At Great Basin Dental, we believe that a beautiful smile can positively change how you feel about yourself. Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular options at our cosmetic dentistry. If you’re looking for a way to improve flaws, porcelain veneers might be the perfect solution.
Veneers are thin custom-made shells of porcelain that cover the front surface of your teeth. They can help improve the appearance of chipped, discolored, misaligned, or uneven teeth. Dr. Anthony Guillen and Dr. Kristian Sievert are preventive and cosmetic dentists in Reno with over a decade of experience. We provide porcelain veneers to fix cosmetic flaws and tooth damage.
Porcelain Veneers in Reno, NV
Dental porcelain is a thin but durable material that resists stains and reflects light just like real teeth. A porcelain veneer is a custom artwork created through a blend of dental expertise and craftsmanship. Some high-end labs use 3D printers for the initial model, but the porcelain application is still done by hand. It’s why veneers cost more than bonding but look infinitely more natural.
One of the best things about porcelain veneers is that they can address multiple issues at once. We can fix issues like:
- Chipped, cracked, or worn-down teeth
- Stubborn stains that whitening can’t fix
- Small gaps or slightly crooked teeth
Dr. Guillen or Dr. Sievert will design your veneers to match your teeth, so they blend in seamlessly. It’s a simple process with long-lasting results. Perfect for anyone that wants a quick smile makeover without multiple procedures.
The Veneer Placement Process
The procedure for getting porcelain veneers usually takes two visits to our office. First, your dentist prepares your teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel, about 0.5mm. Then they take precise impressions of your teeth either with putty or digital scans. Next, they’ll take photos of your smile from multiple angles, and detailed notes about your desired shape and color.
We will send the impressions to a dental lab where the technician uses your impressions to create a stone model of your teeth. He will hand-sculpt wax versions of your future veneers to see how they’ll look. Sometimes they’ll create a temporary “trial smile” so you can preview the result.
Using your custom wax model as a guide, the technician selects porcelain shades to match your teeth. Then they layer liquid porcelain onto a special mold. They will bake it in a furnace at about 1,800°F to harden it like natural tooth enamel. The product is then hand-stained and glazed for natural translucency and texture.
Before they send the veneers to our dental office, they polish them to a lifelike shine. Finally, you will come back to our office to check the fit against your actual teeth. We will make any final adjustments and permanently attach them to your teeth before you leave the second visit.
Unlike cheap “clip-on” veneers, this meticulous 10-14 day process ensures a perfect fit. Your new porcelain veneers will reflect light just like real enamel. With the right care, custom porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years or even longer in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Take Care of My Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are easy to maintain. Just follow your normal brushing and flossing routine, and visit your dentist regularly. While they’re strong and stain-resistant, a few simple habits will help them last longer:
- Brush and floss daily just like you do for your real teeth.
- See your dentist every 6 months for cleanings and checkups.
- Avoid chewing hard items like ice, pens, or fingernails, and don’t use your teeth to open things.
With proper care, your veneers can stay beautiful for many years.
Will My Veneers Look Fake or Too White?
Modern porcelain veneers look completely natural. We use high-quality materials that mimic the light-reflecting properties of real tooth enamel. We’ll carefully match the shade to your surrounding teeth before we begin, unless you specifically want a brighter “Hollywood” look.
The porcelain is slightly translucent just like teeth, so it catches light realistically. We also customize the shape and texture to suit your facial features. Most patients are amazed at how natural they look.
Can I Eat Normally with Veneers?
Yes, porcelain veneers are very durable once bonded to your teeth. You can enjoy all your favorite foods like crunchy apples, chewy bread, or juicy steaks without worry. However, we recommend using common sense. Don’t bite into extremely hard items like nut shells, ice cubes, or hard candy, as these could potentially chip the porcelain.
You should avoid habits like nail-biting or chewing on pens. With normal use, your veneers should handle everyday eating perfectly while maintaining their beautiful appearance for years.
