Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers in San Antonio, TX

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option for those that want to improve their smiles, but how do veneers work? At Local Dental San Antonio, Dr. Joung Lee and Dr. Minkyung Lee provide porcelain veneers for patients who want to improve their smile’s appearance and function.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin yet durable ceramic shells that cover the front of the teeth and are attached with strong dental cement

Hide deep-set stains, gaps, cracks, or chips
Enhance the size of their teeth
Cover and seal damaged teeth
Strengthen thin enamel

Treatment Expectations

For new patients, we strongly suggest filling out new patient forms and submitting insurance information for a more efficient first visit.

How long does the veneer procedure take? The veneer process is typically spread over two appointments and can take a few weeks to complete.

Furthermore, we’ve outlined what to expect before, during, and after each porcelain veneers treatment.

Before

During the first visit, our cosmetic dentists establish candidacy, curate an individualized treatment plan, and prepare the teeth for veneers. After deciding that porcelain veneers match the patient’s goals and current dental status, our dentists prepare the teeth by numbing the area, then reshaping and etching the enamel to ensure that the veneers will fit perfectly in the patient’s mouth (without protruding or changing the bite pattern). Also, they take impressions of the teeth and send them to our trusted dental laboratory so that laboratory technicians can create final veneers. In the meantime, our cosmetic dentists place temporary veneers for protection, function, and aesthetics.

During

When the veneers return from the laboratory, a team member will call the patient back for a fitting. Before permanently bonding the veneers to the teeth, our dentists place the veneer on the tooth to ensure that the color and fit match the natural smile—adjusting as needed. Once satisfaction is achieved our dentist bonds the tooth with dental cement and a UV light once satisfaction is achieved. Finally, our dentists check the bite, adjust as needed, and remove excess adhesive.

After

Generally, it takes about two weeks for veneers to settle and for the bite to normalize—which might affect daily activities like eating or speaking. Most cosmetic dentists suggest taking care of your veneers like natural teeth, but with extra precautions like avoiding foods that might chip or wear down your veneers or the adhesive used to attach the veneer itself. How long do veneers last? Typically, porcelain veneers warrant replacement every 10 to 20 years. Are veneers permanent? In short, yes, veneers are permanent and must be replaced if damaged.

Experience the Best of Both Worlds: Porcelain Veneers

Do you want to improve your smile functionally or aesthetically? Don’t settle for less, and choose the cosmetic dentistry technique that corrects cosmetically and functionally. Consult with Drs. Joung and Minkyung Lee to see if you qualify for porcelain veneers.

Take advantage of our online booking or conveniently call (210) 686-1486. The San Antonio community can trust the Local Dental team to keep individuals and families healthy, happy, and feeling at home.