What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can permanently whiten discolored teeth; hide worn, chipped, or broken teeth, and correct misaligned teeth. Porcelain veneers can also be used to close gaps between teeth, correct craters or bulges in irregularly shaped teeth. In addition to these cosmetic effects, porcelain veneers can help to reduce tooth sensitivity by providing an additional layer of porcelain between your sensitive tooth and hot or cold substances.

Porcelain veneers are created with a custom-fit, wafer-thin shell of sturdy porcelain that is bonded to the front of your existing tooth. When porcelain is properly placed and bonded to your tooth, porcelain veneers are durable and indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Are Porcelain Veneers for me?

If you have chipped, broken, uneven or misaligned teeth, porcelain veneers are cosmetic solutions that you may want to consider. Porcelain Veneers are very thin porcelain shells that are permanently attached to the front of your teeth. Porcelain Veneers instantly and drastically improve the appearance of your teeth by covering the front surface and restoring your teeth.

Are there different kinds of Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are available with and without “prep.” No-prep porcelain veneers are extremely thin and are placed on top of your existing tooth with no grinding. A traditional porcelain veneer is placed on top of your existing tooth that has first been prepared by reducing a minimal amount of your tooth enamel, around two tenths to one half of a millimeter, to help achieve a more natural looking result. With no-prep porcelain veneers, Dr. Woods will work with the existing shape of your teeth.  With traditional porcelain veneers, Dr. Woods has the freedom to alter the shape of your existing teeth to create a more dramatic improvement in your smile.

How were Porcelain  Veneers created?

Porcelain veneers were invented in California by Dr. Charles Pincus. Early porcelain veneers were held on with denture adhesive, which often fell off after a short period of time. Over the years, bonding technology improved greatly and now porcelain veneers are bonded to your teeth with a sturdy and safe permanent adhesive. On average, porcelain veneers can last anywhere from ten to thirty years before replacement may be required due to tooth grinding, wear, chipping, cracking, etc.

Veneers Before and After
Ten Porcelain Veneers were used to reshape teeth and make the smile larger and brighter.