Porcelain Veneers

Teeth affected by cracks, misalignment, chips, discoloration, and other imperfections can be beautifully renewed with porcelain dental veneers. Created from thin, custom-designed porcelain shells, veneers are carefully placed on the front portion of your tooth with a strong dental cement. They are made to have a very natural shape and to seamlessly blend in with surrounding teeth. Our experienced San Diego cosmetic dentist, Dr. Jimmy Wu, can create your veneers right here at our office utilizing the advanced CEREC^® restoration technology.

• What Are Porcelain Veneers?
• Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
• Porcelain Veneers Candidates
• Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns
• Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers^®
• Porcelain Veneers Procedure
• Porcelain Veneers Procedure Length
• Porcelain Veneers Results
• Porcelain Veneers Maintenance
• Porcelain Veneers Safety
• Porcelain Veneers Alternatives
• Porcelain Veneers Aftercare
• Porcelain Veneers Cost
• Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are cosmetic restorations designed to improve the appearance of teeth affected by common aesthetic dental imperfections. The veneers themselves are very thin and composed of translucent porcelain. Customized for each patient’s individual needs and goals, porcelain veneers are delicately and precisely placed over the visible portion of the teeth for the most natural fit possible, and are color-tinted to provide a seamless blend with surrounding teeth. These treatments are popular and effective methods of addressing a variety of cosmetic dental concerns with results that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneer treatments offer patients a variety of benefits, including:

• They can easily conceal gaps, chips, cracks, and spaces between the teeth.
• Veneers can improve the appearance of short, misshapen, or discolored teeth.
• Composed of extremely durable material, porcelain veneers typically yield very long-lasting results.
• They are customized to fit the dimensions of your natural tooth for a precise, comfortable fit.
• Veneers are color-matched to surrounding teeth for the most natural appearance possible.

Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Most individuals who want to improve the appearance of their smile can be an ideal fit for porcelain veneers. Good candidates usually want to address the following aesthetic concerns:

• Yellow or discolored teeth
• Misalignment
• Misshapen or worn down teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Gaps between teeth

Generally speaking, candidates should have healthy teeth and sufficient tooth enamel to ensure that the porcelain veneers have a strong foundation. For this reason, Dr. Wu will thoroughly examine your dental health before recommending treatment. Patients who have severely damaged or badly decayed teeth may benefit more from receiving dental crowns rather than veneers.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Crowns

While porcelain veneers and dental crowns both offer a range of exceptional restorative benefits, they are two very different treatment options. One of the main distinctions between veneers and crowns involves each treatment’s basic purpose. Porcelain veneers are primarily designed to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the teeth, and they are made to cover only the front, most visible portion of the affected teeth. Dental crowns can also provide exemplary aesthetic improvement; however, they are geared more toward enhancing strength, protection, and functionality for teeth that have been heavily damaged by decay or injury. Instead of covering just part of the affected tooth, a crown will cover the entire tooth. Another difference between these two treatment options involves the amount of original tooth structure that needs modification before placement of the veneer or the crown. Porcelain veneers often require only a very small amount of enamel removal prior to placement, whereas dental crowns typically necessitate removal of decayed areas and more adjustments to the structure of the tooth in order to accommodate the restoration.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Lumineers^®

A Lumineer^® is a specific type of veneer that offers patients the ability to mask common dental imperfections with little or no need for modification of the original tooth structure before placement. Lumineers^® are designed to be even thinner than traditional porcelain veneers, and are customized for the best possible fit. With that in mind, Lumineers^® are not ideal for everyone, and more traditional porcelain veneers are typically the preferred veneer procedure here at our practice. Porcelain veneers can yield results that look very much like natural tooth enamel, and advances in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible to make these durable treatments more conservative. Dr. Wu can often provide an excellent fit for porcelain veneers with minimal alteration to the natural tooth. In some cases, modification of the natural tooth structure may not even be required at all.

What Is the Porcelain Veneers Process Like?

How Long Does It Take to Get Porcelain Veneers?

The average porcelain veneers process takes about one to two dental visits. First, the dental examination will be performed, followed by treatment planning, teeth preparation, and a digital dental impression fed into the CEREC^® milling system. The next step is veneer placement. If fewer veneers are needed, the whole process may take place throughout a single appointment. More veneers may require a second visit.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

One of the major benefits of porcelain veneers is the longevity of results. Our porcelain veneers are designed to be extremely durable, and the veneers are placed utilizing a very strong dental cement. With the proper care, porcelain veneers can last decades!

How Do I Keep My Porcelain Veneers in Good Condition?

Maintaining your porcelain veneers and keeping them in good condition can contribute to significantly long-lasting results. There are multiple ways, both at home and at our practice, to preserve your new porcelain veneers:

• Keep up with a regular oral hygiene routine, including daily flossing and brushing
• Continue with twice-a-year dental office visits, or more if recommended by your dentist
• If you clench or grind your teeth at night, a custom-designed nightguard can help prevent wear and damage to the veneers over time

Are Porcelain Veneers Safe?

The placement of porcelain veneers is typically considered a safe procedure when performed by a skilled cosmetic dentist like Dr. Wu. These treatments require delicacy, precision, high-quality materials, and the talented hand of an experienced dentist who has successfully performed dental veneer procedures many times.

At Sutra Dental Spa, we pride ourselves in providing patients with a safe and comfortable environment. In addition to prioritizing safety and sterilization for all of our procedures, our practice includes numerous amenities to maximize comfort during your visit.

Are There Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?

