Porcelain Veneers 

We live in a world where an attractive smile can have a tremendous positive impact on your life. A recent study shows that 80% of the people surveyed are unhappy with their smile. For others, the beautiful smile they had in their 20’s may be in need of some rejuvenation.

If you fit into either of these categories, you may be a candidate for a smile makeover with porcelain veneers. This exciting and popular treatment is virtually painless and can give you a new smile that feels natural and looks amazing.

WHAT ARE PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Many of the world’s most famous smiles have been created with veneers. Porcelain veneers are wafer thin shells of porcelain that can be used to cosmetically enhance your smile. Once veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth, they conceal a variety of imperfections and create beautiful-looking teeth that feel natural and function normally. Porcelain veneers are one of the quickest ways to transform your smile with long-lasting, stain-resistant results.

PORCELAIN VENEERS VS. CROWNS

It is common to be confused about the differences between porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. While porcelain veneers are thin porcelain restorations bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to conceal cosmetic imperfections, porcelain crowns are restorations that cover the entire tooth. Porcelain crowns are primarily used to help restore strength, structure, and aesthetics to teeth that have been badly decayed or damaged. To prepare the tooth for a crown, a majority of the damage and tooth body is removed to accommodate the restoration. In contrast, only a tiny amount of enamel needs to be removed from the front of the tooth to properly secure a porcelain veneer.

PORCELAIN VENEERS VS. LUMINEERS®

Lumineers® are an older generation of minimal/no-prep veneers. Unlike the high-quality hand-crafted feldspathic contact lens veneers Dr. Sánchez offers, Lumineers® are machine-made and offer sub-par fit and aesthetics. Feldspathic contact lens veneers are also considered minimal/no-prep veneers, which means they are so thin that the preparation phase is minimal, if necessary at all. Additionally, feldspathic contact lens veneers offer optimal fit and aesthetics making them the superior choice among minimal/no-prep porcelain veneer options. Because of his dedication to creating natural-looking, long-lasting results, Dr. Sánchez always prefers to use feldspathic contact lens veneers when minimal/no-prep veneers are desired.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Porcelain dental veneers play a major role in the custom smile makeover process, and they offer several advantages when compared to options available in the past. Porcelain veneers allow cosmetic dentist Alejandro Sánchez, DDS to reshape your smile utilizing a minimally-invasive approach that can deliver significant cosmetic improvements.

Veneers are used to instantly change the color, size, shape, and length of teeth. They can also be used to strengthen cracked or damaged teeth and restore their appearance. Veneers are one of the most conservative procedures performed by a dentist, which means your natural teeth are mostly untouched during treatment. Only a small amount of tooth enamel needs to be removed in order to accommodate the thickness of the veneer.

We have our own personal ceramist who hand-crafts each custom-made veneer according to Dr. Sánchez exact specifications to create a smile that matches your personality and style! The porcelain that we use is highly resistant to staining, so unlike natural teeth, veneers will always maintain their color even if you drink coffee, tea, and red wine; the stains just wash away.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Most people who desire to have an attractive smile are candidates for porcelain veneers. Generally speaking, if you have healthy teeth with good enamel, veneers may be a good option for fixing any of the following issues:

• Yellow or discolored teeth that do not respond to teeth whitening. Some people are born with dark enamel from genetics or exhibit deep staining from tetracycline. Veneers are an excellent option to instantly cover stained or discolored teeth.
• Short teeth with a gummy smile. Many people are born with small teeth and tend to show a lot of gum tissue when smiling. For patients like these, veneers combined with a gum lift can lengthen the appearance of teeth and reshape the gum line to achieve optimal smile proportions.
• Damaged, chipped or misshaped teeth. Veneers can be an excellent option for repairing damaged teeth. For those who have had bonding done in the past, porcelain veneers can provide a more durable, lasting, and aesthetically pleasing alternative.
• Mildly crooked teeth. Straighten the appearance of mildly misaligned teeth in two visits. Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for correcting alignment issues without spending years at the dentist. Veneers may be especially attractive to those whose teeth have regressed after previous orthodontic treatment.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE PORCELAIN VENEERS PROCESS?

Transforming your smile with porcelain veneers usually requires a minimum of two to three visits to our office. This includes the initial consultation, the preparation and temporization appointment, and lastly the placement of your permanent veneers. There may be additional follow-up appointments to make adjustments to your temporary and/or permanent veneers.

CONSULTATION

For many of Dr. Sánchez patients, getting porcelain veneers have become a life-changing procedure. He believes that his in-depth consultation process is key to achieving success with any cosmetic dentistry procedure, ultimately helping him deliver the results patients desire. As we are all unique and have different views of what we consider beautiful, Dr. Sánchez spends a lot of time getting to know each patient and learning about their personality during the initial phase of the consultation.