Do Veneers Stain Like Real teeth?
Porcelain itself is highly stain-resistant, much more so than tooth enamel. Your morning coffee, red wine, or berry smoothies won’t discolor the veneers like they do to real teeth. However, the dental cement that bonds them can develop slight discoloration at the edges over the years, especially if you smoke or eat lots of dark-colored foods and drinks.
Regular professional cleanings help maintain their brightness. If staining does occur at the margins, we can often polish it away. In rare cases, we can replace the bonding material.
What Happens if a Veneer Chips or Cracks?
While porcelain is strong, it’s not indestructible. Small chips can usually be polished smooth in our office. We would need to replace the veneer entirely if it has larger damage, which is why we advise against using your teeth as tools.
If you accidentally damage a veneer, save any pieces and call us immediately. We can often do a temporary repair while creating your new veneer. With proper care, most patients never experience this problem. We’ll also check your veneers at every cleaning to catch any potential issues early.
Will My Teeth Feel Sensitive After?
It’s normal to have some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for the first few weeks after getting veneers. This happens because we remove a thin layer of enamel during preparation. Your teeth need time to adjust.
The sensitivity typically fades as your gums heal and you get used to your new veneers. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help during this time. If sensitivity persists beyond a month or becomes severe, give us a call. It might mean we need to adjust your bite or check the veneer’s fit.
Can You Remove Veneers if I Don’t Like Them?
Veneers are a permanent treatment because we have to remove some of your enamel to place them. Unlike removable dental appliances, they can’t simply be taken off if you change your mind. If you wanted to remove them, we’d have to replace them with new veneers or possibly crowns. This is because your underlying teeth wouldn’t have enough enamel left to look natural on their own.
This is why we spend so much time planning your smile design and doing trial smiles first. We’ll ensure you’ll love your final result before we begin the irreversible preparation.
Will People Notice I Have Veneers?
With today’s advanced materials and techniques, well-done veneers are virtually undetectable to the untrained eye. While people will definitely notice your beautiful new smile, they won’t be able to tell you have veneers unless you tell them.
We customize every detail. From the slight variations in color that natural teeth have, to the subtle surface textures that catch light realistically. Even other dentists would need to look closely to identify high-quality veneers. The only “tell” might be if you choose an unusually bright shade that contrasts with your tooth color.
Can I Get Cavities Under Veneers?
Although rare, the tooth structure underneath your veneers can still develop decay. While the porcelain itself can’t get cavities, the tooth at the edges can. This is why maintaining excellent oral hygiene is so important with veneers.
Brush and floss diligently, especially around the margins where the veneer meets your tooth. We recommend using an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash for extra protection. Regular dental checkups are crucial too. We’ll take special care to examine these areas and catch any potential problems early when they’re easiest to treat.
Do Veneers Last Forever?
Like most dental restorations, veneers aren’t permanent. Their lifespan depends on several factors:
- Your oral hygiene habits
- Whether you grind your teeth (we may recommend a night guard)
- General wear and tear
When it is time to replace them, the process is simpler than the initial placement. We’ll just remove the old veneers and take new impressions for your replacements. Many of our patients have maintained beautiful smiles with veneers for decades through periodic replacements.
Can I Whiten my Veneers?
Porcelain veneers can’t be whitened like teeth because their color is baked in during fabrication. If you want a brighter smile after getting veneers, we’d need to make new ones to match your desired shade. That’s why we always recommend doing any teeth whitening before getting veneers.
If you’re considering whitening in the future, it’s best to plan ahead with your veneer shade selection. We can create veneers slightly lighter than your teeth to allow for future whitening of your untreated teeth.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Dr. Anthony Guillen and Dr. Kristian Sievert can help you get the smile of your dreams. If you’re interested in porcelain veneers, schedule a visit with our team. We’ll review your oral health, walk you through the process, and answer any questions. Give us a call at 775-363-9644 or request an appointment online and we’ll help you decide if veneers are right for you.