Depending on your specific concerns, there are other options available that can address issues like stains, misalignment, cracks, and/or gaps between teeth. If you are looking for ways to treat mild to moderate stains and discoloration, teeth whitening may be all that is necessary to help you achieve your goals. Patients who would like to address misalignment or gaps may be candidates for Invisalign^® to straighten their teeth. Cracked or damaged teeth can often be fixed with the help of cosmetic dental bonding. If your goal is to completely rejuvenate your smile, we offer a Smile Makeover that can combine multiple treatments to deliver ideal outcomes.

Do Porcelain Veneers Require Any Aftercare?

Porcelain veneers usually require no additional maintenance beyond routine brushing, flossing, and regular professional dental cleanings. While veneers are stain-resistant, it is still important to keep up with a strong oral hygiene routine and dental cleanings twice a year to preserve the appearance of your smile.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

Veneers can be a very valuable investment that lasts for decades. Typically, one porcelain veneer will range between $1,000 to $3,000. This average is based on the type of material used to craft the veneer, the experience level of the dentist, and the extent of your cosmetic concerns. The most accurate way to discover the cost of your porcelain veneers is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wu. After his evaluation, a member of our team can calculate a price estimate of your custom veneer treatment. Our practice accepts a variety of payment methods and we work with reputable financing companies that can help patients bring the cost of veneers into their budget.

Learn more about the cost of porcelain veneers.

Additional Porcelain Veneers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are more answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about porcelain veneers. If you would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Will the Veneers Be a Good Fit?

The veneers made at our practice are completely customized for your teeth. They will be created from an impression of your teeth and milled here at our office with CEREC^® milling technology. Dr. Wu combines his extensive experience in the field of cosmetic dentistry with state-of-the-art techniques to produce veneers that can give our patients an excellent, precise fit.

Will Porcelain Veneers Look Like Natural Teeth?

Yes! The ceramic material used to make porcelain veneers is meticulously molded, shaped, and color-matched to your surrounding teeth to provide the most natural appearance possible.

Can I Just Get One Porcelain Veneer or Will I Need a Whole Set?

Patients can receive one porcelain veneer to cover a single tooth or a set of veneers to cover multiple teeth. Dr. Wu will help each patient determine how many veneers can yield the best results.

Does the Porcelain Veneer Treatment Process Hurt?

Fortunately, Dr. Wu takes a very conservative approach to porcelain veneer treatments, so any discomfort during the process should be minimal. A local anesthetic will be used during the procedure to reduce the potential for pain, and we offer advanced sedation dentistry techniques for patients who have higher levels of concern or anxiety about dental treatment.

Will I Have Tooth Sensitivity After Porcelain Veneers Treatment?

Some sensitivity after receiving porcelain veneers is normal and typically subsides within a week following treatment. Using products designed to decrease dental sensitivity, such as Sensodyne^® toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash, usually helps with alleviating discomfort. We also recommend avoiding very hot or cold beverages and foods for a few days after treatment. Over-the-counter pain medication can address any further discomfort you may experience.

How Should I Care for My Veneers?

Veneers are affixed to only the front part of your teeth, as opposed to full coverage like that of a dental crown. Even so, they do not require any type of special maintenance other than regular brushing and flossing.

Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are typically not covered under most dental insurance plans because the treatment is usually considered cosmetic in nature. Fortunately, Sutra Dental Spa provides patients with numerous options when it comes to paying for treatment, including access to dental financing arrangements through CareCredit^®. We believe high-quality dental care should be available to everyone, and we will be happy to talk with you about ways to pay for your porcelain veneer treatment that are most suitable for your budgetary needs.

How strong are porcelain veneers?

The porcelain veneers at our practice are crafted from a durable ceramic material that is of exceptionally high quality. We strive to use some of the strongest materials available to ensure the veneers can last for many years with the proper care.

Do porcelain veneers stain?

Porcelain veneers do not—and cannot—stain. They are designed to be completely resistant to yellowing and other types of discoloration caused by the natural aging process, consumption of foods or beverages that contain staining agents, or other factors that can cause natural teeth to stain. Porcelain veneers should remain the exact same color years from now as they did when they were first placed on your teeth.

Can porcelain veneers be whitened?

Porcelain veneers are not affected by bleaching agents after they have initially been placed and color-matched to surrounding teeth; therefore, they cannot be whitened. With this in mind, our dentist typically advises patients to have a professional teeth whitening treatment prior to porcelain veneer treatment. This allows Dr. Wu to match the shade of the veneer to a whiter, healthier, and more refreshed-looking set of teeth. For individuals who had porcelain veneers placed a long time ago and would like to achieve a better color-blend with surrounding teeth that are now whiter than the veneers, Dr. Wu can create new porcelain veneers designed to more accurately match that color.

Are porcelain veneers reversible?

Since porcelain veneer procedures typically require at least a small amount of natural tooth material to be removed before placement, these treatments are considered irreversible. That said, most individuals find the results of porcelain veneers to be so exceptional that they do not need to have them removed later in life.

Why Should I Choose Sutra Dental Spa for My Porcelain Veneers?

If you are considering porcelain veneers, one of the most important things to look for in your search for a dentist is his or her level of experience and credentials with cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Wu has been in practice since 1999 and has completed more than 5,000 hours of continuing dental education. This demonstrates his commitment to staying abreast of the latest techniques in dentistry and his dedication to continually honing and perfecting his skills. Dr. Wu strives to combine his talents for artistry with his scientific experience to provide patients with effective treatment and results that look natural.

For more information regarding porcelain veneers, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wu, please contact Sutra Dental Spa.