Next, Dr. Sánchez performs a thorough examination of the teeth, gums, and mouth to determine two things: 1) whether you are a candidate for porcelain veneers and 2) if porcelain veneers are indeed the best option for achieving your goals. He also completes a “smile analysis,” that involves taking digital photos of your teeth and identifying the ways he can enhance their appearance. If porcelain veneers are recommended, Dr. Sánchez may take diagnostic impressions of your teeth to have a wax-up created in his laboratory that models the proposed changes to your teeth.

Getting porcelain veneers is a big decision for most patients and Dr. Sánchez is committed to creating an excellent experience for them at every stage of the process. He strives to help his patients to feel comfortable, confident and cared for throughout treatment. 

PREPARATION & TRIAL SMILE

Porcelain dental veneer treatments have become very advanced over the years – so much so that only a very minimal amount of the natural tooth needs to be smoothed away to accommodate the veneer. After Dr. Sanchez gently reshapes the designated teeth, he takes dental impressions and sends them to his ceramist who will use them to artistically create each new veneer by hand. Before you leave the office, Dr. Sánchez crafts a stunning set of temporary veneers that replicate your new smile. The temporaries are used as a “Trial Smile,“ giving you the opportunity to see your new smile before the final stage of treatment. Dr. Sánchez allows time to make adjustments or modifications to the temporaries before the final veneer is made. Once you and Dr. Sánchez are happy with the size and shape of your new smile, his ceramist will proceed with hand-making the final veneers.

BONDING AND CEMENTATION

The big day has arrived, and It’s time for you to get your final veneers cemented. At this appointment, Dr. Sánchez first removes your temporary veneers and disinfects your teeth. Next, he tries your new veneers on your teeth, making sure the color and fit are perfect before bonding. Then, he applies a strong bonding adhesive to the prepared teeth and permanently cements the veneers in place. To complete the process, he makes any necessary adjustments to ensure your teeth are touching properly and the veneers fit comfortably.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY VENEERS HAVE BEEN PLACED?

Some patients may experience mild tooth sensitivity immediately after their procedure. Typically, this sensation dissipates within two weeks. Afterward, your teeth should feel normal and natural, allowing you to enjoy your new, improved smile. 

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR MY NEW PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Porcelain veneers are made of a durable material that is designed to withstand normal wear. However, there are certain steps you can take to help ensure your porcelain veneers last as long as possible. Maintaining good dental hygiene and visiting a dentist for routine oral exams can preserve the appearance of your new smile. Additionally, if you are prone to clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep, wearing a nightguard can reduce excess stress on your veneers. Finally, Dr. Sánchez recommends patients with porcelain veneers avoid biting down on exceptionally hard foods to avoid accidental damage. When properly cared for, porcelain veneers can last for decades.

HOW MUCH DO PORCELAIN VENEERS COST?

The cost for your porcelain veneers will depend upon the type of veneer you and Dr. Sánchez decide on, as well as the material it is fabricated from. Dr. Sánchez prefers to utilize the highest quality veneers to create the most durable, aesthetically pleasing, and long-lasting results. The average porcelain veneer cost for each option (per veneer) is as follows in pesos:

• Pressed Ceramics – e.max®: $6800 pesos
• Feldspathic Contact Lens – No/Minimal Prep: $5600 pesos

During your initial appointment with Dr. Sánchez, he will explain the advantages of each option and provide you with a comprehensive price quotation for your procedure. For more pricing information, please visit our page devoted to porcelain veneer cost.

HOW LONG TO PORCELAIN VENEERS LAST?

With proper care, high-quality porcelain veneers can last for decades, or even a lifetime. Today’s ceramic materials maintain their strength, aesthetics, and durability much longer than materials of the past. Additionally, Dr. Sánchez experience and expertise in placing porcelain veneers can help lengthen their lifespan. He also recommends that every veneer patient receive a custom nightguard to protect their veneers from destructive clenching and grinding forces that can chip or otherwise damage veneers. When it comes to dental hygiene, porcelain veneers are maintained with twice-daily brushing and flossing and regular check-ups/cleanings, just like your natural teeth.

WHY CHOOSE DR. SÁNCHEZ FOR PORCELAIN VENEERS?

Dr. Sánchez understands the impact a smile can have on someone’s life and self-confidence. His passion for cosmetic dentistry – particularly his interest in smile makeovers and porcelain veneers. His dedication has inspired him to devote his career to giving back and helping others transform their lives through cosmetic dentistry.

Contact our office today to find out if you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sánchez.