Porcelain Veneers

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Porcelain Veneers in Houston

The porcelain veneers procedure is one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry solutions. The Fawcett Center for Dentistry has helped numerous patients achieve their dream smile through this method of aesthetic enhancement. Porcelain veneers can be a highly beneficial solution for those wishing to correct minor imperfections or improve the appearance of their smile. Our experienced cosmetic dentist in Houston, Wayde Fawcett, DDS, provides natural-looking, custom-designed veneers for patients who prove to be good candidates for the procedure.

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What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic material and are custom-designed and crafted in a dental lab. These translucent and extremely natural-looking restorations are bonded to the front surface of a tooth to help correct or improve smile imperfections. Dental veneers are categorized as a cosmetic dentistry treatment and have helped many individuals dramatically improve the appearance of their smile.

Porcelain dental veneers can create teeth that are beautifully shaped, aligned, and white. They are used to close gaps between teeth or to restore and protect teeth that are worn, chipped, or uneven. Porcelain dental veneers are also great for whitening teeth that have permanent stains, or teeth that have darkened naturally with age.

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Am I a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Regardless of what caused the unattractive or imperfect teeth, porcelain veneers can solve most cosmetic dental issues. During your initial consultation, Dr. Fawcett will evaluate your teeth and talk with you about your options. If you are an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers, he will create a customized treatment plan designed to address your concerns and renew your smile.

Candidates for Porcelain Veneers Typically Are Affected By:

Worn down enamel

Crooked, crowded, or uneven teeth

Old silver (amalgam) fillings

Cracked or chipped teeth

Aged or dull teeth

Stained or discolored teeth

Excessive or uneven gums

Genetic factors that cause an aesthetic or functional issue with the teeth

Dark buckle corners – dark, cavernous spaces seen in the back corners of the mouth when a person smiles

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What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Dental Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can correct several types of tooth imperfections, whether it is the tooth’s integrity that is being compromised or simply the aesthetics. The thin, durable shells are designed to address a variety of concerns. The potential benefits of porcelain veneers include:

Can improve the FUNCTION of teeth to correct problems such as chewing, occlusion (bite), and joint dysfunction (TMJ Disorder)

Gives a more youthful, healthier smile – patients can look 10-15 years younger

Aesthetically pleasing appearance

Protects the tooth surface

Porcelain veneers are so thin, only a minimal amount of natural tooth must be altered to fit the veneer

Veneers can be shade-matched to make even the darkest teeth appear to be whiter and brighter

Veneers are relatively strong and durable

Veneers can last 10 to 15 years if properly maintained

Porcelain veneers have a natural tooth-like appearance

Stain resistant – custom-made veneers resist stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and cigarettes due to the advanced, high-tech materials used in making them

Each veneer is individually designed and sculpted tooth by tooth for each patient

What Does the Porcelain Veneers Procedure Involve?

The porcelain veneers procedure begins with the preparation of the affected tooth so it will properly accommodate the veneer. Some removal of the original tooth structure will likely be required to provide the best fit, function, and appearance; however, Dr. Fawcett takes a very conservative approach and strives to provide as minimal alteration to the tooth as possible. Next, a dental impression of the teeth will be performed. The impression will serve as a precise blueprint for the design of your veneer. Once the veneer is manufactured, it will be delicately placed on the tooth with a strong dental cement and adjusted to create the best possible functional and aesthetic results. The veneer is color-matched to surrounding teeth for a seamless blend. Once the veneer is given a final polish, the procedure is complete.

Patient chooses a shade of dental veneer

“Dr. Fawcett and his team are the best! They are extraordinarily “people” focused. Dr. Fawcett is always on the cutting edge of technology. I appreciate their care and attention to details!”

~ Miriam

How Do I Care for My Veneers?

Although our porcelain veneers are relatively strong and durable, care must be taken to not damage or break the thin porcelain shells. If you tend to grind your teeth, the doctor may recommend a protective guard to be worn while you sleep.

Veneers provide more strength when crushing an object than twisting or tearing. Therefore, just as with natural teeth, patients with veneers should avoid opening nut shells, chewing on bones, ice cubes, or anything else that may cause chipping or cracking to occur.

Good oral hygiene will ensure your veneers stay strong and your gums stay healthy and provide you with a long-lasting, attractive smile. It is important to brush and floss regularly.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers are known to be a long-lasting cosmetic solution. They are made with a porcelain material and are attached to the front of your teeth to last for several years if not decades!

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

Porcelain veneers procedures are customized for each patient; therefore, the price of the veneers treatment will not be the same for everyone. On average, the cost of porcelain veneers typically falls in the $1,000 to $3,000 range. With that in mind, numerous factors are taken into account that will affect the final total. These include the type and number of veneers being fabricated and placed, the required amount of preparation and alteration to the original tooth structure, and other associated expenses. Once your customized porcelain veneers treatment plan is developed at the initial consultation, a member of our friendly dental team will calculate an estimate of the total cost—which will include all aspects of the procedure—and answer any questions you may have. Our practice accepts an array of convenient payment methods, and we work with reputable companies such as CareCredit^® and Wells Fargo Health Advantage^®. These agencies offer affordable dental financing plans for eligible applicants who would like to pay for their treatment every month.

It is important to remember that dental rehabilitation is a complex process involving the skills and expertise of science and artistry and that the fees charged reflect the technical and artistic skills of the dentist performing the procedure; the type of material being used; and the technical skills of the ceramist making the veneers.

Dental veneers are a beautiful, natural-looking solution on their own, or as part of a Smile Makeover or Full Mouth Rehabilitation. Veneers can be expensive; however, people are usually more than happy with their results and feel that the benefits far outweigh the cost.

What Are Some of the Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?

