Porcelain Veneers Explained

Dentist reviewing a panoramic dental X-ray on a screen while explaining treatment options to a seated patient in a modern exam room.

Understanding Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are made from very thin shells of ceramic material. These shells are designed to fit over the fronts of your teeth, covering them up and enhancing your appearance. In turn, this hides flaws like stains, uneven or misshapen teeth, and much more.

While they can be made from other materials like composite, porcelain is the ideal material for veneers. Porcelain is a ceramic material that can be matched to your existing teeth, is very strong and durable, and is completely stain-resistant.

At Washington Court House Dental, we offer expert veneer treatment in Washington Court House, OH. Our team uses the latest digital design techniques and works closely with each patient to create bright, beautiful, and lifelike smiles.

What cosmetic issues can be treated with porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are highly versatile and can be used to treat almost any cosmetic flaw in your smile. They are often used for:

  • Small, misshapen, or uneven teeth
  • Slightly crooked or crowded teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Minor tooth chips and wear
  • Teeth with deep or internal stains

However, it’s important to note that veneers are not a restorative procedure. They are not meant to cover up or repair severely damaged teeth. Your mouth also must be healthy and free of common issues like cavities and gum disease before you can get porcelain veneers.

The Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers

  • Completely natural look and feel – Porcelain is very similar to enamel in translucency, color, and overall appearance. This means that your new smile will look beautiful and natural, and it will function perfectly when you bite, chew, and speak.

  • Easy to maintain – Wondering how to keep your smile in great shape after you get veneers? You can treat them just like natural teeth. Brush twice a day, floss once per day, and make sure you see your dentist for a checkup every six months. That’s all there is to it!

  • Long lifespan – You can expect your new porcelain veneers to last between 10-20 years with proper care. This means that veneers last much longer than alternative cosmetic treatments like dental bonding.
  • Completely stain-resistant – Unlike natural enamel, porcelain is non-porous. This means that stains from coffee, tea, wine, and other common culprits cannot attach to your veneers. Your smile will look bright and brilliant for the years and decades to come.

  • Boost your confidence and love your smile – Finally and most importantly, veneers make you feel great about how you look. You’ll feel proud of your appearance whenever you smile for a photo, laugh with your friends, or speak in front of your colleagues. This helps your best self shine through, and can open up doors in both your personal and professional life.

Breaking Down The Porcelain Veneers Treatment Process

How long does it take to get veneers? The average treatment takes several appointments over a period of 2-4 weeks. Wondering what’s involved? Let’s get into the details and discuss what you can expect if you choose to get porcelain veneers from Washington Court House Dental.

Cosmetic consultation

First, you’ll come in for a visit with Dr. Pappas or one of the other dentists at Washington Court House Dental. Your dentist will perform an oral exam, discuss your cosmetic concerns with you, learn more about your lifestyle and personal preferences, and help you decide if porcelain veneers are right for your needs. Once you’re approved, you’ll need to schedule a separate visit to have your teeth prepared for veneers.

Veneer prep and digital imaging

Do veneers hurt? That’s a common question, since the veneer prep process involves removing a thin layer of enamel from your teeth. But the answer is “no.” Your dentist will start by cleaning and numbing your mouth to ensure your comfort. We even offer sedation options to keep you feeling more comfortable at Washington Court House Dental.

Once your mouth is numb, your dentist will remove some enamel from your teeth to make room for your veneers. Then, they will use a hand-held scanner to create a 3D image of your mouth. This will be used to make your permanent veneers.

Crafting your veneers

Once your scan is done, your dentist will attach a set of temporary veneers to your teeth. Then, you’ll be sent home. Using your scans and your input, your dentist will create the designs for your permanent set of veneers. These will be sent to a dental lab, where a technician will craft them from durable, tooth-like porcelain. This process takes 2-4 weeks.

Final veneer placement

When your final set of veneers arrives at our office, you’ll come in for your last visit to Washington Court House Dental. Your dentist will remove your temporaries, then clean up your teeth to prepare for final veneer placement. 

They will check the fit of each veneer, make any final adjustments, and bond each one in place permanently. Finally, your dentist will polish your veneers and your teeth to make sure they look absolutely perfect, and you’ll be sent home to enjoy your new smile!

