How long do porcelain veneers last?

Porcelain veneers last a long time representing a great value. I just replaced the first veneers I did 17 years ago, and not because they needed to be replaced, but because the patient wanted to have a fresher, newer smile. There aren't many things in life that we purchase that is strong, healthy, attractive and adds confidence, for similar cost. We have spent more money on cars that we change in six years whether we need to or not. Your smile says more about all that is good about you than anything else!

Will porcelain veneers look like my natural teeth?

They can be made to look very natural, and nearly undetectable. I have a patient who didn't want her smile to look artificial and wanted me to make her veneers look very natural. We succeeded so well, her husband still does not know she did veneers and her dentist daughter still does not know she had veneers. Yet, her teeth look more youthful and attractive. On the other hand, there are celebrities such as Regis Philbin, who is very proud to talk about his veneers and how white his smile has become due to cosmetic dentistry, and it is very apparent his teeth were transformed. A skilled cosmetic dentist can help you achieve the look you want. Please refer to my article on my websites or the one on Dr. David Hall's website on how to find a cosmetic dentist. There is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry by the American Dental Association, so you have to do careful homework to know which general dentists really have the skills to perform your smile makeover. Your smile matters greatly, and I wouldn't place my smile in the hands of just any corner or family dentist that has not had optimal training and experience.

What are porcelain veneers?

"Veneers " are thin layers of porcelain that are applied to the outer surfaces of the teeth. They can accomplish many things such as making the teeth look newer, and thus younger. They can make chipped and worn teeth newer, freshen up aged teeth, and even make crooked teeth look straighter.