Are you unhappy with the appearance of your smile?
Do you have chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth? If you answered yes, Design Dental in North Liberty, IA might have the right solution. Porcelain veneers are a natural-looking, long-lasting treatment that can enhance the appearance of your smile. With proper care and maintenance, veneers can last many years.
Like any cosmetic dental treatment, working with a team that understands your vision and can work with you to execute it is important. Dr. S. Jeremy Tu is a cosmetic dentist who can improve your smile. Dr. Tu has the skill, knowledge, and expertise to help you achieve your cosmetic and dental health goals.
Porcelain Veneers in North Liberty, IA
The process for porcelain veneers will require multiple visits to our North Liberty dentist office. Every cosmetic treatment begins with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Tu.
- The Consultation: During this phase of the veneer process, you will discuss your cosmetic goals and expectations with Dr. Tu. Dr. Tu will also perform a full dental exam to determine if your teeth are structurally healthy.
- The Preparation: To place veneers that last, Dr. Tu will need to remove a small amount of tooth enamel from the affected teeth. We may administer a local anesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during this process.
- Taking The Impressions: We will take impressions of your teeth once your dentist prepares them. A local ceramicist will use these impressions to create your custom veneers. We will also fit you for temporary veneers until your permanent veneers are ready.
- Creating The Veneers: We work with a local ceramicist to create natural-looking, custom porcelain veneers. They will make the veneers using the molds of your teeth and the color specifications.
- The Fitting: Once your veneers are ready, Dr. Tu will assess the fit to meet your expectations. If necessary, we can adjust the veneers to suit your needs better.
- The Final Appointment: Dr. Tu will carefully bond them into place once you approve your veneers.
Our team will help you achieve the smile of your dreams. To determine if porcelain veneers are right for you, visit our North Liberty dentist’s office for a consultation.
Are Porcelain Veneers Right For Me?
Dental veneers are ideal for patients who want to enhance the appearance of their smile. Dr. Tu can perform a full dental evaluation to determine if porcelain veneers or one of our other cosmetic treatments is right for you.
Ideally, candidates for porcelain veneers should possess these qualities:
- An adequate amount of enamel
- No teeth grinding or clenching
- Committed to permanent change
Porcelain veneers are custom-made to meet the needs of the patients. Ideal candidates should possess healthy teeth and gums. Patients with advanced cases of crooked teeth are not ideal candidates for porcelain veneers. Instead, we may recommend orthodontic treatment or invisible braces.
Dr. Tu carefully evaluates patients during the consultation to determine if they are ideal for porcelain veneers. If not, we offer a full range of cosmetic solutions to help you achieve your desired results.
What Do Porcelain Veneers Treat?
Tooth discoloration is the most common cosmetic complaint we see in our office. Typically, we’ll use professional teeth whitening to treat it. However, not all discoloration responds to traditional methods. With porcelain veneers, you can choose the shade of white you desire. They cover the front and sides of your teeth, completely shielding the discoloration from view.
We use our teeth every day, and they wear down over time. Some experience more wear than others, and the lengths of your teeth may become uneven. This gives your smile an aged appearance. Porcelain veneers can be a one-treatment smile makeover in instances like this. They can take years off of your smile’s appearance.
Small chips and cracks are common with our teeth. Even small ones increase your chances of sensitivity or tooth decay. Not only do porcelain veneers give your teeth a flawless appearance again, but they also bolster your teeth’s strength. You’re less likely to have more oral health problems when you have porcelain veneers.
Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?
In addition to being able to treat almost any cosmetic issue, veneers provide many other additional benefits. One of our patients’ biggest worries is that their dental restoration won’t look natural. Porcelain is one of the best materials for a natural appearance. It has the same translucent quality as natural tooth enamel, giving restored teeth a nice sheen. They’re indistinguishable from your natural teeth when you smile.
Porcelain veneers are durable and hold up to the wear and tear of daily life very well. Their stain resistance is better than natural teeth. Since natural tooth structure is living tissue, it’s porous, allowing staining agents to seep in. Porcelain is non-porous, making it harder for stains to penetrate. Even if you’re a smoker or frequently drink coffee, your veneers stay bright longer.
In addition to cosmetic benefits, veneers can provide functional ones, too. If you suffer from enamel erosion or have teeth that have become worn down and brittle, veneers can help. They add an extra layer to the tooth, protecting it from further damage and ensuring you can still use it without worry. It slows down the tooth degeneration process that occurs for everyone over time.
Lastly, veneers are an easy tooth restoration to take care of. They don’t require any extra steps to maintain them. All you need to do is brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly. We recommend using soft-bristled toothbrushes and non-abrasive toothpaste to ensure you don’t scratch the veneers’ surface.
Porcelain Veneers: Frequently Asked Questions
Porcelain veneers can correct almost any cosmetic dental concern. Read the answers to these commonly asked questions to learn more.
Do dental veneers cause tooth damage over time?
No. Dental veneers do not cause tooth damage, such as discoloration, decay, or irritation. When we place the veneer, we initially remove a small layer of tooth structure. This makes room for the veneer and allows it to lay flush with the rest of your smile. This is the only “damage” that occurs with veneers. The veneer then protects and strengthens the remainder of the tooth.
Will I have to replace my porcelain veneers periodically?
You may need to replace your veneers in specific circumstances. If you chip or fracture one or a cavity develops under it, we may have to remove and replace it. Also, if the veneer becomes loose, we may have to replace it. If you take care of your veneers with great oral hygiene, they can last for over ten years without needing to be touched up.
Is it better to repair or replace my veneer if I damage it?
This is a common question. Ultimately, it is better to replace it rather than repair it. A good dentist will tell you if the overall structure is weak if you crack or chip it. We recommend replacing it to prevent further damage and not affect the appearance. It’s usually easier to replace instead of repair.
Do porcelain veneers get tooth decay?
No, but the natural tooth structure underneath the veneers can still decay. Keeping the natural teeth strong and healthy is important, as they provide the foundation for your veneers. If they get cavities, it loosens the veneers and destabilizes them. The more your tooth decays, the looser the veneer gets, and it can even fall off. Continue to follow a diligent oral healthcare plan.
Can my veneer pop off?
While it’s rare, it is possible. It can pop off if you floss a certain way or put enough pressure on the veneer. As you age, the bond between the veneer and tooth weakens, making it more likely for the veneer to come off. If there was an issue with how the veneer was placed, it could also make it more susceptible to coming off.
Am I a good candidate for porcelain veneers?
Before getting porcelain veneers, you must be free of oral health problems. The veneers need a strong foundation to bond and function properly. You also have to be committed to having a permanent restoration. Once you have veneers, you’ll need to have some sort of restoration on those teeth for the rest of your life.
Schedule a Consultation
At Design Dental, we build personalized smile makeover plans for patients who want to achieve a beautiful smile. North Liberty cosmetic dentist Dr. Tu can work with you one-on-one to plan and implement a smile makeover plan for you.
To learn more about porcelain veneers and how they can benefit you, call (319) 284-4361 or request an appointment online.