Porcelain Veneers in Stockton, CA

Veneers come from a number of dental labs and manufacturers, and the material matters. Some require the existing tooth to be reduced before placement; others are thin enough that almost no preparation is needed. Which is appropriate depends on the condition of your teeth and what you are trying to correct.

What veneers correct

Veneers work on the visible front surface, which makes them well suited to problems of appearance rather than structure:

• Stains and discoloration that do not respond to professional whitening
• Chips and small fractures in otherwise sound teeth
• Gaps between the front teeth
• Teeth that are misshapen or noticeably worn
• Minor alignment irregularities where full orthodontic treatment is not warranted

Veneers versus bonding

Both cover the front of a tooth, and patients often ask which is right for them.

Dental bonding uses composite resin applied and shaped directly in the mouth, usually in one visit and at lower cost. Veneers are made from porcelain in a dental laboratory, which takes longer and costs more, but resists staining better and generally lasts longer.

For a single small chip, bonding is often the sensible answer. For several teeth, or for deep discoloration, porcelain usually earns its cost.

What to expect

Treatment is staged over more than one appointment. Your teeth are assessed and prepared as the chosen material requires, impressions are taken, and the veneers are fabricated to fit your mouth. At a later visit they are secured in place and the fit and appearance are checked.

Some types of stain cannot be removed with whitening agents and are better addressed with veneers or other restorations. Rather than spending money on a treatment that will not work, a professional consultation based on clinical experience determines the right course from the start.

To find out whether veneers suit your teeth, request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436. Further reading: the transformative power of veneers.

Getting the colour right

Matching a veneer is harder than matching a filling, because a veneer sits at the front of the mouth where daylight falls on it directly.

Shade is selected against your existing teeth before anything is made, which is the reason for the shade-tab comparison most patients remember from the consultation. Where several front teeth are being treated together the target is a consistent result; where a single tooth is being restored, the goal is that nobody can tell which one it was.

Sequencing with other treatment

If you are considering teeth whitening as well, whiten first. Veneers, crowns and fillings all keep their manufactured shade, so matching them to teeth you intend to lighten later guarantees a mismatch.

Looking after veneers

Veneers are cared for much like natural teeth, brushing, flossing and routine cleanings. The tooth beneath a veneer can still decay, and the gum around it can still become inflamed, so the underlying gum health matters as much as it did before.

Habits that chip natural enamel will chip porcelain too. If you grind or clench, that is addressed first.

To find out whether veneers suit your teeth, request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436. Cosmetic treatment is not usually covered by dental insurance; the front desk can talk through payment options including CareCredit. See patient information.