Veneers are very thin custom-made ceramic covers, which when placed over your existing tooth structure, can completely reshape your smile. Board-certified dentist, Dr. Todd McCracken, commonly recommends porcelain dental veneers to cover teeth that are severely discolored, cracked or broken. At Laser Smile Studio in Denton, TX the process of placing veneers can be completed in two to three office visits. During the first visit, the patient will consult with Dr. McCracken and discuss the new shape and look desired. The next visit will consist of preparing the tooth for the veneer, as well as taking the impressions which will be used to make the custom veneer. We value quality at Laser Smile Studios, so custom veneers can sometimes take 10-14 days to be created in our specialty lab. During this time, the patient will be fitted with a temporary veneer. Upon the completion of the custom veneers, Dr. McCracken will remove the temporary and adhere the new veneer revealing a brighter, whiter smile. 

To begin the process of making the veneers Dr. McCracken must make room for the veneer by removing a thin layer of enamel from each tooth that will be covered. Once the teeth have been prepared, our dental team will make a digital impression of the teeth, which will be used to create your custom veneers. A temporary veneer will be used to cover your teeth until the permanent veneers are complete. The custom veneers will be attached to the front of the teeth with a special resin bonding agent. Dr. McCracken will adjust the veneers as needed to give you a comfortable fit.

Placing your porcelain veneers typically requires three visits:

1. Initial consultation. During this appointment, Dr. McCracken will examine your teeth, discuss the results you want to achieve, and explain how the procedure works. 
2. Preparation. During this visit, he strips off about ½ a millimeter of enamel from the surfaces of your teeth to make room for the veneers that will eventually be affixed to them. Once the enamel is removed, Dr. McCracken takes an impression of the teeth. This impression will be used to construct your porcelain veneers. 
3. Placement. The third and final appointment will take place about three weeks after the preparation. During your final visit, he will sculpt and trim the veneers to fit the contours of your natural teeth. After cleaning, polishing, and etching your teeth, Dr. McCracken will apply the porcelain veneers using a special light that activates the chemicals in the cement and bonds them.

A follow up appointment is usually scheduled for about one week after the veneers are placed to make sure the bond is secure and the fit is still comfortable. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining than your natural enamel, but to keep your veneers in their best condition, it is advised to avoid staining foods and drinks, like coffee, soda, tea, and red wine.  You should continue to follow a good home oral care routine, including brushing your teeth with a non-abrasive toothpaste, flossing, and visiting Laser Smile Studio for professional cleanings and dental exams. With good care, porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years.

Porcelain veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, so it is generally not covered by dental insurance. However, our office accepts  payment options and we can help patients with financing plans to make porcelain veneers more affordable.

To revitalize your smile and hide cosmetic flaws, porcelain veneers can be a great treatment. Teeth that are crooked or chipped, as well as discolored and stained teeth can be camouflaged with natural-looking veneers that are custom made for a comfortable, long-lasting solution. To learn more about porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry options that will optimize your smile, schedule a consultation with Laser Smile Studio and Dr. Todd McCracken today.