Do you have damaged or crooked teeth? Porcelain veneers are a popular option to correct a wide range of imperfections and give you a confident smile. Veneers can help with chipped, stained, and misaligned teeth to improve the appearance of your smile. Porcelain veneers are a long-lasting cosmetic dental treatment we offer in our Raleigh, NC, office.
Dental veneers offer a very conservative approach that requires little reduction of your natural tooth. We provide custom-made veneers, which are tooth-colored shells we cement to your teeth. Many patients choose veneers to immediately change how their teeth look.
The Benefits of Veneers
Benefits of porcelain veneers in our Raleigh, NC office include:
Natural Look
One of the best things about porcelain veneers is how natural they look. Lab techs carefully create veneers that match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth. Once placed, veneers blend in with your smile so well that most people won’t even know you have them. Veneers are also made from strong porcelain material that lasts.
Quick Treatment
Most patients only need two dental visits to get veneers. At the first visit, we prepare your teeth and make impressions. We also provide temporary veneers. At the second visit, we place your custom veneers. The entire process is simple and comfortable.
Changes Tooth Shape and Color
Porcelain veneers are great for changing the look of your teeth. They can make short, worn, or uneven teeth look longer and more even. Veneers also cover up deep stains that don’t go away with whitening treatments. Because porcelain resists stains, your smile stays brighter over time, even if you drink coffee, tea, or soda.
Porcelain Veneers Treatment in Raleigh, NC
We can provide veneers for patients in two appointments. First, we prepare the teeth for the veneers. We etch the enamel to ensure that the veneers adhere to the natural tooth structure. This preparation also ensures that the veneers don’t feel or look bulky.
After tooth preparation, we make an impression of the treated teeth. We send this impression to our lab, which creates thin veneers out of a tooth-colored porcelain ceramic material. At the next visit, we evaluate the veneers for fit and appearance. Our patients can achieve bright, straight smiles in no time.
Patient Review
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Read answers to commonly asked questions about porcelain veneers in Raleigh, NC, to learn more:
How do veneers compare to bonding?
Veneers and bonding are both ways to fix the look of your teeth, but they’re a little different. Tooth veneers fully cover the front of your teeth. This treatment can fix chipped, stained, or slightly crooked teeth. They last longer than bonding but require more tooth preparation.
Bonding uses a tooth-colored material called composite resin that is shaped and hardened directly on your tooth. It can fix small chips, cracks, and gaps. Bonding costs less and only takes one office visit. However, bonding doesn’t last as long and it can stain more easily.
How do porcelain veneers compare to composite?
Porcelain and composite veneers are both popular options for improving your smile, but they have some essential differences. Porcelain veneers look very natural and blend well with your teeth. They’re made from a strong, tooth-colored material that mimics the shine and translucency of real enamel. They’re more durable than composite veneers and can last 10 to 15 years or longer with good care.
Porcelain resists stains better than composite, so they stay brighter over time. While they’re more expensive, they provide high-quality materials and custom design.
Composite veneers can match the shade of natural teeth, but may not be as shiny or realistic as porcelain. They’re less durable than porcelain veneers and might chip or wear down faster. Typically, they last 5 to 7 years with care. While composite is more affordable, it can stain over time if you have coffee and tea or if you smoke.
How do you care for dental veneers?
After you get your veneers, stick to a soft diet and avoid hard or crunchy foods. We’ll also recommend that you avoid eating or drinking foods or beverages that stain teeth, like coffee, tea, and berries. You can brush your veneers like your natural teeth.
Brush gently and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t use toothpaste that contains abrasive ingredients, as these can damage natural teeth and veneers. If you participate in contact sports, we highly recommend investing in a custom mouthguard. A sports mouthguard can protect the veneers, teeth, and gums.
How long do dental veneers last?
Porcelain veneers are made from strong, high-quality materials and can last a long time with proper care. On average, veneers can last between 10 to 15 years. Some patients even keep their veneers for longer if they take good care of their teeth and visit the dentist regularly.
To help your veneers last as long as possible, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily to remove food and plaque. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that isn’t too abrasive, so you don’t damage the surface of your veneers.
Regular dental checkups are also key. Our dentist will check for any signs of damage or wear and clean around the veneers to keep your whole mouth healthy. You should also avoid chewing on hard items like ice, pens, or fingernails, as this can chip or crack your veneers. Try to limit foods and drinks that stain teeth, like coffee, tea, or red wine, even though porcelain resists stains better than natural teeth.
Is veneer treatment painful?
No, veneer treatment is not painful. While we remove a portion of enamel to prepare teeth, this does not affect the nerves within the tooth. We etch a thin layer off the enamel to ensure the veneers conform to the teeth. To make sure you stay comfortable, we may numb the treated area.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you want straighter teeth but don’t need braces? Do you want to whiten teeth without strips or gels? Call Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 919-295-0936.
You can also request a dental consultation with Dr. Cynthia Elderkin or Dr. Claudel Giggey on our website. If you have any questions about dental veneers, let Dr. Elderkin or Dr. Giggey know. Our dentists will be happy to help.