While porcelain veneers are often the best choice for specific dental concerns, there are alternative treatments available that may also be of benefit. Cosmetic dental bonding is an option in some cases for patients who have teeth affected by chips and cracks. This treatment utilizes a strong composite resin to repair the tooth and improve its shape and appearance. The results typically do not last as long as a porcelain veneer; however, dental bonding has many advantages and can provide long-lasting outcomes with the proper care. For patients who would like to address yellowing and other forms of mild to moderate discoloration, teeth whitening may be able to successfully improve these issues. We offer both ZOOM^® teeth whitening procedures and the innovative KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System to enhance the appearance of teeth affected by deep stains. In some cases, a porcelain crown instead of a veneer may be the better choice. Crowns cover the entire tooth and are often the best option for teeth that are heavily damaged or decayed. They are custom-designed to provide excellent structural support, enhanced function, and an improved appearance.

Once you are evaluated during the initial consultation, Dr. Fawcett can talk with you about porcelain veneers or other options that may be suitable for your needs and goals. Dr. Fawcett has many years of clinical training and hands-on experience and has been recognized for having the necessary skills to improve people’s smiles and impact their lives in a way many have only dreamed about!

What Are the Different Types of Porcelain Veneers?

There are two primary types of veneers that can be used to augment your smile for the better: composite resin and porcelain. Both options can be durable and long lasting, but have their distinct differences too. Composite resin veneers are made of composite materials and are generally more affordable than porcelain veneers. While cheaper, composite veneers are still an efficient and suitable option for your smile. The other popular choice for veneers is made from porcelain. Generally more durable, offering more upside in functionality, porcelain veneers are often seen as the ideal choice for those looking to improve their smile for a variety of reasons. Our team will be able to help you choose between the two offerings at your initial consultation.

cheerful woman with glasses posing with her hands under her face showing her smile

What Are the Risks of Porcelain Veneers?

While porcelain veneers are generally considered a safe treatment with minimal side effects, there are potential risks that patients should be aware of. Most often occurring with less experienced dentists, these potential side effects can include tooth sensitivity, an unbalanced bite or other bite irregularities, results that look unnatural, and veneers that fail or break. Dr. Fawcett will go over the full list of risks for porcelain veneers during your initial consultation where he can also answer any of your questions you have about the treatment.

Why Choose Dr. Fawcett for Porcelain Veneers?

Dr. Fawcett has much experience providing porcelain veneers for patients who want to address misalignment, gaps, uneven teeth, and other concerns within their smile. He is an extensively trained and well-educated cosmetic dentist and has been practicing in the dental field since 1984 in his hometown of Houston, TX. He cares about his community and prides himself in providing the absolute best care for his patients. As a highly experienced cosmetic dentist, he emphasizes his attention to detail, his connections with patients, and providing a relaxed and comfortable environment for everyone who visits the office.

Additional Porcelain Veneers FAQs

A: In many cases, insurance companies consider porcelain veneers to be purely cosmetic restorations and are therefore not covered by most plans. When veneers are used for restorative and cosmetic purposes, your insurance may provide some coverage. To give you an accurate answer to this important question, our friendly office team is happy to check your benefits regarding porcelain veneers. If you do have coverage for veneers, our team can provide you with an estimate for your out-of-pocket costs.

A: When porcelain veneers are crafted from high-quality ceramic material using state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, they can be very strong. The thickness of the veneer will also determine its degree of strength, but even the thinnest veneers can be very durable and long-lasting. Depending on your specific needs, cosmetic goals, and budget, Dr. Fawcett can custom-design strong, beautiful veneers that can last for decades with proper care.

A: If your old veneers have become severely discolored, either due to the material they are crafted from or simply the passage of time, it may be time to replace them. Unfortunately, stained or discolored veneers cannot be bleached like natural teeth; however, instances of mild discoloration may be addressed with a professional cleaning and/or polishing treatment.

If you are interested in finding out how to improve the appearance of your veneers, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with Dr. Fawcett. During this appointment, he can evaluate the condition of your veneers and suggest the most suitable options for improving your smile.

A: The regular preparation process for the placement of porcelain veneers requires that a small amount of the tooth’s surface is removed. Once this is done, this part of the tooth cannot be replaced, it can only be covered with a veneer or another type of restoration that strengthens, protects, and completes the tooth. When no-prep or minimal-prep veneers are used to enhance a smile, the porcelain veneer procedure can sometimes be considered reversible. With these techniques, little or no enamel is removed from the teeth to accommodate the thickness of the veneer, so theoretically the veneers can be removed without affecting the smile or weakening the natural teeth. For the most satisfying and long-lasting outcomes, Dr. Fawcett encourages patients to consider porcelain veneers to be a lifelong commitment.

A: Porcelain veneers can enhance your natural teeth by making them appear more aligned, balanced, and straight. While veneers are often referred to as “instant orthodontics,” as they can often address mild orthodontic concerns, they do not actually shift the placement of teeth. Instead, the custom-made veneers are used to improve the shape of your teeth and close gaps, creating a straighter-looking smile.

A: Deciding between porcelain veneers and crowns will come down to your specific needs. Porcelain crowns are typically used to restore the function of a weak or damaged tooth, while also enhancing its appearance. Veneers, on the other hand, offer more of a cosmetic improvement as they cover imperfections like stains or cracks. Crowns cover the entire tooth’s structure while porcelain veneers only cover the front and the sides of a tooth. At your initial consultation, you and our team will be able to analyze your situation and determine which treatment will best suit you.

Custom-Design Your Smile Today

For more information about porcelain veneers, please contact the Fawcett Center for Dentistry, P.A. to set up an appointment with Dr. Fawcett.

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Porcelain Dental Veneers in Houston, TX

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