Will Porcelain Veneers Look Natural? Answers in Bethlehem, PA

Porcelain veneers can change the color, shape and size of the teeth you see when you smile. If you're thinking about them, you probably want to know whether they'll look like your own teeth. With careful planning and a skilled dental lab, they can. At Always About Smiles, Dr. Thomas Lambert plans your veneers with you and places Da Vinci veneers, the type he has come to rely on. Here are friendly answers to the questions patients in Bethlehem, PA ask about porcelain veneers.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth to change their color, shape, size or length. The American Dental Association describes veneers as an option for teeth that are chipped, discolored, worn or unevenly spaced.

Each veneer is designed to sit flush and comfortable with your smile, usually after a thin layer of enamel is gently shaped. Because veneers are a long-term choice, we start with a relaxed planning conversation and take our time with it, so you feel confident about every detail.

You can read more about porcelain veneers and cosmetic dentistry at Always About Smiles on our cosmetic dentistry page.

Will porcelain veneers look natural?

Well-planned porcelain veneers can look like natural teeth. According to the ADA, porcelain resists stains and reflects light much the way natural enamel does, which helps veneers blend in beautifully with the teeth around them.

The lab that makes your veneers matters as much as the material. Veneers have become a big part of our work over the last couple of years, and Dr. Lambert sees the type of veneer we use as one of the main things that sets our results apart.

Shade is part of the plan, too. Whitening brightens natural teeth, and the ADA notes that whitening doesn't change the color of veneers or crowns. So if you'd like your other teeth brighter as well, just let us know before your veneer shade is chosen. We offer KöR whitening, so both can be planned together for a smile that matches.

What happens when you get porcelain veneers?

Getting porcelain veneers takes a few visits, and you'll know what to expect at each one. Here's how the steps generally go at our office:

1. A planning visit with an exam and x-rays, so Dr. Lambert can check the health of your teeth and gums and talk through what you'd love your smile to look like.
2. Impressions of your upper and lower teeth, which the lab uses to build your veneers.
3. Gentle shaping of the teeth that will receive veneers, then temporary veneers to wear while the lab makes your final ones.
4. Placing your porcelain veneers, checking your bite and fine-tuning the shape where it's needed.

Can I get porcelain veneers if I grind my teeth?

Often, yes. Grinding is something Dr. Lambert plans for before any veneers are made. The ADA notes that a dentist can fit you with a mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep, and the same kind of protection helps your veneers stay beautiful.

If you grind or clench, just mention it at your planning visit. Dr. Lambert may recommend a night guard to protect your new smile. Ours are made by a dental lab from hard acrylic, designed by Dr. Lambert, because a hard surface gives your jaw muscles a signal to relax instead of chew.

Why do Bethlehem, PA patients choose Always About Smiles and Dr. Lambert for porcelain veneers?

You work with Dr. Lambert from the first conversation to the final bite check. He trained at Temple University School of Dentistry, where he graduated top of his class, and he holds Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Our practice has cared for Lehigh Valley families since 1988, and you see the same dentist at every visit.

Dr. Lambert also brings a musician's eye to front teeth. He plays clarinet and saxophone with The Allentown Band, and he treats wind musicians whose playing depends on the exact length and position of their teeth. As our wind musician page explains, even half a millimeter of length can make a difference to a horn player's highest notes, so he designs with that in mind. If you play a wind instrument, Dr. Lambert encourages you to bring it in so he can see how you play before your veneers are designed.

You can see before-and-after photos of patients of our practice in our smile gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are porcelain veneers a long-term choice?

Yes. A thin layer of enamel is usually shaped so each veneer sits flush with your smile, which is why we start with an unhurried planning conversation so you feel sure about your new look.

Can I whiten my teeth along with veneers?

Yes. Whitening brightens natural teeth, so just let us know before your veneer shade is chosen and we'll plan both together.

How many visits do porcelain veneers take?

A few: a planning visit, impressions, gentle shaping with temporary veneers, and then placing your final veneers and checking your bite.

Can I get veneers if I play a wind instrument?

Yes, with planning. Bring your instrument in so Dr. Lambert can see how you play before your veneers are designed.

Wondering whether porcelain veneers are right for your smile? Call our Bethlehem dental office at (610) 868-9928 or send us a message, and we'll set up a time for you to talk through your goals with Dr. Lambert.

Published by Always About Smiles.