Dr. Andrew Morris and Associates
At Spring Lake Dental Care, we offer an exciting alternative for patients who may not need full porcelain crowns to enhance the form and function of their teeth: porcelain veneers. These popular treatment options can beautifully enhance the appearance of your teeth by masking stains, hiding chips, correcting misalignment, and ultimately reshaping your smile.
Our team of experienced, award-winning cosmetic dentists utilize state-of-the-art imaging and treatment planning technology for our porcelain veneer procedures. This approach, along with their extensive training and the experience gained from successfully performing these procedures over the course of many years, allows our dentists to produce outcomes that look and feel like natural teeth while creating a beautiful new smile aesthetic. Please read on to learn more about porcelain veneers and how they can give you the smile of your dreams. If you have questions, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
Made of strong ceramic material, porcelain dental veneers are thin shells that slide over the front and sides of the teeth to conceal their natural appearance. Unlike dental crowns, which often necessitate the removal of large amounts of original tooth structure before they can be applied, porcelain veneers typically only require that the front of the tooth be buffed slightly to accommodate the thickness of the veneer. After your custom veneers are created, they are firmly bonded to your teeth, creating your brilliant new smile.
With proper care, dental veneers can produce outcomes that last for many years, sometimes even decades. Our porcelain veneers are crafted at DaVinci™ Dental Labs, a full-service laboratory that has delivered high-end aesthetic restorations with state-of-the-art technologies and techniques for over 45 years. Made from the finest, most durable ceramic materials available, you can trust your veneers are handcrafted with the utmost care to meet your cosmetic goals.
Porcelain veneers can be used to fix small imperfections or completely transform your smile. At Spring Lake Dental Care, Dr. Andrew Morris, Dr. Peter Ciampi, and our skilled dental team use porcelain veneers to:
Our dentists have extensive experience with porcelain veneers, allowing them to provide our patients with the superior results they expect and deserve. We invite you to view before-and-after pictures of our satisfied porcelain veneers patients. The path to a beautiful smile like theirs begins with a cosmetic exam, so contact us today to get started.
If you would like to enhance the appearance of teeth affected by deep stains and discoloration, chips or gaps, irregular shape, and/or mild misalignment, you may be an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers. These options are typically best-suited to individuals who have concerns that are mostly cosmetic in nature; those who have teeth that are severely damaged, decayed, or structurally compromised may be better candidates for a dental crown. During your initial consultation, our dentist will evaluate your needs and help you determine whether porcelain veneers offer the best solution. If so, they can develop a customized treatment plan and talk with you about the next steps.
One of the most prominent advantages of choosing Spring Lake Dental Care for porcelain veneers treatment is our heavy emphasis on the use of intricate smile design and planning strategies to create the best possible results. To help with the decision making process our practice utilizes state-of-the-art computer imaging to show you what the potential results may look like, ultimately giving you a “Smile Preview” to help you gain a general idea as to how the veneers may transform your smile. Additionally, once the initial porcelain veneer planning stages begin, our computerized shade matching capabilities allow us to more precisely match the color of your veneers to surrounding teeth. This step in the customization process helps create porcelain veneers that more naturally blend with your existing teeth to produce virtually seamless results. Whether your porcelain veneers are being included in a full smile makeover procedure or you are receiving a single porcelain veneer to address one specific concern, our team at Spring Lake Dental Care uses every advanced technique at our disposal to provide genuinely customized treatments that can result in beautiful, natural-looking smile transformations.
Some patients who are primarily concerned about stains and discoloration affecting their teeth wonder whether teeth whitening can serve as an alternative to porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening may indeed be an ideal solution in certain cases; however, it is important to know the distinctions between these two treatments in order to understand why one may be more advantageous than the other, depending on the circumstances. Teeth whitening is a non-invasive procedure that can lighten the color of natural teeth, minimizing signs of stains caused by food, drinks, tobacco use, or the passage of time. It can be ideal for individuals looking to enhance the brightness of their smile without altering the structure of their teeth in any way. Teeth whitening may be the right option for patients who have signs of mild to moderate yellowing or discoloration on their teeth; however, it may not be the best solution for teeth affected by particularly dark and deep stains.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front and side surfaces of the teeth. They are custom-designed restorations that can conceal stains and discoloration on the natural teeth. In fact, veneers can be colored in a way that lightens the appearance of the teeth and gives them a healthier, more refreshed look. Additionally, veneers can not only whiten teeth but also address issues such as chips, gaps, and misshapen or slightly misaligned teeth. Additionally, veneers can address discoloration and staining in degrees of severity for which a teeth whitening treatment may not be sufficiently effective. With that in mind, the process is more invasive than whitening and typically involves a small amount of modification to the tooth enamel. Ultimately, they provide a more comprehensive cosmetic solution with results that should last much longer than a teeth whitening treatment.
Advanced technologies and materials available here at Spring Lake Dental Care allow us to produce the best possible customization for porcelain veneers procedures. No two smiles are the same, so treatment planning is centered on creating porcelain veneers that accommodate each patient’s unique dental aesthetic. The porcelain veneers will be custom-designed and fabricated and options including the veneer’s color, size, and shape will be meticulously chosen and tested to ensure the best possible integration with your smile. Our dentist will explore the options with you in detail before the veneer is placed so you can discuss them and address any questions or concerns you may have.
The skills and experience of our dentists coupled with a precise and technologically-advanced approach to porcelain veneer treatments are just some of the reasons why Spring Lake Dental Care is one of the top practices in the area for these transformative procedures. If you are considering porcelain veneers, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.
