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Staining, chips, and gaps between teeth can all detract from the natural beauty of your smile. Dr. Charles Porter offers porcelain veneers at our Charlotte office, giving you the opportunity to conceal imperfections and enhance your appearance with this state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry procedure. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth, and can be used for a number of aesthetic applications. Best of all, our in-office technology allows us to create and place veneers in a single visit. You can learn about your candidacy for porcelain veneers during a consultation at our practice. Reach out to us to book an appointment today. 

Candidacy & Planning

During your first appointment, you will undergo a comprehensive consultation and smile evaluation. Dr. Porter will determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure, and discuss your expectations and treatment goals. He can also answer any questions you have concerning financing or other factors that will shape decisions regarding your care. Most patients with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for veneers, which can be used to mask imperfections like irregular shaping, gaps, stains, and cracks. 

If you decide veneers are right for you, Dr. Porter will begin the planning phase of your treatment. To create a blueprint for your new veneers, the doctor will record data about the size, shape, and shade of your teeth. Advanced digital technology will allow your custom-designed veneers to mimic the shape and color of surrounding teeth. He may also analyze the symmetry of your facial features, determining the best way to highlight your natural assets. Impressions of your bite will be taken, and all of this data, along with Dr. Porter’s instructions, will contribute to the design of your customized veneers. Dr. Porter can also provide you with a digital mockup of your enhanced smile so that you can see what you will look like after treatment. 

The Porcelain Veneer Procedure

Veneers may be crafted by hand in a dental laboratory or fabricated in one visit using our CEREC® CAD/CAM porcelain milling unit. The innovative CEREC® system uses a 3D digital model of your teeth to guide the creation of your veneers. Unlike the traditional method of placing veneers, which requires sending physical models to an offsite lab, CEREC® technology allows you to receive your veneers in just one appointment.

In some dental practices, the technique used to place same-day veneers and no-prep veneers is the same. Although Dr. Porter can provide no-prep veneers, he prefers the traditional method of porcelain veneer placement. Removing a layer of enamel keeps the veneers from looking bulky and unnatural, and etching the teeth creates a much stronger bonding surface, ensuring the veneers will remain secure for a longer period of time. Dr. Porter will decide what type of veneer is best for you based on your concerns and aesthetic goals. 

To apply your veneers, Dr. Porter will remove a thin layer of enamel from your teeth. This will make room for the porcelain veneers to lie flush with surrounding teeth. Next, the doctor will gently etch the front of your teeth to create a better bonding surface for the dental cement. Then he will apply the veneers to your teeth. Temporaries will be worn while lab-made veneers are being created, but CEREC® veneers can be permanently secured at the same time. Veneers may be combined with laser gum reshaping or preceded by professional teeth whitening for more comprehensive results.

Contact Dr. Porter

Porcelain veneers can help you achieve a beautiful, natural-looking smile that you are proud to share. To learn more about whether you are a good candidate for veneers, call Dr. Charles Porter today to set up your smile evaluation.