Do you feel self-conscious about chipped, stained, or uneven teeth? Dental veneers in Charleston may be the solution you need for a flawless smile. At Charleston Dental Studio, Dr. Julie Driscoll uses her expertise to transform smiles by addressing discoloration, gaps, misaligned teeth, and worn enamel. Experience personalized care to achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Conceal Imperfections and
Achieve a Flawless Smile With Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of your teeth, improving their appearance and creating a natural-looking, radiant smile. Crafted from durable porcelain or composite materials, veneers are ideal for addressing discoloration, chips, gaps, misaligned teeth, and uneven shapes. Dr. Driscoll combines advanced techniques and artistry to ensure your veneers blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, giving you a long-lasting solution for a confident, beautiful smile.
Reasons to Consider Veneers:
- You want to cover discoloration or stubborn stains resistant to whitening
- You have chipped, cracked, or worn teeth that affect your smile
- You want to close small gaps between your teeth without orthodontics
- You have slightly misaligned or unevenly shaped teeth
- You desire a long-lasting, natural-looking solution for a flawless smile
- You want to enhance the overall symmetry and harmony of your teeth
- You need a durable option that resists staining over time
Your Veneer Options in Charleston
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are crafted using tooth-colored resin applied directly to your teeth. This involves sculpting the resin layer by layer, bonding it securely to the tooth’s surface, and shaping it for a seamless, natural appearance. The resin hardens under a special curing light, creating a durable shell that mimics natural enamel. While not as stain-resistant as porcelain, composite resin dental veneers in Charleston are an excellent choice for quick smile improvements.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted in a laboratory from high-quality ceramic materials. Designed to fit perfectly over the front surface of your teeth, they are bonded using a specialized dental adhesive. Porcelain is highly durable, stain-resistant, and closely resembles the translucency of natural enamel. The process requires minimal enamel removal and typically involves two visits: one for preparation and impressions and another for placement.
Benefits of Veneers:
- Transform your smile with a natural and lifelike appearance
- Conceal stains, chips, gaps, and minor misalignments effectively
- Provide long-lasting results with proper care and maintenance
- Enhance tooth strength and protect against further damage
- Offer a stain-resistant surface for a bright, white smile
- Customizable to match your desired shape, size, and color
- Boost confidence by improving overall smile aesthetics
- Address multiple cosmetic concerns in a single treatment
Veneers Process
First Appointment – The Design Appointment
At the design appointment, Dr. Driscoll will evaluate your teeth, facial balance, and establish our goals for your smile makeover. We will collect photos, measurements of your teeth, and a 3D scan to design your new smile. The records from this appointment are used by Dr. Driscoll to design the smile. Please bring any specific requests or photo examples to this discussion. If you’ve chosen to do whitening before the veneers, the whitening treatment must be completed two weeks before this appointment to allow for color stabilization.
Second Appointment – Prep / Veneer Prototypes
The next appointment, scheduled two weeks after the design visit, is the most significant and longest, lasting 3 to 7 hours depending on the number of teeth involved. During this visit, teeth are prepared by removing old restorations, addressing cavities, and reshaping them for final veneers. Impressions or scans are taken, and prototype veneers—plastic versions of the final porcelain—are placed and customized for aesthetics, function, and speech. These temporary veneers, lightly bonded and splinted together, allow for adjustments that will inform the final design. You’ll receive a clear retainer for nighttime protection and an antioxidant gel to aid gum healing. Due to the temporary nature of the prototypes, it’s important to be gentle with them and understand that changes are still possible at this stage. Dr. Driscoll advises allowing time to adjust before forming strong opinions about your new smile. Anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed for this appointment.
Third Appointment – Prototype Approval
After wearing the temporary smile for two weeks, you return to provide feedback on the look and fit of your veneers. This appointment is typically combined with the second appointment unless we recommend a separate visit to “test drive” the smile before ordering the final veneers. At this appointment, come prepared to notify Dr. Driscoll of any issues with the veneers, including speech, biting, or appearance, as we can still make modifications. Once you approve of the design of the prototype veneers, we order the final porcelain. It takes 4-5 weeks for our master ceramist to create the porcelain veneers.
Fourth Appointment – Porcelain Veneer Try-In
The prototype veneers are removed, and the final porcelain veneers are tried in. You are numbed again, so you will not feel the temporary veneers being removed or the new ones tried in. Dr. Driscoll evaluates the final porcelain and determines if any changes are needed. Once she is satisfied with the veneers, you have the opportunity to see them on your teeth before they are permanently cemented. After cementation, a scan is made of your teeth for either a night guard or a retainer. You continue using Perioscience gel and return to brushing and flossing as normal. This is the second-longest appointment.
Fifth Appointment - Final Veneer Adjustments
During the final appointment, Dr. Driscoll refines the smile, makes any adjustments to the bite, and tries in the retainers. Photos are taken of your new smile once your gums have healed, and you’ve gotten used to your new smile. You are encouraged to look nice for this day, as we will take final photos in the studio. We can email these photos to you if you want copies!
Veneers FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Composite Resin and Porcelain Veneers?
Composite resin veneers are applied directly to the teeth using a tooth-colored resin material that is shaped and hardened in a single visit. They are more affordable but less durable and stain-resistant than porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are custom-made in a dental lab and bonded to the teeth in a separate appointment. They offer superior aesthetics, durability, and longevity.
How Long Do Veneers Typically Last?
Porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or longer with proper care, while composite resin veneers generally last 5-7 years. The longevity of your veneers depends on oral hygiene practices, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding.
Will Veneers Look Natural?
Yes, veneers are designed to look completely natural. Dr. Driscoll takes precise measurements and uses advanced techniques to ensure the color, shape, and fit of your veneers blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth, providing a radiant yet realistic smile.
Are Veneers Reversible?
Porcelain veneers are generally not reversible because they require removing a small amount of enamel. However, depending on the extent of preparation, composite veneers may be reversible. Dr. Driscoll will discuss the implications with you during your consultation.
Can I Eat and Drink Normally With Veneers?
Yes, veneers allow you to eat and drink as usual. However, to prevent damage, avoid overly hard or sticky foods. Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, so you can enjoy most foods and beverages without worrying about discoloration.
Meet Dr. Julie Driscoll Today
Dr. Julie Driscoll is a highly skilled cosmetic dentist dedicated to creating beautiful, natural-looking smiles. With advanced training, including recognition from the Academy of General Dentistry and her residency in cosmetic dentistry, she delivers exceptional results tailored to your unique needs. Her expertise ensures that your dental veneers in Charleston will enhance your smile with precision and artistry. If you’re ready to transform your smile, schedule a consultation today.
