Porcelain Veneers in
Austin, TX

Are veneers permanent? This is one of the most common questions we hear from our patients who are considering the procedure. Although individual results vary from patient to patient, veneers can last anywhere from 1-30 years depending on how well you care for them.

Anything that can happen to a natural tooth can happen to a tooth with a veneer, including chips, cracks, cavities and gum disease, depending on how well you care for them. To ensure your veneers last as long as possible, you should:

• Maintain good oral hygiene habits: Continue to brush at least twice a day and floss regularly. Veneers don’t require any special or additional care, but your daily oral hygiene routine has a definite impact on your satisfaction with your veneers. For example, gum disease will cause your gums to recede, exposing the edge of your veneers. Tooth decay has a similar effect.
• Avoid red wine, soda, tea, coffee and other staining agents: Porcelain veneers are remarkably stain resistant, so while these drinks won’t stain them, consuming too many staining liquids and foods could stain your remaining teeth, causing them to appear noticeably different than your veneers.
• Avoid grinding your teeth: Teeth grinding is never a good habit, but bruxism is particularly damaging to wearers of porcelain veneers. The pressure caused by teeth grinding can damage your veneers. Discuss any tooth grinding habits you may have with Dr. Loveless during your consultation. He may recommend wearing a bite guard at night while you sleep to minimize any unwanted pressure on your veneers.

Your porcelain veneers are only as strong as the teeth they are adhered to, and protecting your natural teeth is essential to ensuring the longevity of your veneers.

The dental veneers process usually takes two to three visits with Dr. Loveless to complete. During your initial consultation, Dr. Loveless will assess your oral condition and determine if you are a good candidate for dental veneers, or if another dental service is more appropriate for your situation.

Once you and Dr. Loveless have agreed to proceed with the dental veneer treatment, the following general steps will likely occur:

• Each tooth being covered with a veneer will be buffed.
• A thin layer of the tooth’s enamel will be removed to make room for the veneer
• An impression of the tooth will be made
• A veneer will be molded to fit snugly against the tooth
• The veneer will be bonded to the tooth

Your veneers will look, feel and function just like natural teeth. You will be able to interact confidently with others, knowing that your radiant smile is bright and welcoming.

Different cosmetic and functionality goals require different dental solutions to achieve optimum results. Because of this, Dr. Loveless may recommend dental veneers or crowns individually or as part of a complete smile makeover. During your consultation, Dr. Loveless will work to clearly understand your unique goals and explain all of your options in detail. He will then design an individualized treatment plan that best matches your needs, budget and lifestyle.

As discussed above, porcelain veneers are used to:

• Change the color, size and shape of your teeth
• Conceal fractured or chipped teeth
• Fill gaps between teeth

Porcelain crowns are caps made of durable porcelain materials that replicate the look and feel of your natural tooth. Crowns are placed completely over a damaged or weakened tooth to:

• Protect a weakened tooth from damage or decay
• Cover aesthetic flaws
• Support a dental bridge
• Complete a dental implant
• Support a tooth with a larger filling

Choosing between dental crowns and veneers really comes down to your goals. While both procedures are desirable and effective, the two treatments have different uses. Typically, veneers are used to improve color, size, shape and spacing issues. Crowns are usually recommended in cases where there is less tooth structure due to decay, or where a tooth has had a root canal.

Lumineers are a brand of dental veneers used to correct cosmetic tooth flaws. They are thinner than other types of veneers. While Lumineers differ from traditional veneers in terms of materials and thickness, they are similar to porcelain veneers insofar as they can also make teeth appear:

• Whiter
• Evenly shaped
• Straighter
• Not gapped
• Not worn
• Not chipped or cracked

If you are seeking a dazzling, celebrity-quality smile, Lumineers may be an ideal option for you. Lumineers offer a number of advantages over traditional dental veneers. Dr. Loveless will help you determine which dental solution is best suited to achieve your individual goals.

There are a number of different factors and options related to your specific veneers treatment. You may need to correct a single damaged tooth or mask an entire row of discolored or crooked teeth. You may choose traditional porcelain veneers or Lumineers.

Because of the considerable number of variances, the cost of veneers is unique to each patient. During your free consultation, Dr. Loveless will assess your specific situation and provide an estimate based on your individualized treatment plan.