Porcelain veneers in Naples, Florida

Veneers restore your teeth’s outer beauty and improve their overall look by fixing color, size, shape, and spacing. Curious? Our dentist in Naples is happy to assess your smile to determine if veneers are right for you. Call us today at (239) 206-4282 to schedule a consultation.

What is a Porcelain Veneer?

Composed of thin ceramic layers that mimic natural tooth enamel, porcelain veneers essentially create a new outer shell for your tooth by adhering to a tooth’s outer surface. They’re as permanent as a filling or a crown and can cover a variety of imperfections:

Color: Whiten your teeth, even ones especially stubborn to other whitening treatments, by using veneers. They come in a variety of natural-looking shades, so you can match the hue to your existing teeth or take them a step or two brighter.

Size and shape: Make chipped teeth look like new again, lengthen teeth that have been shortened because of tooth grinding (also called bruxism), and fix other similar issues with veneers. They even can change the shape of your teeth to complement your features better if you’ve always thought your teeth looked awkward (too square, too round, too big, or too small) for the shape of your face.

Spacing and alignment: If you don’t otherwise need braces, use veneers to close those bothersome small gaps between your teeth and make other minor adjustments in alignment.

Our dentist in Naples can show you what your teeth will look like with veneers before the treatment starts. First, the dentist will take a mold of your teeth so the veneer has a custom fit and feels comfortable.

Depending on the type of veneers used, the dentist might remove a small amount of your natural tooth enamel (less than 1 mm) to provide for a snug fit. But once they’re attached, veneers are virtually worry-free. They won’t stain, shift, or move around while you talk or eat, just give you a gorgeous smile.

How Is a Veneer Different from a Crown?

A veneer is similar to a crown in that generally no one knows it’s there except you and your dentist. Both dramatically improve the overall look of your teeth by changing the color or shape. But whether you opt for a veneer or a crown depends on the underlying health and condition of your teeth. Because veneers are designed to mask minor imperfections, they are applied only to the front of a tooth.

A crown (also called a cap) fits over the entire tooth down to the gums, making this the better option if you’ve lost a lot of tooth structure because you grind your teeth, have dental decay, or had a mouth injury. Applying a crown involves removing more of the natural tooth enamel (at least 2 mm), but once a crown is in place, it can reestablish a damaged tooth’s function as well as its appearance.

Crowns also hold up better against the stronger amount of biting force between your molars, making them the best choice for structural or cosmetic issues affecting the back teeth.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Barring any accidents to your teeth, your veneers should last for decades. Of course, that depends on your lifestyle and proper care, but as long as you brush and floss daily, your veneers should look radiant over the long haul.

What Are Lumineers^®?

Lumineers^® are a specific brand of specific veneers known for being ultra-thin. They require little to no reduction in the surface enamel of your natural tooth. Yet even though they’re thinner than other brands, they’re also remarkably durable. Lumineers^® have been shown to last more than 20 years with proper care. They’re also highly translucent, so they look like your natural teeth.

How Do I Care For Veneers?

If your veneers cover teeth worn from clenching or grinding, you’ll likely need a custom-made night guard to protect your new smile. Otherwise, you’ll care for your porcelain veneers as you would your natural teeth by brushing and flossing them gently each day.

Keep in mind that as sturdy as veneers can be, they can’t weather everything. Your dentist might recommend that if you have veneers on your front teeth, you not bite into hard foods such as candy apples, for instance. We’d also suggest not using your teeth to rip open packages or snip through plastic price tags on clothing, just as you wouldn’t with your natural teeth.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers in Naples Today

If you have additional questions about veneers or think they might be right for you, we’re here to help. Our friendly and caring staff in Naples can to set up an appointment for you to discuss any concerns about using veneers and how they can fit into your dental care. Call us today at (239) 206-4282.