Porcelain Veneers 

Every mouth is different so the answer to this varies, but if the patient follows through with proper at-home care and regular dental cleanings, porcelain veneers can last over 30 years and continue to look good. This type of outcome depends on how well the veneers are done, which is why selecting the right dentist is so important. How long veneers last also depends on the material used to restore them. Porcelain is a type of ceramic that is extremely durable and chip-resistant, and on average, it is even stronger than natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is also extremely stain resistant, which means follow-up tooth-polishing appointments are not necessary. Composite veneers, on the other hand, may need a touch-up polish from time to time and don’t last as long.

What’s the dental veneer process like and how long does it take?

Oftentimes, clear aligners or clear braces are done prior to veneers to address crooked and crowded teeth issues that cannot be resolved with veneers alone. Professional tooth whitening is also commonly done, especially if we are not planning to veneer all teeth. Whitening first allows us to brighten all the teeth so we can select a bright but natural shade for the veneers so they can blend in with other teeth.

We can also combine veneers with other restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. For example, if you are missing one or more teeth, an implant or bridge may be necessary to fill in these large gaps in addition to veneers for your other teeth. Veneers are not suitable for every patient. If you grind your teeth, have severe tooth decay, or have any other oral health issues, you should discuss this with us so we can be sure to tailor your smile restoration to your unique needs.

Well done veneers should never look fake and should always be designed to blend in with the patient’s face to create a natural smile. Things that can contribute to teeth looking fake are their size, shape, and color. It requires a lot of expertise between the dentist and the dental ceramist to create natural-looking teeth with dental veneers. Sometimes, fake-looking teeth are the result of the patient requesting a certain color or size. It is important for the dentist and patient to be on the same page with the desired outcome. At Skyline Dental, we strive to enhance the appearance and esthetics of our patients through designing smiles that look authentic and natural.