Porcelain Veneers – Louisville, KY
Get a Dazzling Smile in Just Two Visits!
Cosmetic dentistry has made it easier for people with good oral health to make an everlasting and positive change to their smile. However, some issues are just too significant to fix with certain cosmetic treatments. If whitening treatment isn’t getting you the look you expected or you simply don’t want to undergo orthodontic treatment, porcelain veneers may be an effective solution! Dr. Kenneth Bell and Dr. Steven Kaebnick can get a set of veneers crafted to cover a myriad of dental issues all at the same time! Contact a dentist in Louisville today and get scheduled for your next smile makeover!
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are made from dental ceramic for a number of different reasons. Not only is ceramic biocompatible, but it’s actually more natural-looking than traditional composite resin, a material used for veneers in the past. Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin covers that are designed to adhere directly to teeth visible in your smile. The shape, size and color of your veneers are all custom-made to fit over your damaged teeth, so there’s no worry of whether it will effectively blend in or not. With proper maintenance, they can last anywhere between 10 and 15 years before needing replacement.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are ideal for those trying to hide multiple imperfections in their smile at a time. These issues include:
- Cracks
- Chips
- Permanent stains or discolorations
- Slightly rotated teeth
- Gaps
Unlike natural tooth enamel, porcelain is naturally smooth and stain-resistant. Tooth enamel carries many cracks, crevices and micro-scratches for richly pigmentated foods to seep into, which can easily stain them. Since porcelain is naturally smooth, they are less likely to become stained over time. They’re durable, so you don’t have to worry when eating your favorite foods. Just make sure to avoid using your teeth as a tool to prevent damaging them.
The Process for Porcelain Veneers
After your cosmetic consultation, our dentists will begin preparing your teeth for treatment. This involves buffing down a very small amount of tooth enamel so that the veneers can sit flush. After prepping, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them to an offsite dental lab for fabrication. This process takes about two weeks to complete, during which you’ll wear temporary veneers to help you get used to your new smile. At your second visit, we’ll place the veneers and make any modifications as necessary.
Cost of Porcelain Veneers
If you plan on getting a single veneer to cover an imperfection, your total cost for treatment will be substantially lower than someone who’s trying to cover all the visible teeth in their smile. The best way to determine the cost of your treatment is to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists.
Veneer FAQs
Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers don’t necessarily last forever, but they are meant to be a long-term solution to your cosmetic issues. Your veneers will generally stick around for well over a decade, and even longer if you take care of them well.
It’s also true that the enamel that’s been removed from your teeth will not come back. This means that if you even wind up losing your veneers, you’ll need to replace the veneer to continue protecting your tooth.
Do Veneers Give You a Lisp?
Any change to your teeth can cause a little bit of an issue with your speech, and veneers are no different. This isn’t likely to be permanent—it’s just an issue of needing to reacclimate to the new state of affairs in your mouth.
With a little bit of diligent practice, your tongue should readjust to your new teeth, and you’ll be speaking correctly again in no time at all.
Can Veneers Be Used for Bite Corrections?
Veneers are used often to deal with minor misalignment to the teeth but have a little bit of a harder time with overbites and underbites. This is because your veneers won’t make any real adjustments to your jaw and will therefore struggle to deal with these issues.
Veneers can occasionally be helpful if you have an open bite, as they can be used to make the top and bottom teeth touch. However, you’ll usually need orthodontic intervention to fully address your bite problems.
Can You Whiten Veneers?
Veneers are naturally imporous, which means that they’re unlikely to develop any kind of stains. However, the opposite is also true; whitening gel will not be able to penetrate into your veneers, which means that it’s not possible to brighten your teeth with professional whitening.
While it’ll take longer for your veneers to become discolored compared to your natural teeth, it can happen eventually. Should this happen, the only way to whiten your smile is to completely replace your veneers. For that reason, you should make it a priority to take good care of your veneers.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
During the research process, you’ve probably read that veneers are one of the longest-lasting cosmetic dentistry treatments. It’s true! In fact, one study by Beier and another study by Layton found that over 90% lasted for a decade.
Important reminder: Like your natural teeth, your veneers are not unbreakable. In order to keep them in pristine condition, you need to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine, like brushing for two full minutes each time and wearing a nightguard if you grind/clench your teeth at night.
Can Veneers Fix Crooked Teeth?
While veneers cannot move your teeth, they can conceal minor crookedness. So, if your teeth slightly overlap, this may be the solution you’ve been looking for! The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate is by scheduling a consultation at our Louisville office so we can get an in-depth understanding of your dental history, needs, and goals.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
With your temporary veneers, it’s important to eat only extremely soft foods, like plain yogurt and seedless fruit smoothies. Once your final ones are in place, you’ll be able to resume your usual diet. Just make sure to steer clear of extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, raw almonds, and croutons, since the pressure can cause your veneers to chip, crack, or come loose. It’s also a good idea to drink alcohol sparingly since it can weaken the bonding material.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
Yes! In fact, one of the many reasons veneers are so loved is because they are crafted from stain-resistant materials, like porcelain. As a result, you can enjoy your morning coffee without worrying too much. Just make sure to use a straw to prevent discoloration from surfacing on the teeth that aren’t covered with a veneer.
Do Veneers Feel Like Real Teeth?
Not only are veneers in Louisville custom-made for each patient, but they are crafted from only the best dental materials. As a result, they look and feel extremely lifelike!
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?
If you have an active infection in your gums or the tooth in question has a cavity, then you should not get veneers. The good news is that the necessary preliminary care can often be provided at our office. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us, even if you think you may not be a candidate right away. From there, we can determine the best way to give you a smile that’s both healthy and beautiful.