Dental Veneers in Burtonsville, MD

How do dental veneers work?

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. These shells are bonded to the teeth, changing their color, shape, size or length. Veneers can be made from porcelain or resin composite materials.

Here’s how the process of getting veneers typically works:

1. Consultation and Planning

The first step involves consulting with your dentist to discuss the desired outcome for your specific situation. We will discuss the pros and cons of veneers to ensure that you make an informed decision.

2. Tooth Preparation

We will remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface, which is approximately the thickness of the veneer to be added.

3. Making the Impression

After the tooth is prepared, we will make a model or impression of your tooth and send it to a dental that will construct your veneer. It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks for the veneers to come back from the lab; in the meantime, we will place temporary veneers.

4. Fitting the Veneer

Once your dental veneers are ready, we will temporarily place them on your teeth to examine their fit and color, making any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit and appearance. The tooth will then be cleaned, polished and etched to roughen the tooth surface, allowing for a strong bonding process.

5. Bonding

A special cement is applied to the veneer and then placed on your tooth. Once the veneer has been properly positioned, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement and causes it to harden quickly.

6. Final Adjustments

After the veneer is bonded, we will remove any excess cement, evaluate your bite and make any final adjustments to the veneer as necessary.

Are veneers permanent?

Dental veneers are considered a permanent cosmetic treatment because a small amount of enamel is removed from the teeth to place them, meaning they’ll always need to be covered. While veneers themselves are long-lasting, they’re not lifelong—porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 20 years with proper dental care before needing replacement.

It’s important to maintain excellent oral hygiene even with veneers. The teeth beneath the veneers can still be affected by decay or gum disease, which could compromise both your dental health and the longevity of your veneers.

Veneers vs. crowns—what’s the difference?

Both dental veneers and crowns are effective cosmetic solutions for improving the appearance of chipped, stained, discolored or misaligned teeth. However, they differ in how much of the tooth they cover and the level of structural support they provide.

Crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth and are typically about 2 mm thick. They’re ideal for teeth that are significantly damaged or weakened, as they offer added strength and protection. Veneers, on the other hand, are thinner—about 1 mm—and only cover the front surface of the tooth. While they don’t provide the same level of reinforcement as crowns, veneers are much less invasive and preserve more of your natural tooth structure.

Both options can help you achieve a whiter, straighter smile that looks and feels natural. If you’re considering cosmetic dental treatment but aren’t sure which option is right for you, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a personalized consultation.

Do dental veneers hurt?

No, most patients do not experience any pain during the procedure. Because it is minimally invasive and involves removing only a thin layer of enamel, a local anesthetic is typically used to ensure the patient remains comfortable throughout the process.