Did you know that 61% of all Americans indicate that they wish they could improve the appearance of their teeth? While many procedures that improve the appearance of teeth are rather invasive, porcelain veneers are not. This is one reason why so many people seek out porcelain veneers. If you are considering getting them for yourself, there are a few things that you should know in advance.

1. You Don’t Have to Get Them for Your Whole Mouth

You don’t have to get veneers throughout your mouth, in fact we tend to do porcelain veneers in more anterior teeth and full coverage crowns in the posterior teeth. You can even limit having just one or two teeth if you would like.

2. Veneers Can’t Be Removed

You might have heard stories of veneers popping off, although rare it can happen. We bond our veneers in place versus traditional cement ensuring the veneer is strongly attached to the tooth. After bonding the veneer in place we do a thorough evaluation of your bite to ensure that you would not be biting down in a way that could pop the veneer off. We also recommend patients with extensive dental work wear a guard at night to help protect things.  With proper cleanings both at home and at the dentist it is possible for veneers to last more than 15-20 years.

3. Veneers Solve a Lot of Problems

Veneers are not just solutions for one issue. They help you deal with discolored teeth, chipped teeth, gaps, misalignments, and worn-down teeth.

4. Porcelain Is Stain Resistant

If you’re getting veneers to help treat discolored teeth, you may be worried about your veneers becoming discolored as well. Porcelain is a smooth ceramic material which makes it hard for stain to collect on the glossy surface of a veneer and is less likely to become discolored than natural teeth. Proper oral hygiene including brushing with an electric toothbrush, flossing, and regular dental check-ups are just some of the ways you can prevent stain on your teeth.

5. We Offer Two Types of Veneers

Depending on your esthetic and financial needs and wants we offer two types of veneers. Lab fabricated veneers are where you leave the office that day with temporary veneers in place allowing the dental lab to make custom veneers that will be delivered at a later date. The other option is chairside fabricated veneers which are done in one sitting with different layers of composite mimicking veneers.

6. They Can Be Damaged

Veneers are not entirely damage-resistant. They can chip or crack like natural teeth do, though they stand up to normal wear and tear.  After delivering the veneer(s) we do a thorough evaluation of your bite to ensure that you would not be biting down in a way that could pop the veneer off. We also recommend patients with extensive dental work wear a guard at night to help protect things.

7. Pick Your Color Carefully

We will work with you to best choose a shade that either matches your adjacent teeth or choose a shade that brightens your smile with our several different shade tabs you can choose from! Once the veneer is cemented, the shade cannot be changed. We always schedule shade checks with our lab technicians to make sure you are happy with what you are seeing before we cement.

8. They May Take Multiple Visits

The process of veneers can sometimes take several visits, especially if you are working on a front tooth. We work especially hard to match the lab fabricated veneer to your natural teeth so that it blends seamlessly.

Now that you have this information, the only step left to take is to call our Asheville office and schedule an appointment to begin your journey in porcelain veneers!