Porcelain Veneers – Salem, OR

Types of Imperfections Porcelain Veneers Can Address

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, customized shells that cover the surface of your teeth. As one of the most popular, common, and versatile cosmetic treatments available, porcelain veneers can cover:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Permanent stains & discoloration
• Teeth appearing too short or misshapen
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Gaps

It is entirely up to you as to how many teeth you would like to cover with veneers. From one tooth to an entire set, your customized veneers will provide you with beautiful, renewed smile.

How Porcelain Veneers Are Made and Applied

At Cochell Family Dentistry, we will always personalize your treatment plan to meet your desired goals and dental needs. After examining your oral health, we will begin by taking impressions of your teeth, which will be used to design your new smile for your approval prior to getting started with treatment.   This design set will help our lab technicians to construct your veneers. They will abide by the desired size, shape, and color we suggest, and craft your veneers with careful precision.

Once you are ready to get started, we will remove a small portion of the enamel from your tooth to ensure the veneer properly adheres. This part of the process is why porcelain veneers are irreversible. We will take highly accurate impressions of your prepared teeth.  This allows the lab to make custom fitted, high quality restorations specifically for you.

When the finished product is ready for placement.  We will use a low-UV curing light to harden the bonding agent, securing the veneer in place.

Should you feel anxious about your procedure, we are happy to offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or an oral medication to reduce any anxiety and calm your nerves. 

The Longevity of Porcelain Veneers and How to Care for Them

Once your porcelain veneers are in place and you are satisfied with the results, with proper care, your veneers can last 15 years or more. To ensure their longevity, there are some tips we recommend that you follow:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash.
• Keep your regularly scheduled appointments with us.
• Avoid stain-causing foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, or red wine.
• Avoid chewing on inanimate objects like pens or pencils.
• Don’t use your teeth as tools.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports or if you are prone to teeth grinding (Bruxism).

Understanding the Cost of Veneers

Want to learn more about the cost of veneers in Salem? The good news is that we are here to help! If you’d like to get a price estimate with your unique dental needs and smile goals in mind, then we encourage you to schedule a consultation. If, on the other hand, you’d like to learn more general information then keep reading.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Porcelain Veneers

Whether you have decided porcelain veneers are the right method of cosmetic treatment to hide your dental imperfections or you are still surveying your options, Dr. Christel Cochell wants you to feel confident about your decision, which is why she has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about porcelain veneers for you to review. Should you have any additional questions, contact our dental office.

What happens if my porcelain veneer breaks?

As hard as you may try to be careful with your new smile, it is possible to accidentally break one of your veneers. If this happens, don’t panic. Try to stay calm and call our dental office to alert us to the situation. Try to retrieve any of the broken pieces and bring them with you to your appointment.

If the veneer falls off in one piece, it may be possible for Dr. Christel to re-bond it to your tooth. If you chip your veneer, depending on the severity, she may be able to smooth it out; however, if the veneer is completely broken, the only way to fix the problem is to have dental lab technicians create a new one.

How can I avoid breaking my porcelain veneer?

In order to keep your new smile from becoming damaged, there are a few things you can do, such as:

• Avoid eating hard candies
• Don’t chew on ice or inanimate objects (i.e. pencils, pens)
• Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages, etc.
• Wear a mouthguard at night if you are prone to teeth grinding (Bruxism)
• Maintain a good oral hygiene routine
• Commit to seeing Dr. Christel every six months to allow her to examine your veneers

Can porcelain veneers fade like normal teeth?

One of the many reasons patients choose porcelain veneers is because of their ability to cover stains and discoloration. While the coating on veneers is more stain-resistant than regular tooth enamel, your veneers can become stained or fade over time if you are not careful. How this happens can be the result of:

• Hard brushing
• Using an abrasive toothpaste that wears away at the outer coating of the veneer
• Smoking
• Acidic foods and beverages
• Chewing on hard foods or ice
• Excessive alcohol
• Dark-colored beverages (i.e. soda, coffee, tea, red wine)

How many porcelain veneers will I need?

Although we will examine your oral health and provide a suggestion, it is solely up to you as to how many teeth you would like to be covered with porcelain veneers. Some patients prefer to have an entire set while others want only those teeth that are visibly seen. No matter what you choose, you can trust that your veneers will be custom-made to create a beautiful, fully transformed smile.

Am I a candidate for porcelain veneers?

Before you can move forward with receiving porcelain veneers, our team will examine your smile to check for any dental problems that could cause issues with your new smile. If you have cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease, it will be important for you to take care of those issues before having veneers placed. It is best to take care of any oral health problem before pursuing cosmetic treatments.