Veneers in Chevy Chase

Veneers are a type of dental prosthetic designed to correct cosmetic issues with your smile. They are tooth-shaped, thin, and made of porcelain. They are designed to fit perfectly over your front teeth and cover them up, improving the aesthetics of your smile. 
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Veneers are an extremely versatile cosmetic treatment, and can be used to correct almost any cosmetic dental issue, including uneven or slightly-crooked teeth, stains, discoloration, minor chips, and more.

Veneers are designed to replace the front chewing surface with a strong, durable porcelain material. The process for having veneers placed usually takes two appointments at Morrison Cosmetic & General Dentistry. At your first appointment, Dr. Morrison will numb your mouth and remove a thin layer of enamel (usually 0.5mm or less). Then, he will take images and impressions of your mouth, which will be sent to a trusted dental lab where your veneers will be crafted.
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You’ll wear temporary veneers until your permanent prostheses arrive at our office. Then, you’ll come in for your follow-up. Dr. Morrison will check each veneer to make sure the fit is perfectly and your veneers will be bonded into place permanently with dental cement.

• Veneers are low-maintenance, durable, and long-lasting.
• They will be just as strong as natural teeth, and they are also stain-resistant.
• With proper care, veneers can last 10-15 years or longer.
• Veneers look and feel completely natural. They will be indistinguishable from natural teeth when you smile, bite, chew and speak.

This depends on a number of different factors such as the number of teeth that will be treated and each tooth's individual needs. The best way to get an accurate quote for the cost of veneers is to come to Morrison Cosmetic & General Dentistry at either our Chevy Chase or Gaithersburg location for a cosmetic consultation. After your appointment, Dr. Morrison can provide you with a quote for the cost of the procedure.

Good Oral Hygiene - While veneers improve the appearance and function of your teeth, you still need to care for your oral health by practicing good brushing and flossing techniques. You are still susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease even if your teeth are covered with veneers. 
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To keep your teeth and gums healthy, brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. You should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Remember to brush your tongue and floss your teeth to remove bacteria and food particles.
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Reduce Wear and Tear - Your veneers can become damaged, chipped, or cracked if they are not properly cared for. Just like your natural teeth, it’s important to protect your teeth from too much force. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) you will need to wear a mouthguard.
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Porcelain is prone to chips and cracks so you should avoid chewing on hard and sticky foods or ice. Do not use your teeth to open packages or chew on objects like your nails. If you play contact sports, you may also need to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from dental trauma.
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Visit the Dentist Regularly - The ADA advises that all patients should visit the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups every 6 months. During this appointment, we can remove surface stains and plaque buildup to keep your teeth healthy and bright. We’ll also check on the condition of your veneers.

Yes, and no. While the porcelain shells that we call veneers will need to be replaced over time, the preparation of your tooth enamel that is performed before we bond veneers to your enamel is irreversible. 
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Porcelain veneers have a lifespan of about 7-15 years, after which they will need to be replaced. To properly bond the veneers to your teeth and for them to blend in without being bulky, we have to remove .5 mm of enamel from your tooth. 

The veneer protects your enamel and offers additional strength. However, without the veneer, your tooth will be susceptible to damage and decay, so you will always have to keep them covered.

While porcelain is stain-resistant, this doesn’t mean that they are completely fool-proof against discoloration over long periods. If you consume a lot of staining foods and drinks or smoke cigarettes, your veneers can become discolored just like your natural teeth. 
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We recommend limiting your consumption of the following foods & drinks:
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Candy
- Tomato sauce
- Fruit juices
- Berries
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar

When it comes to staining liquids, you can reduce the contact of the drink with your veneers by sipping through a straw and rinsing your mouth out with water after eating and drinking.

To be considered a good candidate for veneers, you should be in good oral and overall health. Your teeth should not be severely damaged, crooked, or chipped. You will need sufficient tooth enamel to get veneers because we have to perform an enameloplasty which will remove a small amount of enamel from your tooth. 
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While this condition will not disqualify you, we don’t recommend veneers for patients who grind their teeth or who play contact sports because of the risk of damaging or breaking the veneers.
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You should be willing to practice good oral hygiene, abstain from smoking, and reduce your consumption of staining foods and drinks. Veneers are a great option for correcting minor cosmetic problems with the teeth but they will need to be reasonably healthy and not require orthodontic treatment or restorations.