Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a type of cosmetic dental prosthesis. They are similar to dental crowns, as they are designed to cover up your existing tooth structure and restore the appearance of your smile. But unlike crowns, which cover up the entire chewing surface of your tooth, veneers only cover up the fronts of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are placed onto your natural teeth after they have been trimmed, and are bonded into place permanently with dental cement. They are very durable, stain-resistant, and strong.

Veneers are also extremely versatile and can be used to cover up a huge variety of cosmetic imperfections. With a set of veneers, you can completely restore your smile in just 2 appointments over a period of 2-3 weeks and feel great about your smile once again.

You may need veneers if you’re self-conscious about your smile due to multiple cosmetic imperfections. Veneers can be used to treat a wide variety of cosmetic flaws, including: gaps between your teeth, uneven teeth, misshapen teeth, slightly crooked teeth, chipped teeth, and stained & yellowed teeth. If you have one or more of the above issues, veneers may be the best option for you. Because they cover up your natural teeth, veneers can be used to restore your smile quickly, even if you have multiple cosmetic problems with your teeth.

To get veneers, you must have a healthy mouth and be free of any major oral health issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. You’ll need to come into our office for an appointment with Dr. Salman Khanani to confirm that you’re a good candidate for treatment. It’s also important to note that, while veneers are very versatile and useful for restoring cosmetic issues with your teeth, but they are not a restorative treatment. They should not be used to restore broken and damaged teeth, and they cannot be applied to teeth that have cavities. In addition, while veneers can be a good option if you have a few uneven or slightly-crooked teeth, they are not a substitute for orthodontic treatment. If you have major orthodontic issues, you may need to have treatment with braces or clear aligners before you can have veneers placed at Khanani Family Dental.

Generally, veneers last somewhere between 10-15 years, though it’s possible to preserve them for 20 years or longer if you maintain excellent oral hygiene and avoid harmful lifestyle habits like smoking.

Veneers last such a long time because the porcelain material used to create them is similar in strength and hardness to natural enamel. Unlike natural enamel, veneers are non-porous. Your natural enamel has small pores that can collect stains from coffee, tea, smoking, and other lifestyle habits. Because veneers lack pores, they won’t be stained, so your smile will look great for years to come.

Veneers do wear down over time and require replacement. Because some of your natural enamel must be removed to get veneers, you will eventually need to replace any veneers that are failing or damaged.

This is one of the reasons why it’s important to see Dr. Salman Khanani for six-month teeth cleanings and oral exams at Khanani Family Dental. At each preventive appointment, Dr. Khanani can check on your oral health and the condition of your veneers, and ensure that they’re in good shape.

The most important step you can take to care for veneers is to brush and floss regularly. Good at-home oral hygiene helps prevent the buildup of stains on your natural teeth, and also prevents common oral health problems like cavities and periodontal (gum) disease.

As mentioned, you should also see Dr. Khanani for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every 6 months. This lets him check on your natural teeth and your veneers to make sure you’re maintaining good oral hygiene habits.

There are a few other precautions you should take to avoid dislodging or damaging your veneers. Do not eat extremely hard foods (almonds, ice, popcorn, etc.) with your front teeth, avoid chewing on non-food objects like pens or pencils, and do not use your teeth to tear open bags, rip tape, or for other such purposes.

Getting veneers does not hurt. While your teeth are prepared by having a thin layer of enamel removed, this is not an invasive process and our team can ensure your comfort during the procedure. You won’t experience any pain during your appointment with Dr. Khanani.

However, some tooth sensitivity is common in the following weeks after your initial preparation appointment, while you wear your set of temporary resin veneers. This may persist for a little while after you get your permanent set of porcelain veneers.

This is totally normal, and nothing to be concerned about. Once you’ve adjusted to your new porcelain veneers, you should feel completely comfortable in your new smile. In fact, your teeth will be stronger than ever. If serious sensitivity or discomfort persists, you should contact us for a follow-up. Dr. Khanani may need to provide further treatment to diagnose and resolve the issue.