Porcelain Veneers

Mesa Dental
Dr. Walter Dukes

Porcelain veneers are new coverings over the entire face of the teeth. It’s probably easiest to think about porcelain veneers the same way you think about false fingernails. A porcelain veneer is a thin piece of custom-made porcelain designed specifically for your mouth and bonded into place. These are very conservative treatments, as they require very little tooth modification, and most of your original tooth structure stays intact.

Our dental laboratory makes porcelain veneers to the exact specifications that you require. We can match almost any shade, shape or contour, and porcelain veneers do not fade or yellow over time. As with any dental restoration, porcelain veneers may chip or wear out over time, but most of our patients with veneers on their front teeth can safely bite into apples, corn on the cob, steak or ribs without any problem! It’s truly a great, beautiful way to perfect your smile. Porcelain veneers can also improve the shade and shape of your teeth.

Porcelain veneers are great if your teeth are discolored or damaged or if there are spaces between your teeth that you’d like to close. Porcelain veneers aren’t right for everyone, and there are some limitations as to what they can accomplish. Before we decide for sure that this is the right treatment for you, we’d love to talk to you more about what’s available.

Porcelain veneers usually require two appointments in our office. After getting you numb, we prepare your teeth for veneers and make an impression of your teeth to send to the dental laboratory. It usually takes the lab two weeks to make your porcelain veneers, so we make an acrylic veneer for you to wear temporarily until your porcelain veneers are finished and ready for placement. At the second appointment, we carefully check the veneers for accurate fit, shade, and shape. We take off the acrylic veneers and bond the porcelain veneers to your teeth. You do not need to be numb for the second appointment, and you will usually be able to eat with veneers immediately.

In addition to porcelain veneers, the team at Mesa Dental also provides the following cosmetic dental treatment options: dental bonding, teeth whitening, smile makeovers, gum contouring and Invisalign.

young happy woman on a beach showing off beautiful smile made by veneers