Tag Archives: cosmetic dentist porcelain veneers

Should You Choose Ultra-thin or Traditional Veneers?

Porcelain veneers transform smiles. A skilled cosmetic dentist and ceramist can manipulate porcelain to mimic the color and translucence of natural teeth. Advanced dental technology has introduced ultra-thin veneers. Which type of veneers should you choose?

Should You Choose Ultra-thin or Traditional Veneers?

Whether you choose ultra-thin or traditional veneers depends on your case, the condition of your teeth, and your dentist’s recommendations. We explain some factors that may influence your and your dentist’s decision.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers

Traditional veneers have the following characteristics:

  • About .5 millimeter thick
  • Require preparation of your natural teeth so they fit correctly and will not look bulky
  • 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters of the front surface of a tooth is removed to prepare it for a veneer

Ultra-Thin Veneers

Ultra-thin veneers have the following characteristics:

  • About .3 millimeter thick
  • Can be bonded to your teeth without preparation
  • Cosmetic dentists strive to remove a minimal amount of a tooth’s front surface

What Do Ultra-thin and Traditional Veneers Have in Common?

Ultra-thin and traditional veneers have several things in common:

Teeth whitening application
Your cosmetic dentist can whiten your teeth before placing veneers
  • Custom-made in a dental lab
  • Match the characteristics of your natural teeth, so in the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, people will think your veneers are your natural teeth
  • Stain-resistant
  • Can last 15-20 years if you take diligent care of them and have them maintained by a trained cosmetic dentist

Which Should You Choose?

Schedule an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist. They can determine which type of veneers will give you the best results based on the condition of your teeth, the shape, position, and size of your teeth, and the results you want to achieve. You should not insist on either traditional or ultra-thin veneers. A cosmetic dentist will also preserve as much tooth structure as possible yet produce natural-looking results. The dentist will bond your veneers to ensure they look natural and are durable.

Many patients find it helpful to schedule at least two consultations before making decisions about porcelain veneers. Below are a few tips for scheduling your consultation:

  • Select experienced cosmetic dentists, preferably accredited, who have advanced, post-graduate training.
  • Look for a smile gallery on each dentist’s website and find photos of patients who received porcelain veneers.
  • Ask the dentist how many porcelain veneer cases they have completed.
  • Compare the recommendations, treatment plan, and costs of each dentist.
  • Look for patient reviews on the dentist’s work.

What Can You Expect?

After the consultation, if you are interested in porcelain veneers, you can expect the following:

  • An exam
  • Digital x-rays
  • A smile design that includes your preferences and considers your facial features to ensure natural-looking results

If you want a bright smile with porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist must whiten your natural teeth first. It will ensure that your veneers match the color of your teeth.

Miranda Lacy, DDS, a Plano, Texas, female dentist sponsors this post.

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

For the past two years, I’ve been talking with my dentist about the possibility of getting porcelain veneers. I finally decided to move forward with my plans, so I had a long discussion with my dentist last week. One of my questions was about how long veneers last and if they ever need to be replaced. My dentist said that I could plan on returning to the office every three to four months because veneers fall off, and she will bond them back on. She said if I am careful about not eating crunchy foods, my veneers should last longer. I researched online over the weekend and didn’t see anything about veneers consistently popping off unless the dentist did something wrong.

My dentist’s estimate of how long veneers last is making me nervous. I already have a little dental anxiety. Sometimes I need nitrous oxide, but if I return to her office every few months because veneers pop off, I’ll end up a nitrous junkie. How frequently do veneers pop off? Thanks, Audriana

Audriana,

Shame on your dentist for telling you to expect your new veneers to pop off every few months.

It seems that your dentist is speaking from experience, which can mean several things:

  • Your dentist uses cheap veneers
  • She prepares teeth so aggressively that veneers won’t stay on
  • Bonding techniques are not in your dentist’s skill set

The dental profession has a principle—the standard of care. Although cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty, porcelain veneers must stay on—even if they look bad.

How Often Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Photo of a single porcelain veneers, from affordable Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
True cosmetic dentists prepare teeth conservatively and bond porcelain veneers so well they don’t come off

Veneers should never fall off, and they should last at least ten years. Your dentist’s prediction about porcelain veneers’ longevity is a warning to find a cosmetic dentist who is skilled with veneers.

And you can eat whatever you want with veneers. But don’t use your veneers—or even your natural teeth—to bite pins, bottle caps, or other hard objects.

We encourage you to search online for cosmetic dentists, look at their patient reviews or smile gallery, and choose two dentists for a consultation. Ask about each dentist’s processes and how long you can expect your veneers to last. Get ready to switch to a new dentist for veneers. And you won’t have to worry about repeat appointments and needing sedation to get through them.

Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy sponsors this post.