Addressing cosmetic concerns that you have with your smile can do wonders for your self-confidence. At Baltimore Dental Co., we are proud to offer comprehensive cosmetic services to help our patients achieve their dream smiles. We offer porcelain veneers in Glyndon, MD to help them achieve this goal.
If you are looking for a complete smile makeover, it may be time to consider porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic shells that dentists attach to the front-facing portion of your teeth, essentially replacing your natural tooth with a more cosmetically desirable tooth.
Dr. Leah Romay is happy to provide porcelain veneers as a treatment option for addressing a wide range of concerns. Many patients find that porcelain veneers are the perfect, minimally invasive treatment option for resolving their tooth damage and cosmetic concerns.
Porcelain Veneers in Glyndon, MD
Patients use porcelain veneers to conceal major or minor cosmetic dental concerns. As a versatile treatment, you can use them to treat many things. They offer long-lasting results when patients suffer from various cosmetic problems. Dr. Romay may suggest dental veneers if a patient is suffering from:
- Tooth Discoloration: Sometimes, professional teeth whitening simply will not work on some teeth stains. In these cases, you will need to mask the tooth or teeth with other cosmetic dentistry treatments. Porcelain veneers are the perfect solution because porcelain is the perfect material to mimic the appearance of natural teeth.
- Chipped or Worn Down Teeth: A dental veneer can build back up a tooth that has damage due to excessive wear or that has been chipped. The veneer will cover the damaged portion making the tooth appear whole. This will improve the appearance of the tooth and also protect it from further damage.
- Misaligned Teeth: Teeth that are out of alignment or have an irregular shape can benefit from porcelain veneers. Veneers can improve the shape, align the teeth, and create a straight smile. Aligning the teeth with veneers can also make it easier to clean in between the teeth.
- Disproportional Teeth: Teeth that are different sizes can be made even in size, length, and shape with dental veneers. This will create a more balanced and attractive smile.
- Gaps between Teeth: Dr. Romay can use porcelain veneers to close small to moderate gaps between teeth. This will eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment. She will apply the veneers to the adjacent teeth to fill the gap, resulting in a more even and uniform smile.
How Does a Porcelain Veneer Work?
When the dentist places the veneer on the tooth, it will act as a cover for the natural tooth. Essentially, the veneer cosmetically replaces the affected tooth while still allowing you to maintain the functionality of your natural tooth beneath it.
Porcelain veneers are very thin, meaning you only require a small amount of enamel removal to make space for the veneer. The porcelain material will basically replace the outer layer, the enamel. They consider them a durable and highly customizable cosmetic treatment that can meet your dental health or cosmetic goals with personalized results.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
The porcelain veneer process will require several trips to our dentist office. It is a multi-step process that requires collaboration between you, your dentist, and a dental laboratory.
- Treatment Planning: During your initial consultation, Dr. Romay will discuss your goals and expectations. She will evaluate your oral health, take X-rays, and examine your entire mouth to make sure you qualify for dental veneers.
- Tooth Preparation: To prepare your teeth for the veneers, Dr. Romay will need to remove a minimal amount of enamel from the front surface of your teeth. This essentially will make room for the dental veneers. This is an important step because you do not want them to appear bulky. We will use local anesthetic so that you are comfortable during the procedure.
- Dental Impressions: The next step is to take dental impressions once your dentist finishes preparing your teeth. We send molds of your teeth to a dental lab, where a technician will fabricate your custom porcelain veneers. While they are making them, we will place temporary veneers on your teeth to protect them until your permanent ones are ready.
- Shade Selection: Dr. Romay will work with you to find the right shade for your porcelain veneers. In some cases, she will simply match them to your surrounding teeth. In other cases, patients can choose what shade they want and consider factors like their skin tone and other aesthetic preferences.
- Placing the Porcelain Veneer: When we receive your new veneers, you will come in for the final appointment. Dr. Romay will remove the temporary veneers and try on the new ones to make sure the color and fit are right. She will carefully bond each one to the tooth using a dental adhesive. The last step is to polish the veneers to give them a natural and seamless appearance.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
Dr. Romay is happy to answer any questions you might have about this treatment option. Read through our frequently asked questions sections to learn more about porcelain veneers.
Will people be able to notice my porcelain veneer?
Your dentist will design your porcelain veneer to blend in with your natural smile. The porcelain material reflects light similarly to your surrounding teeth, meaning it should not stand out within your smile. People should only notice your improved smile aesthetics after you get veneers.
How should I care for my porcelain veneer?
Porcelain veneers do not require any additional care beyond your regular oral hygiene routine. You can maintain your porcelain veneer if you continue brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular oral hygiene and wellness visits with your dentist.
How many porcelain veneers do I need?
This all depends on your cosmetic and budgetary goals. Many patients are able to resolve their cosmetic concerns with one veneer used to conceal a problematic tooth that distracts from their smile. However, some patients may find themselves wanting a full mouth of veneers. Dr. Romay can provide guidance on how many veneers she thinks would most benefit your smile.
Do porcelain veneers break easily?
A veneer can break under too much pressure, just like a natural tooth can. However, veneers are so strong that breaking them is uncommon. Porcelain veneers are amazingly durable while being incredibly thin. It is very uncommon for them to break, but it is possible.
Why do porcelain veneers fall off?
Over-preparation and poor bonding processes can cause porcelain veneers and crowns to fall off. To guarantee that veneers fit well on the tooth and at the gumline, only a very small amount of tooth enamel will require removal. Too much preparation results in veneers that are loose and fall off.
What is the best age to get veneers?
Since children’s teeth continue to develop into adulthood, our dentists often advise patients to wait until they are at least 16 to 18 years old before investing in their first set of veneers.
Are veneers high maintenance?
For people with a range of dental issues, such as cracked, chipped, or missing teeth, porcelain veneers offer a minimal maintenance treatment. A dentist can apply them immediately, and they endure for years with little upkeep. Call us today to discuss if you would be a good candidate for veneers.
Schedule An Appointment For Porcelain Veneers in Glyndon, MD
A cosmetic consultation with Dr. Romay will help you determine if porcelain veneers are right for you. Schedule an appointment online today, and we look forward to seeing you soon.