Veneers have become a popular topic on social media, with more and more celebrities transforming their smiles with this versatile solution. You can access this same natural-looking treatment to achieve the perfect teeth you’ve always wanted. Dental veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells crafted from tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. This versatile cosmetic dentistry treatment can address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously, including discoloration, chips, gaps, misalignment, and worn-down teeth.
At Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we specialize in creating beautiful, seamless veneers that enhance your smile while maintaining your unique facial characteristics. Our experienced dental team works closely with you to design veneers that complement your features and achieve your desired results. We take pride in helping you gain confidence through transformative yet subtle cosmetic improvements tailored to your unique needs.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells typically crafted from porcelain or composite resin materials. They’re designed to cover the front surface of teeth, improving their appearance by changing their color, shape, size, or length. At Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer the following types of veneers to meet your specific needs and preferences:
Porcelain: The gold standard in cosmetic dentistry, traditional porcelain veneers provide remarkable durability and aesthetic quality. They’re created with precision in a dental lab based on impressions of your teeth and look natural, with similar translucency and light-reflecting properties.
Composite: A more affordable alternative to porcelain veneers, composite veneers use a tooth-colored resin to conceal cosmetic flaws. Unlike traditional porcelain veneers, they can be completed in one visit.
Minimal prep: Minimal prep veneers require no enamel removal before application, making them a great option if you want to completely preserve your natural tooth structure or want a reversible solution.
Whether you have chips or cracks, discoloration, gaps, or slightly misaligned teeth, we can help you find a veneer treatment that works for you. Our caring team considers every detail, including your oral health, medical history, and budget, to develop a personalized treatment that gives you the confident, stunning smile you deserve.
What Happens During the Veneer Process?
We take a comprehensive approach to veneer treatment, handling every aspect of the process to ensure the best results. We understand getting a dental treatment like veneers in Wilmington, NC can be daunting, so we guide you through the following steps with gentle care and clear communication:
Initial Consultation and Planning
The process begins with a thorough consultation to discuss your goals and examine your teeth to determine if veneers are the right option for you. We’ll take photographs and possibly X-rays to assess your teeth’s structure and health. With the digital imaging we take during the appointment, you can get a preview of how your veneers might look.
Tooth Preparation and Impressions
Once you decide to proceed with veneers, we’ll prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel (approximately 0.5mm) from the front surface. This creates space for the veneer while ensuring a natural appearance. If you’re getting minimal prep veneers, enamel removal isn’t necessary.
Instead of traditional impressions, we use digital intraoral scanning to capture a precise 3D image of your teeth—no mess, no gagging, and no impression trays. This allows for greater comfort and accuracy as we send your digital scan to our dental lab, where your custom veneers will be fabricated. We’ll also place temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth while you wait for your permanent veneers.
Bonding and Final Adjustments
When your custom veneers are ready (typically within one to two weeks), you’ll return to our office for the bonding procedure. We’ll first check the fit and color of each veneer, making any necessary adjustments. Once you’re satisfied with the appearance, we permanently bond the veneers to your teeth using special dental cement and a curing light to harden the adhesive. Finally, we polish the veneers and make any final adjustments to ensure your bite feels comfortable.
5 Benefits of Getting Dental Veneers at Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
With our personalized care, advanced technology, and experienced professionals, you can feel confident your veneer treatment is in the right hands. Veneers have become one of the most demanded cosmetic procedures for a good reason, as they offer the following advantages:
Versatile Cosmetic Correction
Veneers can address multiple cosmetic issues simultaneously, making them an excellent investment for comprehensive smile enhancement. They can effectively correct the following:
Severely discolored teeth resistant to professional teeth whitening
Chipped tooth or broken teeth
Gaps between teeth (diastema)
Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
Worn-down teeth showing signs of aging
This versatility often makes veneers a more efficient alternative to multiple separate treatments, saving time and potentially reducing overall treatment costs.
Natural-Looking Results
Quality porcelain veneers are virtually indistinguishable from normal teeth. The translucent properties of modern dental porcelain capture and reflect light in the same way as natural tooth enamel, creating a realistic appearance. Our skilled dental team carefully selects the shade, shape, and size of your veneers to complement your facial features and create a harmonious smile.
Durability and Stain Resistance
With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or longer. The porcelain material is highly resistant to stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco, allowing your smile to maintain its brightness over time. Unlike normal teeth, porcelain doesn’t discolor with age, so your veneers will continue looking fresh for years.
Minimal Tooth Preparation
While traditional porcelain veneers require some enamel removal, the amount is significantly less than needed for dental crowns. For some patients, minimal-prep or no-prep veneers may be an option, requiring even less alteration to your natural teeth.
Easy Maintenance
You can care for veneers like your natural teeth by brushing and flossing daily and getting regular dental cleanings. With this straightforward care routine, your veneers can last for years.
Contact Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Veneer Treatment
Veneers offer a remarkable opportunity to transform your smile and boost your confidence with a simple procedure. At Port City Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our United States Navy-trained dental professionals combine technical expertise with an artistic eye to create veneers that enhance your natural beauty.
Our Spanish-speaking staff and commitment to excellence ensure you receive comprehensive care throughout your veneer journey. Whether you’re looking to correct a single tooth or completely rejuvenate your smile, we’re here to help you achieve your dream results. Contact us today at (910) 251-8174 or through our contact form to schedule your veneer consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Veneers
What are composite resin veneers and how do they differ from traditional veneers?
Composite resin veneers are a more affordable option compared to traditional veneers, which are typically made from porcelain. Composite resin materials are used to craft composite veneers, which are applied directly to the teeth and shaped to correct cosmetic imperfections. Unlike traditional veneers, which require a dental laboratory to create, composite resin veneers can be completed in a single visit.
Are veneers permanent or can they be removed later?
While veneers permanent are designed to last many years, they are not removable once they are bonded to your teeth. However, if you’re looking for a temporary solution or something reversible, removable veneers, such as snap on veneers, might be a good option. These can be taken off and put back on as needed, but they do not offer the same long-lasting results as permanent veneers.
Can veneers cover all cosmetic imperfections?
Yes, veneers can be used to cover a wide range of cosmetic imperfections, such as chips, cracks, discoloration, misalignment, and gaps between teeth. They offer a simple and effective solution for those looking to enhance the appearance of their smile with a cosmetic procedure that improves the overall look of their teeth.
How long do traditional veneers last?
Traditional veneers are known for their durability and can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years, depending on how well they are cared for. These veneers permanent restorations are made in a dental laboratory and are custom-crafted to fit each individual’s teeth, ensuring a natural look and long-lasting results when maintained properly.
What are snap on veneers and how do they work?
Snap on veneers are a type of removable veneer that fits over your natural teeth, offering a temporary solution for improving the appearance of your smile. They can help with minor cosmetic imperfections like discoloration or gaps between teeth. Unlike permanent veneers, snap on veneers are designed for easy use and can be taken off and put on as desired.