What Are Porcelain Veneers?
If you are interested in achieving a straight, beautiful smile, but don’t want to invest the time necessary for orthodontics, then porcelain veneers may be an ideal option for you. Porcelain veneers are often referred to as “instant orthodontics” because they can provide the appearance of straight teeth in just a few visits to our Houston cosmetic dentistry office.
Porcelain veneers are an excellent way to improve the appearance of your smile. This cosmetic dentistry restoration consists of thin porcelain shells that get bonded to the front surface of your teeth. With the ability to treat multiple dental issues simultaneously and in a relatively short timeframe, it is no wonder why porcelain veneers remain such a popular cosmetic dental option.
Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers
There are many advantages to choosing porcelain veneers as part of your smile makeover:
- Dental porcelain mimics the translucency of natural tooth enamel, helping them blend in beautifully with neighboring teeth
- Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant
- Gum tissue tolerates dental porcelain very well
- Porcelain veneers deliver durable, long-lasting results
- You care for porcelain veneers just as you would care for your other teeth, making daily oral hygiene practices easy to maintain
Why Choose Dr. Fleschler
Dr. Heather Fleschler will customize your porcelain veneers procedure to achieve beautiful, natural looking results that blend in seamlessly with your smile. She pays careful attention to the shape of your face to ensure your new smile accentuates your other features. In addition, your porcelain veneers can be designed to match the shape, color, and size of neighboring teeth. The end result is a dazzling smile you can flash with pride.
Porcelain Veneers Before & After Photos
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers are designed for durability and stain resistance and tend to have longer lifespans when compared to other types of veneers.
The longevity of your veneers will depend on how you care for them once they are placed, including preventing damage to the veneers themselves and maintaining the health of the teeth underneath.
With proper dental care and upkeep, you can extend the lifespan of your porcelain veneers and can expect them to last anywhere from seven to 20 years. Eventually, you may notice chips or cracks develop on your veneers, and once they are damaged, they will need to be replaced.
What Is the Recovery and Aftercare for Porcelain Veneers?
Many patients find it takes a few weeks to adjust to their new veneers. Some patients experience tooth sensitivity, so we recommend using sensitive toothpaste and avoiding foods and beverages at extremely hot or cold temperatures.
We also recommend avoiding hard, crunchy, tough-to-eat foods, as they will add extra pressure to your veneers. Practice good oral hygiene and floss and brush every day to keep your new smile clean and healthy.
How Do I Maintain Porcelain Veneers?
Maintaining your porcelain veneers requires the same care you would follow to take care of your natural teeth.
To help your porcelain veneers last as long as possible, you need to practice proper hygiene habits, including daily brushing and flossing and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups twice a year.
To help protect the quality of your veneers, we recommend wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth or a regular mouthguard if you are playing high-contact sports—to avoid accidental breakage.
Additionally, you should be conscious of what you eat. This includes avoiding biting down on very hard substances and overconsuming foods and beverages that easily stain teeth, like coffee and wine.
Will Porcelain Veneers Ruin My Teeth?
No, porcelain veneers do not ruin your teeth. Proper installment and dental hygiene will ensure your natural teeth remain healthy beneath your veneers. However, it is important to realize that porcelain veneers are a lifetime commitment.
Although your teeth will remain healthy and undamaged by your veneers, the process required to place them makes porcelain veneers a permanent and irreversible investment in your smile.
How Do I Prepare for a Porcelain Veneer Procedure?
Before we can place your porcelain veneers, there are several steps we will take to prepare you and your teeth. To ensure your porcelain veneers look natural and not overly white compared to your natural smile, we may recommend a teeth whitening procedure to color match your porcelain veneers with your natural brightest shade.
We will then prepare your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel to ensure your veneers fit tightly to prevent any food or bacteria from wedging itself between the surface of your teeth and your veneer.
Finally, we will make an impression of your teeth to use as a mold for your porcelain veneers and place temporary veneers until your personalized veneers are ready to be affixed.
Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
If you would like to correct one or more of the following cosmetic issues, porcelain veneers may be an excellent option:
- Teeth with minor chips and cracks that do not threaten the integrity of the tooth
- A crowded smile that does not necessarily require functional treatment
- Crooked teeth that do not necessarily warrant braces or Invisalign
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are discolored beneath the enamel and cannot be treated with teeth whitening
- Irregularly sized or shaped teeth
- Teeth that have simply worn over time
In addition to seeking a solution for one of the above-mentioned issues, ideal candidates for porcelain veneers:
- Have healthy teeth
- Have realistic expectations for the outcome of their procedure
- Do not suffer from gum disease
- Do not grind their teeth
Diagnosis And Planning Your Porcelain Veneers Procedure
During your initial consultation, Dr. Fleschler will examine your teeth to make sure porcelain veneers are the right option to achieve your goals. She will then determine the appropriate number of veneers necessary to deliver the beautiful smile you desire.
