Veneers
Dental Veneers in Manassas Park, VA
There’s no reason to live with stained, chipped, gapped, or oddly shaped teeth. A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell placed over the front of a tooth to correct exactly those kinds of cosmetic issues. Veneers are part of our cosmetic dentistry services at Railroad Dental Associates, and one of the most popular options for patients in Manassas Park, Manassas, Centreville, and Clifton because of how natural the results look.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells, most often made of porcelain, custom-crafted to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. To place them, we remove a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth to make room for the veneer, then take an impression that’s sent to a dental lab to fabricate your custom shells.
What Can Veneers Fix?
- Discolored or stained teeth that haven’t responded well to whitening
- Chipped, worn, or slightly broken teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are misaligned or oddly shaped
Veneers vs. Other Options
Veneers vs. Bonding
Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored resin applied directly to the tooth, usually in a single visit and at a lower cost than veneers. Veneers require a lab-fabricated shell and typically two visits, but tend to be more durable and more resistant to staining over time.
Veneers vs. Crowns
A veneer only covers the front surface of a tooth and is meant for cosmetic changes to an otherwise healthy tooth. A crown fully covers the tooth and is used when a tooth is structurally damaged or weakened, not just cosmetically imperfect.
Veneers vs. Invisalign
Veneers change the appearance of a tooth’s surface; they don’t move teeth. If the main concern is crooked or misaligned teeth rather than color or shape, Invisalign may be the better fit, and in some cases patients use both, straightening first with Invisalign, then addressing remaining cosmetic details with veneers.
What to Expect: The Veneer Process
Getting veneers typically takes two visits. At the first, we prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of enamel and take an impression, sometimes placing temporary veneers while your custom shells are fabricated. At the second visit, we check the fit and color match before permanently bonding the veneers in place.
Caring for Your Veneers
Veneers resist staining better than natural enamel, but they aren’t stain-proof. We generally recommend limiting coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to help keep them looking their best. Otherwise, normal brushing, flossing, and regular checkups are all that’s needed, and avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite down on very hard objects, which can chip a veneer just as it could a natural tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do veneers last?
Porcelain veneers typically last ten to fifteen years with good care, sometimes longer.
Are veneers permanent?
Yes, in the sense that a small amount of enamel is removed to place them, which can’t be undone. The veneers themselves will eventually need replacement as they age.
Do veneers stain?
They resist staining better than natural teeth, but heavy coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco use can still affect their appearance over time.
What’s the difference between veneers and crowns?
Veneers cover only the front surface of a tooth and are used for cosmetic changes to an otherwise healthy tooth. Crowns fully cover the tooth and are used when the tooth itself is damaged or weakened.
Are veneers covered by insurance?
Usually not, since veneers are typically considered a cosmetic procedure. Our financial info page has more detail, or call our office to check your specific benefits.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to talk through your options, call Railroad Dental Associates at 703-810-3554 or request an appointment online to schedule a veneer consultation.