Porcelain Veneers in Apex

Custom porcelain veneers are made to fit over your teeth and cover up any imperfections that are keeping your from a confident smile. During your procedure, Dr. Barker will remove a small amount of enamel to make room for the veneers, take an impression of your teeth, and cement your custom-made veneers on top of your teeth to restore your smile. Visit our office or call us today to learn more about how veneers can improve the appearance of your smile.

Veneers are an investment in your smile and your dental health, and the cost can vary depending on the condition of your teeth. At Cardinal Family Dentistry, we have resources to help all of our patients keep the cost of treatment within your budget. Give us a call to speak with our friendly team and discuss our accepted insurances and our flexible financing options.

Getting a set of veneers usually takes two appointments. First, you’ll need to come in to have your tooth prepared. During this appointment, Dr. Barker will take impressions of your smile in order to create your custom veneers, and you’ll be sent home with a set of temporary veneers.
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When your permanent veneers are complete, you’ll come back in for your last appointment and Dr. Barker will permanently attach them using special dental cement. The entire process usually takes about 3 weeks, and typically takes only a few hours in the dentist’s chair. This makes it one of the fastest and most efficient ways to restore your entire smile and fix cosmetic dental issues like serious stains, gaps, slightly crooked or misshapen teeth.

Getting a set of veneers usually takes two appointments. First, you’ll need to come in to have your tooth prepared. During this appointment, Dr. Barker will take impressions of your smile in order to create your custom veneers, and you’ll be sent home with a set of temporary veneers.
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When your permanent veneers are complete, you’ll come back in for your last appointment and Dr. Barker will permanently attach them using special dental cement. The entire process usually takes about 3 weeks, and typically takes only a few hours in the dentist’s chair. This makes it one of the fastest and most efficient ways to restore your entire smile and fix cosmetic dental issues like serious stains, gaps, slightly crooked or misshapen teeth.

Yes. The placement of veneers requires Dr. Barker to remove a thin layer of enamel from each tooth that is being treated. While this layer is usually only 0.5mm thick, this does mean that it is not possible to reverse the veneer treatment process. It is permanent, and you will need to get another set of veneers if your current veneers wear out or become damaged. However, veneers can easily last 10-20 years with proper care, so proper brushing and flossing is critical if you want your veneers to be pristine for years to come.

No. While a small amount of enamel must be removed from your teeth to place veneers, this is not painful and numbing agents are rarely required. You will feel a bit of vibration and pressure, but we do everything we can to keep you comfortable throughout your entire treatment. Once the procedure is finished, you can get right back to your day-to-day life.

Caring for your veneers doesn’t have to be a chore. Veneers are not a high maintenance restoration, because they’re cleaned in the same way as your natural teeth. That is, you should brush them twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. 

Brush for at least 2 minutes at a minimum, and remember to brush your tongue. Floss between each tooth once a day. There are some additional do’s and don’ts when it comes to preventing staining and keeping wear to a minimum. 

Because veneers are made of porcelain, they are prone to chipping or cracking if they are exposed to wear and tear over time. To prevent any damage from happening to your veneers, you should avoid using a hard bristle toothbrush, eating hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, and if you grind your teeth, your dentist may recommend you get fitted for a night guard. 

You should still attend dental cleanings and checkups every 6 months to remove plaque buildup and surface stains on your teeth. This will also ensure that your dentist can check on the condition of your veneers regularly.

Even though porcelain is a stain-resistant material, over time certain foods and drinks can cause discoloration over time. This will leave your veneers looking duller in color and less vibrant overall, which is the last thing you want. 

The most important thing to avoid when getting veneers is smoking or using tobacco products. This will unavoidably stain your veneers as well as increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, aside from the increased risk of lung cancer.

Limit staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, juices, highly pigmented sauces, and soda, just to name a few. You can limit the contact staining drinks have with your teeth by drinking through a straw. 

While you don’t have to eliminate staining foods and drinks, keeping them to a minimum will ensure your veneers stay a vibrant white color throughout their life. Preventing staining is important because veneers do not respond to teeth whitening.

Yes, teeth grinding will damage your veneers and it will damage your natural teeth, too. This is why it’s so important to wear a mouthguard when you sleep at night if you suffer from bruxism. This provides a cushion between your teeth and the plastic material absorbs the force so you don’t chip, crack, or break your teeth or veneers. 

Unless you are willing to consistently wear a mouthguard to sleep every single night, those who grind their teeth are not considered good candidates for veneers. There is a high risk of damage or breakage after just a single incident of teeth grinding. A mouthguard is also advised if you engage in contact sports, which can cause dental trauma.