Commonly Asked Questions about Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. This article contains the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the procedure.

Q: What is a porcelain veneer?

A: A porcelain veneer is a very thin, tooth like material that is placed over the existing tooth in order to correct the appearance of a number of aesthetic issues.

Q: How are porcelain veneers applied?

A: In most cases, the tooth is shaved down a little in order to provide an appropriate surface on which to place the veneer. There are some types of veneers that do not require that the tooth be shaved down prior to applying.

Q: Are porcelain veneers permanent?

A: Yes. Porcelain veneers are a permanent solution to certain cosmetic dentistry issues.

Q: Do porcelain veneers look natural?

A: Absolutely. In fact, if you don’t tell anyone that you have porcelain veneers, they would never know. The veneers are made of a material that mimics natural teeth both in color and in how they reflect light. You could have a veneer right next to one of your natural teeth and it would still be difficult to tell a difference.

Q: Do I have to have porcelain veneers applied to all of my teeth?

A: No. If you have just a couple of stained teeth, for example, you can choose to only have veneers applied to those teeth. Most people only choose to have veneers applied to the teeth that can be seen when they smile.

Q: Can porcelain veneers correct all types of staining?

A: Yes. While professional teeth whitening will not be effective on certain stains, veneers can correct all types of staining.

Q: What other types of problems can porcelain veneers correct?

A: Porcelain veneers are wonderfully effective at correcting gaps between the teeth, teeth that are too small, unevenly spaced teeth and fractured or broken teeth.

Q: How do I choose a cosmetic dentist?

A: While it may be tempting to choose your cosmetic dentist based on the lowest price, this may not be a good idea. Remember, porcelain veneers are permanent. You are going to have to live with the work of your cosmetic dentist for the rest of your life. You should choose only after reviewing the dentist’s portfolio and his experience with veneers. Also, be sure that he is board certified as a cosmetic dentist.

Contact our Atherton cosmetic dentistry office for more information on porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatments.