Enjoy a Flawless Smile with Porcelain Veneers in Friendswood

How Do Veneers Work?

Each veneer is a thin shell made from high-quality dental-grade porcelain that fits over the front of your teeth. Veneers porcelain is used in several ways in dentistry—for instance, we also provide crowns and fillings made of porcelain. Porcelain is durable and creates the most natural and lifelike appearance, which is why it’s the perfect material for cosmetic treatments like veneers.

During the porcelain veneers procedure to place a traditional veneer, a very thin layer of your dental enamel will be buffed away to create room so that the veneer sits in alignment with the rest of your teeth. Lumineers®, a specific brand of veneers, are ultrathin and require very little, if any, removal of your natural enamel. If you are interested in learning more about Lumineers and finding out if they are right for you, call our office.

How Are Veneers Used?

Veneers can be used to address a range of common cosmetic issues that don’t impact the structure or health of your teeth. Some of the most common reasons people get porcelain veneers in Friendswood include:

• Chips and small cracks: Most small chips and cracks don’t extend past the enamel and therefore don’t pose a risk to the longevity or health of the tooth. However, they may be visible when you smile, leading to a change in the shape of the tooth or a discolored patch on the enamel. Concealing a chip with a veneer will restore the appearance of the tooth for a flawless smile.
• Discoloration: Teeth can become discolored for numerous reasons, including regular use of coffee or tea, tobacco products, and red wine. Over time, aging can also contribute to teeth that aren’t as white and sparkling as they once were. Veneers help restore your pearly whites for a healthy, more youthful appearance. Many of our patients who quit tobacco reward themselves with a cosmetic treatment like veneers to give their smile a fresh, new start.
• Size: Sometimes a tooth is unusually sized or shaped, causing it to stand out from your other teeth. A veneer can even out your teeth and give your smile a more uniform appearance.
• Alignment: Do you have a tooth that’s crooked or spaced differently? Small cosmetic alignment concerns can be treated with veneers to help you avoid years of unnecessary braces.

Do I Need Porcelain Veneers or a Crown?

Your dentist will provide the definitive answer to that question. However, understanding these clear distinctions will give you a better idea of what to expect when considering different types of porcelain teeth restorations.

For starters, while porcelain crowns can serve a cosmetic function, they are primarily used in restorative dentistry to protect or save a tooth that is severely damaged by injury or infection and might otherwise be lost. While a veneer can address a minor crack or chip that only affects the enamel, a crack that extends deeper into the structure of the tooth will likely need a crown instead.

Veneers are made to adhere to the front of your teeth. Crowns are designed to encase the entire tooth down to the gumline. This gives them the extra structure and support needed for their protective function.

While many crowns are made of porcelain—particularly crowns on teeth that are visible when you smile—crowns placed on teeth designed to do the brunt of the work of chewing are often made of stronger materials, like gold or stainless steel. Some crowns have a metal core with a porcelain overlay for better aesthetics.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The porcelain veneers cost can vary considerably depending on what type of veneer you’re getting, how many you’re getting, and how much prep work is involved. For instance, before placing a veneer, your teeth and gums need to be healthy, so we will treat any cavities or gum disease first to ensure greater success with your veneers.

Because they are a cosmetic treatment, veneers are not usually covered under insurance plans. We’ll review your costs with you when we create your care plan and discuss options to help make veneers affordable for you, including financing.

Schedule Your Consultation at Made Ya Smile Friendswood

We can’t wait to help you have the smile of your dreams. Call our dental office today to schedule your consultation for porcelain veneers in Friendswood and find out if veneers could be the secret behind your new stunning smile.