Porcelain Veneers in Bangor, ME

Few of us were lucky enough to be born with a perfectly symmetrical smile. Almost everyone can benefit from cosmetic dentistry and treatments like porcelain veneers to help them achieve a flawless smile.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent option in Bangor, ME to fix chipped teeth, mask mild tooth misalignments, and conceal stained teeth.

Restore Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers

Are you ready for your perfect smile? Make an appointment at Maine Family Dental Practice to get started. Call our office at (207) 947-1166 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Buxton. Meanwhile, check out some of the questions we often hear from our patients about porcelain veneers.

• What are porcelain veneers?
• What cosmetic smile problems do porcelain veneers fix?
• What’s the process like for getting dental veneers?
• Do I have to get a full set of veneers?
• Does getting veneers hurt?
• How long do dental veneers last?
• Can I get porcelain veneers without altering my teeth?
• How can I find out if veneers are right for me?

What are porcelain veneers?

The story goes that the first veneers were used in 1928 by a California dentist. He designed them to temporarily change the appearance of a young actress’s smile. 

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that we place on the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. In some cases, all it takes is one dental veneer to solve a problem with a single tooth. Or, Dr. Buxton may recommend placing veneers on multiple teeth to achieve the results you desire.

What cosmetic problems do porcelain veneers fix?

Veneers may be the most effective way to correct your cosmetic issue if your teeth are:

• Inconsistently sized
• Misaligned 
• Misshapen 
• Badly discolored
• Misspaced

It’s true that in many cases veneers can be used to craft movie-star smiles, but every mouth is unique. To find out if veneers can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, schedule a personal consultation at Maine Family Dental Practice.

Bangor dentist Dr. Travis Buxton may be able to determine if veneers are right for you by evaluating the current state of your smile and through methods like diagnostic mock-ups and cosmetic imaging. Be sure to tell them exactly what your goals and desires are for the future of your smile.

What’s the process like for getting dental veneers in Bangor?

Once you and Dr. Buxton determine that veneers will help you achieve your smile goals, he starts by removing a thin layer of enamel to ensure that your veneers fit well and look natural. Next, we take impressions of your teeth that we use to create a model. We choose a shade for your veneers that match your smile and send the model to a custom dental lab. Skilled technicians handcraft your porcelain veneers in a process that takes about two weeks.

When your veneers come back from the dental lab, we’ll have you return to Maine Family Dental to have them placed. Veneers are bonded to the surface of teeth using a light-sensitive material and a special curing light. Dr. Buxton will make sure that your veneers are bonded securely to the surfaces of your teeth for the best results possible.

Do I have to get a full set of veneers?

Not necessarily! It really depends on your needs and your goals for a more attractive smile. Some people have one or two chipped teeth they would like to conceal with veneers. Others want to improve the appearance of all the teeth that are visible when they smile.

The first step is to arrange an appointment with Dr. Buxton so he can understand what your goals are and how we can help you achieve them. We take all your needs into account because your timeline, lifestyle, and budget may all play a part in the decision you make.

In some cases, we may recommend cosmetic dental bonding as a more conservative alternative to porcelain veneers.

Does getting veneers hurt?

At Maine Family Dental, your comfort is our priority no matter what treatment we provide. Since we have to remove a layer of dental enamel, we numb the teeth we’re treating just as we would with a filling.

When your new veneers are ready, and it’s time to place them on your teeth, we remove the temporaries. Doing so briefly exposes your altered tooth to air, which can be an uncomfortable sensation. For this reason, we also numb your teeth before we bond your new veneers in place.

Many patients opt for nitrous oxide because it is safe, mild, and produces a relaxed, euphoric state. You won’t go to sleep, but the activity around you will seem very far away. Nitrous oxide leaves your system quickly so you will be able to drive yourself home from your appointment.

If you would like to learn more about how we keep you comfortable when placing veneers, please call Manchester dentist Dr. Travis Buxton to arrange an appointment.

How long do dental veneers last?

Porcelain veneers placed at our Bangor dental office are strong and durable, and with proper care can last ten years or longer. You should care for your veneers in the same way you care for your teeth; brush twice a day and floss once and stay current with routine dental exams and cleanings.

Do remember, however, that since your veneers are ultra-thin, they can chip if you bite down too hard on foods like nuts, popcorn kernels, or crunchy chips. Since we have to alter the shape and size of your teeth, keeping veneers is a lifetime commitment.

Schedule A Veneers Consultation at Our Bangor Dentist Office 

The first step in the process is to arrange an appointment at our Bangor dental office with Dr. Buxton. Deciding and planning for your veneers is a critical part of the process because we want you to be delighted with the results. For this reason, we take all the time necessary to learn what your priorities are so we can recommend the appropriate treatment.

In some cases, a combination of treatments like tooth-colored fillings, dental bonding, or porcelain crowns may be a better alternative for you. It all starts with a phone call, so get started today by arranging your appointment with Dr. Buxton.