Porcelain Veneers

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, porcelain veneers may be the perfect cosmetic solution for you. They are among the most beautiful, natural-looking smile enhancement procedures available, and our team at Big Smile Dental can help.

Veneers are perfect for anyone self-conscious about their smile. And many people turn to porcelain veneers to achieve the perfect white smile. They fit right over your teeth, covering up imperfections and revealing a smile that’s nothing short of a masterpiece. If you’re hesitant about smiling because you’re self-conscious about how your teeth look, it might be time to consider porcelain dental veneers to improve the appearance of your smile. 

If you live in or near the Chicago, IL area, give us a call today to schedule a consultation.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are made of thin layers of porcelain material that are permanently bonded to a patient’s tooth. They resemble tooth enamel in color & opalescence to create a beautiful smile. Porcelain veneers cover unsightly teeth and range from .2mm to .5mm in thickness. Because they are so thin, the preparation for this cosmetic procedure requires minimal tooth alteration. These shell-like covers attach to existing teeth and form into the desired tooth shape and color. Recent advancements made in cosmetic dentistry have led veneers to possess the same quality as real teeth, making smiles appear more natural.

Individuals can get a veneer for just one tooth or on multiple teeth. Depending on your requirements, you can also get partial veneers (which don’t cover the entire tooth) or full veneers (which cover the entire front tooth).

Types of Veneers

At Big Smile Dental, we offer various veneer treatment options and will create custom veneers based on your specific needs. Below are a few common types that we cover:

Porcelain Veneers – Porcelain veneers are medical-grade ceramic shells covering the front surface of the natural teeth. They are thin layers of porcelain custom-fit and bonded to your teeth.

Composite Veneers – Composite veneers are often made from a tooth-colored resin, the same type of material used with tooth bonding. However, composite veneers only last 4 to 8 years.

Prepless Veneers – Ultra-thin porcelain shells bonded to your teeth’s front surface. These translucent shells mimic the look and sheen of natural tooth enamel while covering stains, chips, and other minor, aesthetic imperfections.

Minimal-Prep Veneers – Modal-prep veneers are typically created from porcelain material, requiring a small amount of tooth enamel to be removed. The tooth structure is reshaped to allow for a precise fit.

Lateral Veneers – This method involves placing veneers on peg lateral incisors to reshape them. The veneers will perfectly match the surrounding teeth.

Removable or Snap-On Veneers – Snap-on veneers are custom-made, removable prosthetics that fit perfectly over your teeth, hiding conditions like minor gaps or crowding, missing teeth, chipped teeth, and discoloration. They’re often made from resin or high-grade dental plastic.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are a quick and easy option that can boost a person’s self-confidence and correct a range of dental problems. Besides being a quick and natural-looking option, the benefits of dental veneers include:

Stain Resistant – Porcelain veneers are superior to resin veneers in terms of stain resistance. They are also non-porous, making them more resistant to cavities than natural tooth enamel. However, it’s still important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to continue good oral health. Learn more about the strength and stain-resistant nature of porcelain veneers in our Blog: W hat Foods You Can & Can’t Eat With Veneers.

Create a brighter, whiter appearance – Porcelain veneers can provide a whiter smile. They can be glazed in various shades, so if you’re having just a couple of veneers bonded onto your smile, they can match the color of your natural teeth.

They require little enamel removal – While dental bridges and crowns require more enamel to be removed to fit over a tooth or many teeth, dental veneers are bonded to the tooth, requiring less enamel to be removed. The porcelain is durable and protects your natural teeth from damage.

Improve the overall appearance of teeth – Veneers can remove stains and whiten a smile, but they can also fix minor gaps between teeth, ensuring that your teeth are perfectly spaced. They can also alter the height and thickness of the teeth, preserving uniformity and improving the overall appearance of your smile.

In addition to these advantages, this permanent and durable treatment option is excellent for patients with gum issues.

Procedures to Expect When Getting Your Veneers

Veneers are often completed over a couple of appointments to get the desired result. Big Smile Dental has a multi-step process that ensures your veneers fit right, perform optimally, and create the smile you’ve always wanted.

Initial consultation – The first step is a cosmetic consultation with our dental professional, who will examine your teeth to ensure you are suitable for veneers. This involves creating bite impressions and X-rays to determine how the teeth fit together. You will also undergo a thorough dental examination to ensure no tooth decay or gum disease are present.

Preparing your veneers - The veneers will be designed to suit your facial shape, coloring, style, and personality. While you wear temporary veneers, a skilled ceramist at the lab will take that design (mold) and craft the veneers from high-quality dental porcelain.

Final placement - Once the porcelain veneers are complete, your dentist will prep the teeth for cosmetic bonding, and some tooth surfaces may need to be reshaped in order to accommodate the veneer. Once the preparation is complete, the dentist will securely bond them in place, revitalizing your smile.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

If properly cared for, dental veneers can last a long time. While you can eat nearly anything, you should take reasonable precautions as dental veneers are not indestructible. Porcelain is a glass that can shatter when subjected to high pressure. And once you have the permanent ones, they are not removable and will remain in your mouth. However, most veneers can last 10 to 15 years with proper care, including regular dentist visits, brushing, and flossing.

Your Chicago Partner for Dental Veneers

Big Smile Dental strives to offer the most affordable veneers Chicago residents can find. In addition, we’ll contact your dental insurance provider on your behalf, freeing you to focus on selecting your best smile. If you’re interested in learning more, please call Big Smile Dental today. Our team is happy to schedule a consultation at a time that works with your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers & Lumineers

What Is the Difference Between Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers?

Lumineers are a specific brand of semi-permanent veneer that is potentially less expensive than standard veneers as they don’t always last as long as traditional veneers. Lumineers also don’t require any preparation (no shaving down the teeth). However, not everyone is a candidate for Lumineers.

On the other hand, traditional veneers may be a better option if you want to make more drastic alterations. Because every person is different, an individual assessment is required to determine the best type of veneer for you. Our team at Big Smile Dental is known for exceptional cosmetic work and will be happy to help you choose your perfect smile.

Who Are Candidates for Veneers or Lumineers?

Before moving forward with veneers or Lumineers, people must meet specific requirements. Ideal candidates must have good oral hygiene habits and decent periodontal health. Those with significant tooth decay, chronic gum disease, bruxism, or an insufficient amount of tooth enamel must undergo treatment beforehand.

If you’re found to have any of these issues, don’t get discouraged. Big Smile Dental performs examinations and cleanings that improve teeth and gum health, enabling you to get the veneers or Lumineers that will keep your smile beautiful for a lifetime.

Which One Is Right for Me?

When it comes to the future of your smile, it’s vital to make an informed decision. As a premier veneer provider, Dr. Siegel and his team will perform an examination and walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each veneer type. Rest assured that your choice creates the perfect smile you’ve always wanted with our guidance.

Are Veneers Worth It?

Every situation is unique, so whether veneers are worthwhile depends on how you feel about your current situation, how much you’re ready to invest, and how much commitment you’re willing to make to achieve the perfect smile.

Whether you have minor discolorations that make you hesitant to smile or more serious flaws that you want to fix, dental veneers could be just what you need to get your confidence back. And since smiling offers so many benefits, you have every reason to come in for a professional consultation to see if veneers are right for you.