Dr. Morris and Dr. Ciampi at Spring Lake Dental Care are often able to provide porcelain veneers with little removal of the original tooth enamel for many patients. Minimal-prep porcelain veneers allow our dental team to utilize very conservative techniques and preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible. This can ultimately make your visit with us more convenient, not to mention more comfortable.
As with all of our porcelain veneer procedures, minimal-prep veneers will be customized for the most precise and natural fit possible. They will also be color-matched to surrounding teeth for a seamless blend. During your initial consultation, our dentist will examine your teeth and determine if this conservative treatment will be best for your needs.
With good oral hygiene and the proper care, porcelain dental veneers can last for decades!
High-quality dental veneers made with strong, durable ceramic materials are designed to last for many years – often beyond a decade. To help extend the lifetime, there are measures the patient can take to properly care for and maintain the dental restoration for years to come. Practicing good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing, along with routine dental cleanings and examinations, are ideal ways to prolong your results. Additionally, if you tend to grind or clench your teeth while you sleep, wearing a nightguard or mouthguard can be an excellent way to protect the veneers from potential damage.
The cost of porcelain veneers at Spring Lake Dental Care may vary depending on several factors that need to be considered when planning your smile enhancement. Keep in mind, the price reflects our commitment to providing patients with the highest-quality materials crafted by master ceramists who are experts in this field, as well as veneer placement by experienced cosmetic dentists who can create natural-looking results. During your initial consultation, we will evaluate the best course of treatment for your aesthetic goals and provide a cost estimate that provides the best value for the finest treatment. The estimate for porcelain dental veneers will be based on a variety of factors, including:
Our knowledgeable team can review your cost estimate with you after the treatment plan has been developed and explore payment options that may be best for your needs. We can also talk with you about third-party financing available through CareCredit®. This reputable company offers qualified applicants a variety of affordable loan options and payment plans for dental procedures.
While porcelain veneers can be an effective solution for a wide variety of aesthetic dental concerns, there may be another option that is better suited for certain patients. At Spring Lake Dental Care, we offer the following alternative cosmetic dentistry solutions to consider:
Our experienced dental team will be able to evaluate your individual needs and goals during a consultation to determine the cosmetic dentistry solution that can best achieve your smile transformation.
In most cases, porcelain veneers are selected to cosmetically enhance or improve a single tooth, multiple teeth, or an entire smile. Due to the aesthetic nature of the treatment, most dental insurance providers will not cover costs for the procedure. With that in mind, our practice accepts numerous payment methods, including financing via CareCredit® for qualified applicants, to make this part of the treatment process as convenient as possible.
Each porcelain veneer is custom-made with exceptional (and durable) ceramic materials and is meticulously molded, crafted, and color-matched to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Along with providing safe treatment that meets our patients’ goals, one of our highest priorities is to create smile enhancements that are long-lasting and look as natural as possible.
The non-porous ceramic material used for porcelain veneers is highly resistant to stains and can typically withstand most food and beverages that would normally cause discoloration. However, keep in mind that the surrounding natural teeth are still susceptible to staining, so darker-pigmented solids and liquids (coffee, tea, red wine, marinara, berries, etc.) should be enjoyed in moderation to preserve the appearance of your overall smile. Additionally, to avoid staining—as well as compromising your oral and overall health—it is best to refrain from using tobacco products.
Since no two smiles are alike, we do a diagnostic workup to find a solution that is going to look good and last a long time. In other words, it’s not just about saying “you need 6 veneers,” but rather, let’s take a look at what is going on and figure out what is going to help you achieve your goals. Ultimately, the number of porcelain veneers you will need depends on your specific dental goals and the particular concerns being addressed.
In terms of their longevity, porcelain veneers are not considered a permanent dental treatment; however, with the proper care, they can last a minimum of 10 to 20 years or longer in many cases. While the veneers may not produce lifelong results and may need to be replaced over time, it is important to note that the preparation of your natural teeth to fit the veneers is irreversible. Therefore, once you have veneers, you will always need to have either dental veneers or another form of dental covering on those teeth.
The porcelain veneers procedure should not create excessive discomfort. In most cases, a small amount of enamel will need to be removed from your natural teeth to prepare the custom veneers for placement; however, a local anesthetic applied to the treatment area should minimize the potential for pain. After the veneers are placed, some patients might experience mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days, which usually subsides quickly.
Porcelain veneers and porcelain dental crowns both offer solutions for improving the appearance of teeth, however, each treatment works in a distinct way. Porcelain veneers are typically only used for cosmetic purposes and are strategically placed on the front and sides of the tooth, whereas dental crowns are generally recommended for restorative purposes to protect and rebuild the entire tooth. While a porcelain veneer may correct chips, deep stains, and gaps, dental crowns can aid in restoring the functional issues of severely damaged or weakened teeth, such as chewing and speaking.
Additionally, there are important differences in how each treatment is prepared. Since porcelain veneers often serve as a surface solution, preparation for veneers typically necessitates very little modification of the natural tooth structure. On the other hand, dental crowns require a substantial amount of the affected tooth’s enamel and structure to be removed, especially the damaged or decayed areas, for treatment to work properly and restore all functionality. Once applied, both custom-created veneers and crowns are intended to look completely natural and blend in seamlessly with other teeth for years or even decades.
For more information about porcelain veneers, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Spring Lake Dental Care today!
