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Unhappy with your smile? Porcelain veneers offer a simple, painless way to conceal those tooth flaws that are bugging you. These restorations are thin, tooth-shaped pieces of porcelain that are custom-made to fit over the surface of your teeth.
The experienced cosmetic dentists at The Dentists are proud to offer this advanced treatment to patients in Omaha and the surrounding areas, including Bellevue, Lincoln and more. To schedule your appointment, please call our helpful team at Hillsborough: 402-445-4647, Village Pointe: 402-505-7474, Ralston Square: 402-733-4441, or Dundee: 402-502-5593 today.
Why do I need porcelain veneers?
It’s not a question of “need” but more likely want. Porcelain veneers placed for patients at our four locations are cosmetic treatments of their teeth, meaning they are not being used to restore functional or health issues with the teeth. So, having veneers on your teeth is an elective decision.
That said, our patients who come to us for porcelain veneers want to dramatically improve the appearance of either one or two teeth or all of their visible teeth. You can see the list of cosmetic tooth issues listed above, and porcelain veneers can beautifully cover any or all of them.
So, whether you need porcelain veneers depends on if you want to dramatically upgrade the appearance of your smile, and most of us wouldn’t mind that!
What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?
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- Improved appearance of teeth: Porcelain veneers can be used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and gaps in the teeth. They give the appearance of a perfectly aligned and white smile.
- Durability: Veneers are made of strong porcelain material that can last for many years with proper care.
- Protection for teeth: Veneers can also provide an extra layer of protection for the natural tooth structure.
- Non-invasive procedure: Unlike dental crowns, veneers do not require extensive shaping or altering of the natural tooth structure. This makes it a more conservative option compared to other dental procedures.
- Quick results: The placement process for veneers is relatively quick and can often be completed in just one or two appointments.
Do Veneers Get Cavities?
No, veneers themselves do not get cavities because they are made of strong porcelain material. However, you need to maintain good oral hygiene habits and proper care for the surrounding natural tooth structure to prevent any decay or cavity development underneath the veneer itself. It is also possible for the edges of the veneer to become chipped or damaged over time, so avoid any behaviors that put excessive pressure on the teeth, such as biting nails or using them as tools. You should follow the care instructions recommended by the team at The Dentists and continue regular check-ups to look for any potential signs of problems.
Can I Get Veneers if I Grind My Teeth?
If you are considering restorations such as porcelain veneers, you will want to address any habits such as teeth grinding (or bruxism) before getting them. Veneers can chip or break if the teeth grinding and clenching continue after placement, so it is essential to find a solution for this issue first. This may involve wearing a night guard while sleeping or exploring stress management techniques. Once the teeth grinding has been addressed and resolved, you can consult with your dental team about whether veneers are a good option for improving the appearance of your smile. You will also want to continue proper care for the veneers and avoid any behaviors that put excessive pressure on them, such as biting on hard objects or using them as tools. Consult with our team at The Dentists about the best plan for maintaining your porcelain veneers.
Are There Any Alternatives to Dental Veneers?
Some alternatives to veneers include dental bonding, teeth whitening, and orthodontic treatment. The best option for improving the appearance of your smile will depend on your specific needs and concerns. Consulting with a trusted dentist at The Dentists can help determine the best course of action to achieving your desired results. Ultimately, you need to consider all options and weigh both the benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about which treatment is right for you.
Our team at The Dentists, serving the Omaha area, is here to guide you through this process and provide personalized care for achieving a healthy and beautiful smile!
Why do you use porcelain?
Some dentists use composite resin veneers, but at our four Omaha offices of The Dentists, we use only dental porcelain. Porcelain has high strength, hardness, glassiness, high durability, and a high resistance to staining. Also, the translucence of porcelain very closely resembles natural tooth enamel in the way it absorbs and reflects light. Bottom line? Porcelain makes a truly beautiful smile that is highly resistant to staining and very durable.
How do crowns compare with veneers?
Porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers both vastly improve the looks of the teeth to which they are applied. But they are different. Veneers are purely cosmetic. Applied to the fronts of the teeth, they change the look of the teeth, but do not affect function or strength. Some tooth enamel is removed when veneers are placed, but it is minor compared to a crown. With a crown, healthy tooth material is removed from all sides and the top of the tooth to create room for the crown to fit over the entire tooth down to the gum line.