What’s The Difference Between Veneers Vs. Crowns?

Crowns are similar to veneers, and are also typically made out of porcelain materials. But while veneers are meant to be a cosmetic treatment, crowns are typically used for restorative purposes.

Dental crowns are much thicker than veneers, which makes them stronger. And unlike veneers, which only cover up the fronts of your teeth, crowns are designed to cover up the entire tooth all the way down to your gums.

Crowns are usually only needed to repair damaged teeth. For example, a crown is a great option for treating a deep cavity, replacing an old, worn-out filling, or repairing a tooth after it’s been cracked or damaged by a dental injury.

However, crowns do have cosmetic benefits, too. Just like veneers, they look completely natural, so porcelain crowns can restore both the natural function and appearance of your teeth. Not sure if you need a veneer or a crown? The team at Washington Court House Dental can help you decide which treatment is right for your unique needs.

Comparing Teeth Bonding Vs. Veneers – What To Know

Porcelain veneers are not your only option for a brighter smile. At Washington Court House Dental, we also offer composite teeth bonding. This process is similar to getting a filling. However, instead of applying composite resin to a cavity, your dentist will use this tooth-like material to reshape your tooth, cover up stains, and enhance its overall appearance.

Dental bonding is highly effective, and it has a few unique benefits compared to porcelain veneers. Want to learn more? Here’s a quick breakdown of how dental bonding compares to veneers:

  • Treatment costs – Dental bonding is much less expensive than veneers on a per-tooth basis. If you are looking to enhance your smile on a budget, bonding may be a better choice.
  • Durability and lifespan – While it may be less expensive, dental bonding also does not last quite as long as porcelain veneers. Bonding usually lasts between 3-10 years, while porcelain veneers have an expected lifespan of 10-20 years. If you want a truly long-lasting cosmetic solution, veneers may be a better option for your needs.

  • Stain resistance – Veneers also have the edge when it comes to stain resistance. Porcelain is completely non-porous, so it will not be stained by coffee, tea, wine, and other common staining agents. In contrast, dental composite is quite stain-resistant, but can still become stained and discolored over time.

  • Reversibility – Unlike veneers, dental bonding does not typically require any enamel removal. This means that the procedure can be reversed in the future, which is not true of porcelain veneers. If you prefer the idea of a less invasive, reversible cosmetic procedure, bonding may be a better option.
  • Overall results – Veneers have a slight edge here. While dental composite is very lifelike, porcelain is even more similar to natural teeth in color, translucency, and overall appearance. Still, you can get spectacular results with both treatments!

So, are veneers worth it, or should you consider dental bonding instead? Only you and your dentist can answer that question. During your visit to Washington Court House Dental, your dentist will discuss your budget, personal preferences, cosmetic challenges, and other aspects of your smile to make sure you make the right decision.

Understanding Veneers Cost, Insurance, And Financing

So, how much are veneers? On average, porcelain veneers cost between $900 and $2500 per tooth in Ohio. However, there’s no way to provide an accurate estimate without more information about your cosmetic challenges, how many veneers you need, and a variety of other factors.

That’s where your visit to Washington Court House Dental comes in. When you meet with Dr. Pappas or one of our other dentists, they will provide you with a comprehensive cost breakdown once you’re approved for veneer treatment. We offer transparent pricing to make sure you understand exactly how much you’ll pay for your new smile.

We can also help you understand the dental insurance benefits that you’re entitled to. Since they are a cosmetic procedure, most plans will not cover the cost of veneers, but there are sometimes exceptions. 

Along with this, we offer financing options to qualifying patients through CareCredit. This lets you split the cost of your porcelain veneers into low, monthly installment payments. With CareCredit, you can stay on budget and still get the smile you’ve always wanted!

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers In Washington Court House, OH

If you’re self-conscious about your smile and would like to enhance your teeth with porcelain veneers, the dentists at Washington Court House Dental are here to help. Led by Dr. Michael Pappas, our dental team offers comprehensive smile makeovers in a welcoming, relaxing, patient-focused environment. Give us a call at (740) 333-7290 or contact us online to book your first visit, get a cosmetic consultation, and find out if veneers are right for your needs!

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