Common Questions About Porcelain Veneers

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain designed to fit over your existing teeth. The translucent ceramic that porcelain veneers are made from closely resembles tooth enamel, making them look natural and difficult to distinguish from your surrounding teeth.

What do porcelain veneers correct?

While dental veneers cannot replace missing or broken teeth, they can effectively correct the appearance of:

• Damaged teeth
• Small teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Gaps in your smile
• Permanently discolored teeth

If you do have missing or broken teeth that you would like repaired, dental crowns are available to treat these problems.

What is the difference between a porcelain veneer and a dental crown?

Dental crowns cover and encase the entire tooth, while a porcelain veneer strictly covers the front side of the tooth that shows when a person smiles. Dental crowns and porcelain veneers are also different because of their relative thickness. A typical veneer will measure around 1 millimeter or less in thickness, while a dental crown usually measures 2 millimeters or more.

Because porcelain veneers cover less of the tooth’s surface area, they also require less re-shaping of the tooth than a dental crown, which means more of your natural tooth structure is saved.

Are there any risks involved with porcelain veneers?

Whenever enamel is removed from the surface of a tooth, tooth sensitivity can occur for a short period of time afterward. This tends to be the only complication with porcelain veneers, and most of the time the issue is minimized, since Dr. Tomlo strives to refine the tooth as little as possible before applying porcelain veneers. Some types of porcelain veneers, such as Lumineers®, only require tooth preparation in rare cases.

Otherwise, the only other risk inherent in having porcelain veneers placed is the same risk you have with your natural teeth: like natural enamel, porcelain veneers can chip or crack over time, requiring replacement. Usually, veneers last around ten years before they need to be replaced – but in some cases, porcelain veneers never need replacement. We design and place all of our veneers with the hope that they will last a lifetime.

How should I care for my porcelain veneers?

Caring for your porcelain veneers is similar to caring for your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing will help keep both your natural teeth and your porcelain veneers beautiful. Check with Dr. Tomlo to make sure you are using a toothbrush and toothpaste that is not too abrasive for your porcelain veneers.

Certain habits, such as nail biting or chewing on hard candy, should also be discouraged, as they can cause veneers to wear down or chip, just like a natural tooth structure. Regular check-ups with your dentist will ensure that any cavities that develop underneath the veneers are treated quickly.

If you are considering porcelain veneers to correct your smile, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentistry team at Dr. Thomas F. Tomlo, DDS, PLLC today to schedule a personal consultation. Our office serves the Hendersonville and Asheville areas of North Carolina, as well as the Spartanburg and Greenville areas of South Carolina.