Fun Facts About Porcelain Veneers

1. Veneers debuted in 1920s Hollywood.

After the First World War and before the Great Depression, the US roared into economic prosperity and fell in love with the glitz and glam of 1920s design and fashion. While homes were furnished with the exotic and luxurious pieces of the French Art Deco movement, dresses were adorned by rhinestones, beadwork, embroidery, feathers, and sequins.

With a taste for beauty and a flair for the finer things, more and more Hollywood actors wanted to bedazzle their smile’s appearance—even before color movies and T.V. To satisfy the demands of Hollywood stars, California dentist Dr. Charles Pincus developed removable acrylic tooth caps for actors to wear during filming in the late 1920s.

2. Though no longer Art Deco, porcelain veneers are still an art.

Making a porcelain veneer look beautiful and natural is so much more than a tooth-shaped covering on the front of your tooth. From crafting each veneer’s contour to matching the exact shade, a good cosmetic dentist skillfully builds a brilliant smile that fits your unique appearance, skin tone, and age.

So while you might not ask Dr. Farless to paint a mural on your wall (you’d regret it!), you won’t regret how your new smile is caringly crafted like a piece of art that always dazzles when on display.

3. One style or size never fits all.

Natural teeth and smiles come in all shapes, shades, and sizes. A good cosmetic dentist embraces this and aims to improve upon what’s unique about your features—not just mass produce the same smile for every patient. The result is a one-of-a-kind smile makeover that belongs just to you.

4. During the application procedure, you won’t feel a thing.

Though porcelain veneers are a non-surgical procedure, a dose of local anesthetic will ensure your comfort as we precisely prepare each tooth and place each veneer.

5. And the recovery period is just a few days.

As a porcelain veneer treatment is not invasive, the recovery period is minimal and you’ll have a beautiful and functional smile right away. Some patients may experience some tooth sensitivity (known as “bonding sensitivity”) or gum soreness as the tissue adapts to your new teeth. Both usually last no more than a few days and can be alleviated with temporary and proper use of over-the-counter pain medication.

6. Porcelain veneers can correct more than the “social six.”

Somewhere along the line, the term “social six” was coined to describe corrections made to your top six front teeth, as they’re often the most visible when you smile or speak. While we certainly help many patients correct these teeth, the potential uses of porcelain veneers don’t end there. For most people, talking and smiling reveals at least 14 teeth (eight upper teeth and six lower teeth), all of which can be corrected with porcelain veneers.

7. Porcelain veneers will help you drop bad habits.

Many people have oral habits that increase the risk of premature or unnecessary tooth damage, like chewing ice or pen caps, biting nails, clenching teeth, or using teeth to open bottles and packages! Because people with porcelain veneers love their smiles and want to protect them, most drop destructive habits and get the necessary treatment they need to avoid clenching and grinding, like wearing a custom night guard and increasing self-care for stress management.

8. And inspire you to take amazing care of your teeth.

A porcelain veneer smile makeover often instills a new sense of pride in people’s oral health and hygiene habits. Because porcelain veneers don’t replace your natural teeth, it’s still vital to brush two times a day, floss daily, and come in for a professional cleaning and evaluation twice annually. What may surprise you is that those actions—which used to feel like more of a nuisance than a need—have a different meaning when you love the appearance of your teeth. Most of our veneer patients now genuinely enjoy taking care of their teeth.

9. Porcelain veneers can be replaced.

With good oral hygiene and routine dental care, your porcelain veneers can last upwards of 20 years. Some things can shorten the lifespan of veneers, like poor oral health habits or accidental damage. When it’s time to update your porcelain veneers, Dr. Farless will sport a pair of microscopic glasses and gently drill off the old veneer—without removing any of your natural tooth structure—ready for a new one to take its place.

10. And, perhaps most importantly, a porcelain veneer treatment can be absolutely life-changing.

Feeling unhappy with your smile affects so much more than just your appearance. Because your smile plays an irreplaceable role in your social interactions and opportunities, how you feel about your smile can profoundly influence your social life, professional success, and self-esteem. While feeling unhappy with your smile’s appearance can trigger social anxiety and block your self-expression, feeling satisfied with your smile’s appearance can elevate your self-confidence and help you express yourself professionally, socially, and romantically. Even better? The act of smiling can actually boost your mood and the mood of those around you. Some studies have even found that smiling more can actually help you live longer.

Because they can correct such a wide range of cosmetic concerns, porcelain veneers can be a life-changing dental treatment with far-reaching benefits to your confidence, social life, success, and sense of well-being. At Farless Dental Group, we are truly honored to help our patients achieve a smile that they love to call theirs. Contact our office to schedule a consultation, share your smile goals, and learn how veneers can help you completely transform your smile’s beauty and appearance.