Porcelain veneers in Springfield
Veneers that reshape and brighten your smile.
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells bonded to the front of your teeth. They can change the shape and shade of your teeth and cover chips, stains, and gaps.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of your teeth to give them a new shape or shade. They are customized to match your smile and designed to look like natural teeth.
Some people need only one or two veneers, while others have veneers placed on all of their front teeth. Veneers can also cover and protect teeth with chips or cracks, so they can be restorative as well as cosmetic.
What veneers can help with
Veneers can help with chipped, cracked, or broken teeth; stained or discolored teeth; gaps between teeth; teeth that are misshapen or uneven in size; and teeth that are slightly crooked or unevenly spaced. They can also cover visible fillings, and they may help with a gummy smile by making teeth look longer.
Porcelain resists staining, so veneers can be a good option if you drink a lot of coffee or red wine.
Keep in mind that veneers cover imperfections rather than treat them. If you have a dental problem that needs treatment, your dentist may recommend other care.
Is a veneer right for you?
Ideally, your teeth are healthy and free of decay, your gums are healthy, and the teeth that will hold the veneers have healthy enamel. We usually do not recommend veneers for people with gum disease, teeth that are still growing in, or a habit of grinding or clenching, since these problems can cause veneers to fail.
Placing porcelain veneers usually means removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth to make room. This is a lifetime commitment, since teeth prepared this way will need veneers from then on. Thinner veneers may need little or no enamel removed, so ask your dentist whether that is an option for you.
Getting your veneers
It starts with a consultation and exam. You talk with your dentist about what you like and dislike about your smile, and together you plan how many veneers you need and how the results should look.
Your dentist then prepares your teeth and takes impressions. Depending on how your veneers are made, they may be milled in our office with CEREC or made by a dental lab. If they come from a lab, you may wear temporary veneers in the meantime, and the process may take two or three visits.
Once the shape and color are right, your dentist bonds the veneers permanently to your teeth. Your teeth may feel sensitive for a few days, but you can go back to eating and drinking normally once the veneers are bonded.
Is this right for me?
Porcelain veneers may be a good fit if you:
- Have chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Have stained or discolored teeth
- Have gaps or teeth that are misshapen or uneven in size
- Have slightly crooked or unevenly spaced teeth
- Have healthy teeth, gums, and enamel
- Do not grind or clench your teeth
What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
- A consultation and exam to plan how many veneers you need and how they should look.
- Usually, removing a small amount of enamel to make room for the veneers.
- Impressions of your teeth, with veneers milled in our office or made by a dental lab.
- Bonding, once the shape and color are right.
- Brushing and flossing as you would for natural teeth.
Questions we hear
Porcelain veneers FAQs
How long do porcelain veneers last?
It depends on your oral hygiene and habits. Veneers often last around ten years, and sometimes longer, before they need to be replaced. Brushing and flossing, avoiding tobacco, and not chewing on hard objects like ice or pen caps can help them last.
Do veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers resist stains, so coffee and red wine are not likely to discolor them. You still need to take good care of your teeth.
Does getting veneers hurt?
Getting veneers should not be painful. Your dentist uses anesthetic when there is a risk of discomfort, and your teeth may feel sensitive for a few days afterward.
Will veneers look fake?
Veneers are designed to look like natural teeth and are customized to match your smile. Your dentist works with you on the shape and color so the results look the way you want.
What should I do while I wait for my veneers?
If you have temporary veneers while your permanent ones are made, avoid hard and sticky foods, be careful with hot and cold foods, and brush and floss gently. If a temporary veneer comes off, contact our office right away.
Can a veneer come off?
Veneers are bonded permanently, but an injury to your face or teeth can knock one out. Avoid using your teeth in ways that could damage them, and call us if you notice any discomfort or trouble.
Ready when you are
Let’s make your next visit something to smile about.
New patients are welcome. Call us or send a request, and we will help you take the next comfortable step.
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