Porcelain veneers make flaws in your smile disappear. Thin and strong, porcelain veneers require minimal reshaping of your natural teeth without weakening them. Common dental flaws, such as chips, gaps, minor misalignments, and discoloration can be corrected. Porcelain veneers can provide long-term beauty and structural support that integrate harmoniously with your surrounding teeth.

What Can Porcelain Veneers Treat?

As porcelain closely mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel, porcelain veneers can be versatile in usage. They are commonly utilized to enhance many aspects of the tooth structure, including:

  • Shape: For teeth affected by cracks, chips, or fissures in the enamel, porcelain veneers are designed to restore the ideal proportions of a youthful and healthy tooth.
  • Size: Teeth that appear worn or short as a result of grinding, clenching, or natural corrosion over time can be renewed to a full form.
  • Color: Stained or discolored enamel can be hidden with porcelain veneers to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.
  • Symmetry: Bonded directly to the tooth structure, porcelain veneers can be an excellent way to mask minor misalignments and cover gaps between teeth for a seamless and even smile.

Before-and-After Photos


Who is a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Generally speaking, patients who seek long-lasting improvement of teeth affected by chips, cracks, fractures, discoloration, or wear can benefit from porcelain veneers. As there are many other restorative dentistry treatments that can address aesthetic flaws in the teeth, Dr. Huff and Dr. Cauble can assess your needs during a consultation and help you determine which solution is the most ideal for you.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Porcelain Crowns

While porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns offer benefits to both the form and function of a tooth, the two treatments differ in a few key ways. Essentially, veneers are used primarily for cosmetic purposes and can work well when there is minimal damage or decay to the tooth structure. Rather than rehabilitating a tooth, porcelain veneers cover only a portion of the enamel to mask minor dental flaws. In contrast, porcelain crowns encompass the entire tooth body and are utilized when a tooth is severely weakened, decayed, or otherwise compromised. A crown is designed to provide much needed structural reinforcement with the hope that treatment can prevent a tooth from extraction.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is another treatment that is often used to address minor aesthetic imperfections. However, unlike porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding uses layers of composite resin to restore the compromised area. While capable of repairing chips and cracks in the enamel, cosmetic bonding is mainly utilized for conservative fixes; it can stain more easily and be less durable than porcelain veneers.

What is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?

The process is usually completed in two office visits. Dr. Huff or Dr. Cauble will ask you about your goals for your smile during a consultation. During treatment, a small amount of enamel will be removed from the treated teeth to allow a natural shape and feel for your veneers. Next, the doctor will create a mold of your teeth and mouth and send this impression to an advanced dental lab so your veneer can be custom-crafted. While the veneer is fabricated, temporary veneers will be placed until your permanent veneers are ready. At your next appointment, the doctor will bond your custom-designed veneer to the treated tooth. At the end of the process, you will have renewed tooth structure that looks and feels like a natural part of your mouth.

After Porcelain Veneers Treatment

What is Recovery Like for Porcelain Veneers?

There is typically no recovery period associated with the porcelain veneers procedure. If you experience tooth sensitivity after treatment, this usually diminishes within a week or so after placement of your veneers.

How Do I Care for My Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers require no additional maintenance besides the daily brushing and flossing required to keep natural teeth in good condition. While porcelain can be incredibly long-lasting, take care to avoid excessive clenching, grinding, or pressure on your veneers to help prevent unnecessary damage and prolong their usefulness. We often recommend a custom nightguard after your veneers are in place to protect them at night.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

With good oral hygiene habits as well as routine dental check-ups and cleanings, porcelain veneers can last many decades without the need for retreatment.

To learn more about porcelain veneers, or to book an appointment with Dr. Cauble or Dr. Huff, please contact Shevlin Dental Center today.