Porcelain Veneers

Many patients who visit our office are surprised by how simple, minimally invasive solutions can make such a powerful difference in their smile! Porcelain veneers are one such treatment that embodies the very best of cosmetic dentistry — lasting strength and beauty attained during a convenient, timely, and conservative treatment process. Porcelain veneers can treat common dental flaws like chips, gaps, misalignments, and deep staining without the need for braces or oral surgery. Dr. Landon Libby, our skilled cosmetic dentist, would be happy to speak with you about your concerns and explain how porcelain veneers can be placed to restore an immaculate smile. 

• What are Porcelain Veneers?
• Porcelain Veneers Benefits
• Porcelain Veneers Treatment
• Porcelain Veneers Cost

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin translucent shells placed over the enamel to restore the proportions of a youthful and healthy tooth. They are custom-crafted to fit comfortably over the front of your tooth, and shaded to match the color of your surrounding teeth. One of the many advantages of veneers is that they require very little prior tooth preparation to successfully place, allowing patients to retain more of their natural tissue. When they are placed by an experienced dentist, porcelain veneers can look and feel like a natural part of your smile! These restorations can be a reliable and sophisticated way to correct an array of cosmetic concerns during a relatively quick and simple treatment process. Conveniently, two office visits are typically all it takes to design, fabricate, and place your custom porcelain veneers. 

What Concerns Can Porcelain Veneers Improve?

Even the smallest cosmetic imperfections in teeth can detract from the appearance of an entire smile. Luckily, porcelain veneers are versatile enough to conceal many different dental flaws that can cause patients to feel self-conscious about their smile. Veneers can be placed to mask:

• Gaps between teeth
• Deep staining or internal tooth discoloration
• Chips in the enamel
• Misalignments
• Teeth that look short, worn, or aged

On top of helping to strengthen the form and function of a tooth, the porcelain material used to craft your veneers bears a natural resemblance to your actual teeth! This can allow the veneers to blend in perfectly with your smile, and no one should be able to detect obvious signs of treatment. 

How is Treatment with Porcelain Veneers Performed?

To begin, Dr. Libby will ask you about your goals and examine your concerns during a consultation. If it is determined that porcelain veneers are the best solution for your needs, Dr. Libby can utilize Digital Smile Design — an advanced dental imaging software designed to create a virtual representation of the potential results. In this way, you can preview your new smile before any dental work begins! 

During treatment, a small amount of enamel will be removed from the treated tooth to allow a comfortable fit for the veneer. This typically involves minimal discomfort; however, our office also offers sedation dentistry options for patients who are apprehensive about the procedure or who experience dental anxiety. Next, Dr. Libby will create a mold of your teeth and mouth and send this impression to an advanced dental lab so your veneer can be crafted. While the veneer is fabricated, a temporary veneer will be placed until the permanent version is ready. At your next appointment, Dr. Libby will bond your custom-designed veneer to the treated tooth and polish it to a shine. At the end of the process, you should have a renewed tooth that looks and feels like a natural part of your mouth! 

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

There is no singular cost for porcelain veneers, as treatment is priced according to each person’s individual needs and factors unique to your situation, such as:

• The number of veneers desired
• The location of the treated tooth or teeth
• The severity of your concerns
• Your individual treatment plan

For price estimates, please contact our office. Our treatment coordinators would be happy to assist you. We understand that quality dental care shouldn’t be sacrificed due to financial reasons, and accept third-party financing from CareCredit^®. CareCredit^® can make the costs of treatment more affordable by offering low- to no-interest payment plans to qualified patients. Please call our office if you would like to learn more about the cost of porcelain veneers or about dental financing in general. 

At Libby Dental, we can help you attain a dazzling smile without invasiveness or a lengthy treatment process! Please don’t hesitate to contact our Mission Valley office to schedule a consultation, or to speak with a member of our team.