What’s a Dental Veneer? An FAQ

If you have stained, damaged or misshapen teeth, you may be a good candidate for dental veneers. If you’re not sure what dental veneers are or how they work, these are good questions for your dentist in Houston, TX. Below are some of the most common questions that patients ask us about veneers.

What are dental veneers?

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed on the front of your tooth to hide cosmetic problems underneath. A veneer serves no structural function: it is only intended to make your tooth look healthy and attractive. If you have a tooth that has a spot, stain, or is malformed in some way, a dental veneer can help make that tooth more consistent with your other teeth in terms of color and shape.

What are dental veneers made from?

A dental veneer can be made from a variety of materials including composite resin or porcelain. The material you choose will impact how the veneer wears, how much it costs and how long it lasts. For example, composite resin veneers are a budget-friendly material that lasts around 5 to 7 years, while porcelain veneers are longer lasting and more durable. Porcelain veneers last around 10 to 12 years.

Do dental veneers look natural?

Yes, dental veneers look natural. They’re designed to be difficult or impossible to distinguish from natural teeth. In fact, if you’re only installing veneers over one or two teeth, your dentist will color match the veneers to your teeth to ensure that no one can tell the difference.

Can you whiten your teeth if you have veneers?

Dental veneers cannot be realistically whitened. If you choose to whiten your teeth while you have veneers, your natural teeth will whiten and your dental veneer will remain the same color. For this reason, many people choose not to whiten their teeth if they have dental veneers.

If you have questions about dental veneers in Houston, TX, we have answers. We’re happy to help you understand dental veneers more deeply – just give us a call. Contact Restore Dental at Montrose to learn more about how dental veneers can help you meet your goals for your teeth.