Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the front of your teeth after a little bit of prep work on the natural tooth. They change the size, shape, color, or look of your front teeth to give you a nicer smile. A cosmetic dentist, Dr. Jennifer Mohr offers porcelain veneers in Tucson, AZ, to address many issues. We provide veneers to fix:
- Chipped teeth
- Stained teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Slightly misaligned teeth
- Tooth gaps
- Worn teeth
- Black triangles
Mohr Smiles is a comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry that provides everything you need to keep your mouth healthy. Visit us for all your cosmetic and restorative dental needs.
Porcelain Veneers in Tucson, AZ
Porcelain veneers are thin custom shells of high-quality ceramic material. These shells go over the front of your teeth to give you a natural-looking and attractive way to fix dental problems. Veneers can enhance the color, shape, size, and length of your teeth.
Veneers provide many benefits. They offer:
- Natural-Looking Smile: Porcelain veneers are made from a special type of ceramic that closely resembles the look of natural teeth. They reflect light just like your real teeth. Veneers blend in seamlessly for a beautiful and natural smile.
- Stain Resistance: Veneers resist stains, unlike natural enamel that discolors over time. Porcelain is non-porous, so it’s hard for stains to penetrate and become embedded in the material. This can keep your smile bright and white for much longer.
- Long-Lasting Treatment: Porcelain veneers are durable. They can withstand normal biting pressure and is as strong as enamel. Porcelain veneers can last for many years with great care.
What to Expect During the Veneer Process
You can get veneers in just two visits to our dental office. Here are the stages of veneer treatment.
- Consultation and Examination: The first step in getting porcelain veneers is a consultation with Dr. Mohr. During this visit, she will examine your teeth and discuss your goals. She may take X-rays or make impressions of your teeth.
- Preparation of Teeth: Once you decide to proceed, Dr. Mohr will prepare your teeth. This involves removing a small amount of enamel from each tooth. This makes room for the veneers so they fit perfectly and look natural.
- Impression and Customization: After preparing your teeth, Dr. Mohr will take an impression of them. This impression is sent to a dental lab, where your custom veneers are made. It usually takes a few weeks for the lab to create your veneers. In the meantime, Dr. Mohr may place temporary veneers on your teeth.
- Placement and Bonding Process: When your custom veneers are ready, you will return to Dr. Mohr’s office to check the fit and color of the veneers. Once everything looks right, Dr. Mohr will clean your teeth and apply a bonding cement. She will then place the veneers on your teeth. A special light is will harden the cement to secure the veneers in place.
After the final visit, you will leave the office with perfectly working teeth that you can use immediately. You might have some light sensitivity for the first day or two, but it will go away as your enamel adjusts.
How to Take Care of Porcelain Veneers
After you get your new veneers, follow these steps to keep them bright and intact:
- Brush and Floss Every Day: Brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, but pay close attention around the veneers. Floss and brush more around the veneers than you normally would, but be gentile. Dr. Mohr recommends using non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the veneers.
- Schedule Follow-Up Appointments: Visit your dentist every 6 months for check-ups. Dr. Mohr will monitor your veneers during these visits. She will check for any issues and make sure your veneers are in good condition. She will also give you personalized advice about how you’re taking care of them.
- Avoid Bad Habits: Don’t bite into hard foods, ice, hard candies, or nuts. These can crack or chip your veneers if you use too much force. Don’t use your teeth as tools, bite your nails or open packages with your teeth. Also limit chewing on sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum, because they can pull at the edges of your veneers.
Paying close attention to how you brush, floss, and what you eat will ensure your new veneers last much longer than intended. The best part is that you don’t need any special products or tools to take good care of them.
What are alternatives to porcelain veneers?
If you’re considering ways to improve your smile but aren’t sure about porcelain veneers, there are several other options to explore. Dental bonding is one alternative that can enhance your teeth’s appearance at a lower cost than veneers. However, bonding isn’t as strong or long-lasting.
The composite material used in bonding can pick up stains from foods and drinks over time, unlike porcelain veneers which stay looking bright. While veneers might last 10-15 years with proper care, bonding typically needs replacement every 3-5 years.
Another option to consider are dental crowns, which work differently than veneers. Where veneers just cover the front of your tooth, crowns encase the entire tooth. This makes crowns the better choice when a tooth has significant damage or decay that needs full coverage. Veneers are mainly used for cosmetic improvements when the tooth structure is otherwise healthy.
There’s also a newer type called no-prep veneers that some patients prefer. These ultra-thin veneers don’t need as much work on your natural teeth as regular veneers do. They’re easier to remove if you change your mind later because they’re so thin and preserve more of your tooth structure.
However, this convenience comes with a trade-off. No-prep veneers generally don’t last as many years as the traditional thicker porcelain veneers. Your dentist can help you weigh these options to find the best solution for your specific needs and goals.
Patient Review
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Are Veneers Painful?
Getting veneers is usually not painful. During the process, our dentist might remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to make room for the veneers. She will use a numbing gel or local anesthetic, so you won’t feel much discomfort. After the procedure, your teeth may feel a little sensitive for a few days, but this usually goes away quickly.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers are permanent in the sense that you must be committed to wearing them over your teeth. Because we prepare your teeth for veneers, you must cover your teeth with veneers or another treatment. With the right care, tooth veneers can last 10 to 15 years or more.
Do Veneers Look Natural?
Yes, veneers can look very natural. They are custom-made to match the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth. Dentists carefully design veneers to blend in with the rest of your smile, so they look just like real teeth. The porcelain material also reflects light like natural enamel, making them hard to tell apart from your other teeth.
Can You Whiten Veneers?
No, veneers cannot be whitened like natural teeth. Veneers are made from porcelain or composite materials, which don’t respond to teeth whitening treatments. If your veneers look dull or stained, your dentist can professionally clean them to restore their shine.
If their color no longer matches your natural teeth, you might need to replace them to get the look you want. To keep your veneers bright, avoid habits that can cause stains, like drinking coffee or smoking.
Do Veneers Change the Way I Speak?
Veneers usually don’t change the way you speak. Most people adjust to them quickly, and their speech remains normal. However, if you’re getting many veneers or if they are thicker than expected, it might feel a little different at first. This is temporary, and once you get used to them, your speech should go back to normal.
Can Veneers Protect my Teeth from New Damage?
Veneers can help protect your teeth from further damage, but they are not as strong as crowns. They cover the front of your teeth and can prevent chips, cracks, or stains from getting worse. However, if you have serious damage or teeth grinding habits, a veneer might not provide enough protection. Our dentist might recommend a stronger solution like a crown or a night guard to help protect your teeth better.
Can I Get Veneers for Only One Tooth?
Yes, you can get veneers for just one tooth if you need it. Veneers are custom-made for each tooth, so they can fix a single chipped, stained, or uneven tooth. However, you might need to replace a single veneer sooner than ones done as a set since it’s exposed to more wear. For minor flaws, bonding might work better instead and cost less.
How Much are Veneers?
The cost of porcelain veneers varies on a case by case basis. How many veneers you need and how tricky your case is both affect the price. Dr. Mohr and our team will give you an estimate during your visit.
Insurance doesn’t always cover the cost of veneers because they’re an elective procedure. Check with your insurance company to confirm your coverage. Dr. Mohr’s office offers financing options to help make porcelain veneers more affordable. The team can discuss these options with you during your visit.
Schedule A Dental Exam Today
Do you want to improve your smile without Invisalign or teeth whitening? Get porcelain veneers in Tucson, AZ. Request an appointment with Dr. Mohr online or call 520-660-5666. If you have questions about cosmetic dental care, let us know at your next visit.