Are dental veneers permanent?

What to expect when enhancing your smile!

At El Paso Modern Dentistry, we get lots of questions about dental veneers from our valued patients throughout our corner of western Texas. This makes sense because veneers are a very popular cosmetic procedure. One of the most frequently asked questions that we get has to do with, Are dental veneers permanent? We say, “It depends.” 

There are different types of veneers. Only our skilled and experienced dentist, Dr. Enrique Darancou, will be able to make the best recommendation in partnership with you and following a thorough exam at our office. 

Veneers options 

There are generally two different types of veneers: 

• Direct veneers
• Indirect veneers

Also called “dental bonding,” direct veneers are made with dental composites, a type of resin. The composite is placed directly on the front surfaces of “imperfect” teeth as a putty-like material. Dr. Darancou then uses his artistic and technical talents to shape the resin, which is color-matched to blend in with the appearance of the natural teeth. Once he has perfectly shaped and used the material to disguise chips, small cracks, excess spaces between teeth, and other cosmetic concerns, it is hardened and “bonded” (fixed securely) to the tooth. 

Direct veneers are considered to be a reversible procedure because they do not require the removal of natural tooth enamel. Simply, the surface of the tooth is slightly abraded and conditioned. This step helps to ensure the strongest bond between the natural tooth and the composite. Dental bonding may be an attractive option due to the “reversible” nature of the process, as well as the fact that it can be completed in just one visit. It is also an affordable alternative when compared to indirect veneers. 

Indirect veneers may be fabricated from composite or dental ceramics, such as porcelain. The material is prepared in a lab to match the unique size, shape, color, and other characteristics of the tooth (or teeth) to be treated. The teeth must also be “prepared.” A tiny amount of enamel is removed to accommodate modern veneers. That way, the dental material will fit properly on top of the tooth. This step also helps to ensure that the veneers look and feel like “real teeth” and supports the strongest bond between veneer and tooth. 

However, this feature also means indirect veneers are considered an “irreversible” procedure. We are confident you will not want to “reverse” this procedure, though! After all, our patients love how their smiles look with veneers. Due to the ability of dental porcelain to mimic the natural characteristics of a tooth, your smile, after treatment, looks better. It complements your face – not fake, “too perfect,” or overly white and smooth like Chiclets (the gum).

Veneers can last long with good home care and routine dental check-ups at El Paso Modern Dentistry. As a technique-specific procedure, veneer results depend heavily on the skill and experience of the person placing them. Our patients can trust the expertise of Dr. Enrique Darancou. When his talents blend with our use of quality materials, you have a powerful combination! More questions? Call us! Our friendly, bilingual team can be reached at (915) 581-4440. Or, contact us from this website at your leisure.