjoying the veneers that we made for them way back then.

Are there any alternatives to porcelain veneers?
Instead of porcelain, we can layer on resin bonding material. For covering the whole front of the tooth, this doesn’t hold up too well and will chip and stain within a couple years. If a tooth is quite broken down, a crown might be a decent option for the tooth.

When were porcelain veneers invented?
Early dental veneers were researched by Simonsen and Calamia in 1982. The research revealed that porcelain etched with hydrofluoric acid could be permanently applied to a tooth. Previously, the very first dental veneers were not permanent and were often used by actors to change the way their teeth looked while performing. Now, the porcelain veneers are bonded using a resin cement and are expected to last for many, many years.

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92 Palm Drive

Camarillo, CA 93010

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