The biggest difference is function. A crown is placed on a tooth in many cases when the health of the tooth is compromised. This can be a case of extensive decay, a large crack, or a cavity that is failing and needs to be enlarged. In these instances, the crown is saving the tooth from needing extraction. The cosmetic function is secondary. Crowns also serve as the anchors for bridges, placed atop the two healthy teeth on both sides of the missing teeth being spanned by the bridge.
Does it hurt to have porcelain veneers placed on your teeth?
The process of shaving off the enamel is the only part of the entire procedure that can be mildly sensitive, but most people don’t need anesthesia. Still, if you choose, a local anesthetic is available. The cementing process is painless. After placement, you will have some increased sensitivity to hot and cold due to the removal of the small portion of your enamel. This passes within a few days after your veneers are placed.
Can I preview having porcelain veneers on my teeth?
We can create a digital smile preview of your teeth. This won’t be a perfect likeness, but it will let you see how we can overcome the cosmetic flaws inherent in your smile. Also, we have photos of many satisfied Nebraskans with porcelain veneers who have allowed us to take before and after photos of their smiles to show to others.
Am I a candidate for porcelain veneers?
Porcelain Veneers conceal just about every type of cosmetic tooth problem:
- Stained teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Worn teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Undesirable tooth length and size
- Smile asymmetry
They are so versatile because they work through concealment – by covering the flaw underneath.
Let’s say you are unhappy with the presence of one or more of the problems above. You are most likely a good candidate. But there are a few other dental-related factors you will need to discuss with our dentists before they can determine if porcelain veneers will work for you.
A few factors to consider: Our dentists will want to make sure your teeth, gums and entire oral cavity are in good health before proceeding. If any gum disease, cavities or other problems are present, we will recommend treatment before porcelain veneers can be an option.
Another thing that will be considered is the alignment of your teeth. Veneers can make teeth appear straighter, but they do not actually straighten them. If your teeth are significantly misaligned, to the point your bite is badly affected, then orthodontics may be suggested as an alternative to porcelain veneers. The only way to know for sure is to have your teeth and bite examined by our dentists in Omaha.
What to Expect From The Veneers Process?
One of the great things about veneers is how quickly the process can be completed, particularly compared to orthodontic options or full mouth reconstruction. Generally, it takes two to three appointments to get your veneers placed.
During the first appointment, we shape and roughen the teeth. We then take impressions of your teeth to make models of your mouth. It’s on these models that we craft veneers to fit the prepared teeth.
At the second appointment, we clean and polish the prepared teeth. Then we use an adhesive to bond the veneers to the teeth and a high-intensity light to harden the adhesive. Once in place, veneers virtually become part of the teeth with an extremely strong bond. The final result: beautiful, natural-looking teeth that have the shape and color you’ve always desired.
How do I care for my new porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers don’t require any special cleaning or maintenance at home, just regular brushing and flossing. While you can eat basically whatever you like, you may want to avoid things such as candy apples or chewing on bones, as veneers can sometimes detach.
How long can I expect my porcelain veneers to last?
Your porcelain veneers can last from seven to 20 years. The lifespan can be dictated by changes with the underlying teeth or surrounding gum tissue. If a veneer happens to detach it can usually be re-bonded to the tooth.
You need to remember that having porcelain veneers is a lifetime arrangement, due to the need to remove the slight amount of enamel from your teeth to make room for the veneers. Because of this, once your veneers have reached their lifespan, you’ll need to have a new set of veneers applied.
What can I eat with veneers and what foods should I avoid?
There aren’t any limitations with what foods you can eat. It’s a good idea for the first day or so to go with mostly softer foods, just to be sure the dental cement has fully hardened and is good to go.
After that initial period, you can eat what you want, but you need to know that you can break or dislodge your veneers. They are put on with very strong dental cement, but they can occasionally come loose. You may want to avoid these foods with veneers, but it’s not a requirement by any means — ice, hard biscuits, hard candy, caramel apples, gnawing on bones, hard nuts, pumpkin seeds, and other really sticky foods.
Contact The Dentists Of Omaha For Porcelain veneers!
Ready to take the next step? Give our team a call at Hillsborough: 402-445-4647, Village Pointe: 402-505-7474, Ralston Square: 402-733-4441, or Dundee: 402-502-5593 today!
Porcelain veneers are a great way to start feeling confident about your smile. They can last 10 years or more because they stand up well to stains and breakage. There’s also no special care involved with porcelain veneers. All you must do is continue brushing and flossing.
We look forward to discussing your options and arranging your consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist. The Dentists serve patients in Omaha, Bellevue, Lincoln and nearby areas of Nebraska.