Enhance Your Smile With Veneers
At Brown & Baran Family Dentistry, our Seaford and Wilmington cosmetic dentists, Dr. Paul E. Brown and Dr. Christopher S. Baran, can create beautiful smiles using traditional or minimal-prep veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic shells that fit over the front of your teeth, instantly concealing any imperfections. Contact us today to learn more about porcelain veneers and schedule a consultation at our Seaford or Wilmington offices.
What Can Porcelain Veneers Conceal?
Porcelain veneers can help patients whose teeth are:
- Gapped: Veneers can be custom-made to close the spaces between your teeth.
- Misshapen: Veneers can elongate your teeth to create a symmetrical, balanced smile.
- Discolored or Stained: Veneers can be especially effective if your teeth don’t respond well to teeth whitening or have intrinsic stains.
- Fractured or Chipped: Since the porcelain shells cover the teeth, they can easily mask any fractures or chips.
- Slightly Crooked: Veneers can cover mild to moderate misalignment, making the teeth appear straight and uniform.
At your first appointment, Dr. Brown or Dr. Baran will use our intraoral camera to get a detailed look at the inside of your mouth. We can also display these images on a television screen so you can better understand your treatment options.
Who Is a Candidate?
You may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers if you:
- Have no cavities
- Have a properly aligned bite
- Don’t have periodontal (gum) disease, such as gingivitis
- Don’t suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding)
- You wear a nightguard to protect your teeth if you do suffer from bruxism
- Have enough tooth enamel to hold the veneers in place
- Are willing to properly maintain and care for your teeth after veneer placement
Types of Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
Traditional porcelain veneers are made of high-quality dental porcelain that mimics the natural appearance of teeth. If you choose traditional porcelain veneers, the process typically involves two to three visits to the dentist. During the initial consultation, Dr. Brown or Dr. Baran will evaluate the patient’s oral health and discuss the desired outcome.
If the patient is a good candidate for veneers, the dentist will take impressions of the teeth using our intraoral camera and prepare them by removing a small amount of enamel. This step is necessary to ensure the veneers fit snugly and look natural. We typically perform this part of the procedure under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. This 3D image will serve as the model the lab will use to craft your veneers.
Once the custom veneers are fabricated, a process that takes about two weeks, we’ll attach the veneers to your teeth with strong bonding cement and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit.
LUMINEERS
For patients who want to preserve their enamel or have sensitive teeth, LUMINEERS® may be a suitable option. LUMINEERS is a brand of ultra-thin porcelain veneers, approximately 0.2 millimeters thick, that require little to no tooth preparation. Since they’re so thin, they require less or no enamel removal, making them a less invasive option. At your initial consultation with Dr. Brown or Dr. Baran, they’ll discuss the benefits and disadvantages of both traditional porcelain veneers and LUMINEERS® to determine which option may be best for you.
It’s essential to note that LUMINEERS may not be suitable for everyone. Patients with dark tooth stains or significant cosmetic imperfections may not be good candidates for LUMINEERS®. Additionally, the thickness of the veneers may not provide the same level of customization and durability as traditional porcelain veneers.
The process of getting LUMINEERS typically involves only two visits to the dentist. During the first visit, the dentist will take impressions of the teeth and discuss the desired outcome with the patient. The impressions are then sent to a LUMINEERS lab, where the veneers are custom-made for the patient. In the final appointment, the dentist will place the LUMINEERS on the teeth using a special adhesive, without the need for tooth preparation.
Maintaining Porcelain Veneers
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your porcelain veneers look and function their best for many years to come. Here are some tips for maintaining your porcelain veneers:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles that can cause decay and discoloration.
- Avoid Chewing Hard or Sticky Foods: Porcelain veneers are durable, but they can chip or crack if exposed to excessive force. Avoid chewing on hard objects or sticky foods like ice, hard candy, or gum.
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, wear a mouthguard to protect your porcelain veneers from damage.
- Avoid Staining Substances: Certain foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can stain your veneers over time. Try to limit your intake of these substances, or rinse your mouth with water after consuming them.
- Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools: Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bottles, as this can damage your veneers and your natural teeth.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with your dentist to ensure that your veneers and natural teeth remain healthy and free from decay.
If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your veneers, don’t hesitate to contact one of our dentists for guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Receiving porcelain veneers is completely painless, as the procedure is non-invasive. To ensure you won’t feel any pain or discomfort, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic beforehand. While it’s normal to feel mild sensitivity after having your porcelain veneers placed, any discomfort usually fades within a few hours. You can manage any soreness with over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses in the meantime.
Porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash between meals. It’s also important to schedule biannual checkups with your dentist’s practice so that they can examine your veneers and inspect for any issues.
To help get the most out of your porcelain veneers, we recommend avoiding certain damaging habits, such as chewing on ice cubes or biting your fingernails. Your dentist will provide you with instructions on how to make sure you get the most out of your dental veneers.
If your porcelain veneers are damaged or fall out, we recommend keeping the affected area as clean as possible before contacting your dentist’s office. Don’t attempt to fix the dental veneer yourself, as this may lead to further damage. Your dentist will address the issue by examining your teeth’s health and having a replacement created.
Most dental insurance companies don’t cover porcelain veneers since they’re considered cosmetic procedure. We recommend contacting your insurance provider anyway to get an accurate understanding of your policy and benefits. During your initial consultation, your dentist will also provide you with an accurate cost estimate of your treatment and inform you of any in-office financing options.
Conceal Your Imperfections & Show Off Your Smile
A stunning smile can boost your confidence and improve your quality of life. If a dental injury or cosmetic imperfections are causing you to hide your smile in public, porcelain veneers can help you get back to living with confidence. Our cosmetic dentists, Drs. Brown and Baran, and our experienced team will make sure you’re able to achieve your dream smile.
Schedule a consultation today by calling our Wilmington office at (302) 231-3100 or our Seaford office at (302) 404-0700. You can also fill out our convenient contact form below. We proudly serve people who reside in Pike Creek, Marshallton, and Stanton, DE areas.
