At Bethesda Family Smiles, we love helping patients feel more confident with showing off their smiles. When you feel confident about your smile, you are more likely to take good care of it with proper oral hygiene and preventative care appointments.
Dr. Khanna and her compassionate dental care team are here to help you address your aesthetic concerns to help you feel more confident with your smile. We provide custom porcelain veneers as part of our menu of cosmetic dentistry services. Learn more about porcelain veneers below.
Porcelain Veneers in Bethesda, MD
Bethesda Family Smiles your local cosmetic dentistry in Bethesda, MD. We are committed to providing you with exceptional dental services that lead to a more beautiful and healthier version of your natural smile. If you are considering porcelain veneers for a complete smile makeover, we would be happy to provide you with a cosmetic consultation.
Porcelain veneers are thin slices of dental ceramic that cover the front and sides of your teeth. They can be color-matched to blend in with your natural smile, or they can be the shade of white you desire. They’re an ideal dental solution because they can take care of a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems. Since they cover the front-facing part of your tooth, they’re usually just used for cosmetic purposes.
The Porcelain Veneers Process
As with any of our treatment options, you’ll first have a consultation with Dr. Khanna. She’ll go over your budget, cosmetic issues, smile goals, and do a thorough oral exam. We want to be sure that porcelain veneers are the ideal solution for your unique dental needs. Porcelain veneers are considered a permanent restoration, which is always something to consider. Because some of your natural tooth structure needs to be removed, you’ll always need to have some sort of restoration on those teeth.
If it’s decided that porcelain veneers are the best choice for you, we’ll prepare your teeth for them. An amount of tooth structure is removed because we want the veneers to lay flush with the rest of your smile. Impressions will be taken so that the veneers can be custom-made in a dental lab. You’ll be fitted with a temporary restoration while these are being made.
When your veneers are done, you’ll come back into our office to be fitted with the final restoration. If there are any small tweaks or adjustments that need to be made, Dr. Khanna will make sure those are done. When you’re satisfied with the results they’ll be permanently bonded to your teeth. The material is designed to match the natural sheen and polish of the rest of your teeth, so they’ll blend in with your smile.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Do porcelain veneers hurt?
Porcelain veneers only require a small amount of enamel removal, which most patients are able to withstand without experiencing any pain or discomfort. The veneers are applied over the front-facing portion of your natural tooth, making this a minimally invasive and conservative procedure.
Will people be able to tell that I have veneers?
The only thing people will notice about your smile once the veneers are secured is that your smile has improved cosmetic aesthetics. Veneers are designed to look like your teeth but better. We will color match your veneers to your surrounding dental structures to ensure they blend in seamlessly.
How are veneers different from dental crowns?
Dental crowns replace the entire exterior of your natural tooth, while porcelain veneers only replace the front-facing portion. This is why dental crowns are used for restorative purposes while porcelain veneers are better suited to address primarily cosmetic concerns.
What can porcelain veneers help with?
Porcelain veneers can conceal just about any minor blemish you may have on your natural teeth. Bleach-resistant stains can be concealed using a veneer. Additionally, misshapen teeth, crooked teeth, and minor chips can also be concealed using porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers make your smile appear more uniform and symmetrical, making them a great solution for patients who want to achieve a total smile makeover.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
The lifespan of porcelain veneers can vary depending on how well you take care of them. Typically, veneers last around 10-15 years if they’re taken care of properly. Make sure you’re brushing and flossing regularly, as well as visiting the dentist bi-annually to make sure things are going well.
Do veneers get cavities?
No, you can’t get cavities in your veneers. However, your natural teeth are still under the veneers. Keeping up with oral hygiene is still as important as ever. The natural teeth below the veneers are still susceptible to tooth decay and other dental problems. Good oral care prevents problems developing that can impact the condition or longevity of your veneers.