If you are interested in correcting the appearance of chipped, cracked, misshapen, or gapped teeth, you may only need one or two veneers. However, if you would like to improve the appearance of crooked or discolored teeth, you may require a full set of porcelain veneers to cover all visible tooth surfaces.
During the planning phase, Dr. Fleschler will also take steps to ensure your porcelain veneers are color-matched to the shade of your natural teeth. She may recommend a teeth whitening procedure in conjunction with your porcelain veneers in order to ensure your new veneers are matched to the whitest possible shade of your natural teeth.
Porcelain Veneers Procedure Overview
At your next visit to our dental office, Dr. Fleschler will prepare your teeth to accommodate your new porcelain veneers. She will remove a small amount of enamel from the surface of your tooth. This allows your new veneer to form a tight fit on your tooth, preventing food particles and harmful bacteria from getting stuck underneath the veneer.
Dr. Fleschler will then take an impression of your teeth which will be sent to the lab and used in the construction of your porcelain veneers. Temporary veneers are placed on your teeth until the permanent ones return from the lab.
How is the Placement Procedure performed?
Once your porcelain veneers have been constructed by the lab, you will return to our office to have them bonded to your teeth. Dr. Fleschler will place your veneers on your teeth to make sure they fit properly and blend in seamlessly with your adjacent natural teeth. Once a proper fit and color match has been achieved, she will securely bond them to your teeth using a composite resin material.
After any necessary adjustments have been made, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful new smile.
Patient Testimonial
“Thank you to Dr. Fleschler, Genevieve, Lisa and Marcie for the kind, compassionate care!!”
– Laura L.
“Dr. Fleschler is an excellent, detail-oriented dentist! I’ve never had anyone better! She’s thorough and kind and never oversells her services. In addition, her staff: Lisa and Marcie, are amazing and friendly and extremely helpful. I recommend Dr. Fleschler to everyone/anyone!!!”
– Rabia L.
Source: Facebook
Receiving porcelain veneers is usually safe and has little to no issues. However, nothing is without risk, and porcelain veneers are no exception.
The risks of porcelain veneers include the following:
- Tooth Sensitivity - Some people who have porcelain veneers can experience tooth sensitivity, especially when it comes to hot and cold substances.
- Tooth Damage - In very rare cases, it is possible for a patient’s teeth to become damaged as they are being prepared for porcelain veneers.
- Irritated Gums - If your porcelain veneers are not properly placed in your mouth, they can irritate the gums, which can cause inflammation, discomfort, or gum recession.
- Fractured veneers - Porcelain veneers are designed to be durable and long-lasting. However, it is possible for them to become chipped, cracked, or fractured if subjected to trauma.
- Decay - Bacteria can accumulate along the edges of your veneers and increase your risk of tooth decay or gum disease. This can occur if your oral health is neglected.
- Mismatched Colors - Porcelain veneers are designed to match the color of your teeth. However, there can be variations in color and shades. This is common if you have multiple veneers placed.
Dr. Fleschler will discuss these risks in more detail during your appointment with her.
As with any type of cosmetic procedure, there are certain individuals who may not be good candidates for porcelain veneers.
You may not be a good candidate for porcelain veneers if you meet the following:
- You have severe tooth decay - Before porcelain veneers can be implemented, you need to have good oral health. Having severe tooth decay, gum disease, or another untreated dental issue can increase your risk of complications.
- You have insufficient tooth enamel - Porcelain veneers require a small portion of your natural tooth enamel. Any patient with thin enamel may not be a suitable candidate for the procedure.
- You have a habit of teeth grinding - People who grind their teeth, also known as bruxism, may not be good candidates for porcelain veneers. Grinding your teeth with veneers can lead to premature damage.
- You are currently pregnant - Dental procedures, such as getting porcelain veneers, are not recommended for pregnant women. This is because the treatment can potentially affect fetal health.
- You have unrealistic expectations - Patients who have unrealistic expectations are not good candidates for porcelain veneers. Although they can be beneficial, porcelain veneers cannot achieve perfection.
If you meet any of these criteria, you will have to wait until you are finished expanding your family and treating any dental issues before receiving porcelain veneers. Alternatively, Dr. Fleschler can also recommend safer options to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted.
In most cases, porcelain veneers are not covered by insurance. This is because they are considered to be a cosmetic procedure. However, there are some policies that may help cover the costs. Be sure to contact your insurance company to see what your policy covers before scheduling your appointment.
Schedule A Consultation
The skill and experience of your cosmetic dentist plays an important role in achieving beautiful results. Dr. Heather Fleschler has more than a decade of experience performing porcelain veneers procedures. She regularly trains at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), one of the top post-graduate cosmetic dentistry institutions in the country. This background, along with her commitment to highly personalized care, helps Dr. Fleschler achieve the exceptional results you deserve.
If you’re interested in learning more about porcelain veneers please contact us for a consultation at 713-660-6500 or fill out our contact us form below. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
