Are you unhappy with the way your smile looks? Do you hide it behind your hand — or simply avoid smiling altogether? If you don’t like the appearance of your smile, cosmetic dentistry could be the answer. 

There are many different cosmetic dentistry treatments available in today’s modern world. In our dental offices, we offer state-of-the-art cosmetic dental services to our Charlotte, NC dental patients who long for a better, more brilliant smile. 

If you have teeth that are misaligned, crooked, or stained, and you find yourself hiding them, there is good news. Porcelain veneers can help you enjoy a flawless, bright smile quickly and without invasive dental treatments.

Dr. H. Justin Harlow has helped countless Charlotte, Pineville, and Fort Mill, NC dental patients achieve the smile they have always dreamed of. If you are ready to flaunt a more confident smile and laugh out loud, we can help. Contact us at Harlow Dental by calling (704) 588-1515 today to learn more.

What Is So Great about Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are often an excellent choice for people who want to fix a number of aesthetic concerns. Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental services at our Uptown Charlotte, NC dental offices, and it is easy to understand why. You can easily create a highly-customized smile with porcelain veneers, and you are also able to focus on the area or areas of your mouth that you would most like to improve. For instance, a cosmetic dentist can use veneers to cover up a patient's front teeth if they are stained and don't respond to teeth whitening solutions.

Veneers can provide a more affordable solution in situations where you want to change the appearance of your teeth. How does having straight teeth without needing years of orthodontic treatment sound? Often called “instant orthodontics," porcelain veneers can cover crooked or misaligned teeth without any need for braces or aligners. 

If your teeth feel as though they are the wrong size or shape for your mouth, veneers can help with that too. Dr. Harlow can use porcelain veneers to reshape your teeth, so they are a better aesthetic match to your face, lips, and gums. Because veneers are so customizable, we can apply them to teeth of nearly any shape, size, texture, or color. Porcelain veneers truly are a great option if you want to discover a smile that feels more like it was meant for you. 

When you choose porcelain veneers from our Charlotte, NC dental team, you can rest assured that you will end up with a smile that is beautiful, uniform, and unique to you. No two smiles are alike, after all.

We love meeting new patients, and we are always welcoming dental patients from the Charlotte, NC area to our dental practice. If you would like to schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Harlow, please contact our front desk during normal business hours. 

Another great aspect of porcelain veneers is that they are relatively easy to prepare for and relatively easy to apply. Once you have decided to move forward with veneers in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Harlow can get your teeth ready almost immediately. 

Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to the outside of your existing tooth structure. This means that our dental team has to prepare your natural teeth to receive the artificial veneer. 

Before your porcelain veneers are applied, Dr. Harlow will prepare your natural teeth to receive the veneers by removing a thin layer of tooth enamel. This enamel is removed to make room for the thin, shell-like structure of the veneers. This process ensures that the veneers will not look bulky on your teeth but will blend in beautifully with the rest of your smile. Your veneers should be very subtle and look just like your natural teeth.

Because Dr. Harlow has to remove enamel from your teeth, this process also means that once your teeth are prepared, the procedure is permanent. For this reason, we always encourage our Charlotte cosmetic dental patients to think about whether they really want porcelain veneers for a few months before committing to the procedure. 

After your porcelain veneers have been applied, you are free to leave our dental offices! Most veneers are placed in a single appointment. The length of your appointment will vary based on the condition of your natural teeth and how many veneers you are receiving. Once you get home, you will be able to chew and eat as you normally would, but when you look in the mirror, you'll have a new, flawless smile.

What Is It like to Live with Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are typically a very low-maintenance cosmetic dentistry option. Living with porcelain veneers should not change any aspect of your daily routine. 

Veneers are designed to look completely natural, which means most people won't even be able to tell that you have them. Also, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, which is a great benefit because it means you'll enjoy a brighter smile for longer. To avoid any potential staining, however, it's helpful to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages, like coffee and tea, and do not use your front teeth to bite into brightly-colored foods such as berries. 

You should continue your oral hygiene routine as normal, caring for your veneers along with your natural teeth. Adhering to your oral hygiene routine is key. You should brush twice every day and floss at least once every day. Also, keep a regular schedule when it comes to dental visits. Schedule routine checkups and dental cleanings at least twice per year with your dentist.

The best way to protect the investment you have made in veneers is to maintain your oral health. When cared for properly, porcelain veneers can give you a beautiful smile for up to 15 years before they need to be replaced! The more attentively you care for your porcelain veneers, the longer they will last. 

Many of our Charlotte, NC dental patients who have received porcelain veneers later come back to tell us what a difference their veneers have made in their overall confidence levels. When you choose to receive porcelain veneers from us, your new smile will be symmetrical and attractive. Veneers can truly cover most cosmetic problems, from the spacing of your teeth to their shape and shade. Since the procedure is also simple and relatively quick, veneers are incredibly popular as far as cosmetic procedures go. 

What Are the Next Steps Once I Am Ready to Receive Porcelain Veneers in Charlotte, NC? 

Now that you have learned more about why porcelain veneers are a wonderful dental treatment option, you can begin moving toward your own set of veneers! We don’t want you to spend another day unhappy with your teeth when there is such a simple way to create the smile of your dreams.

If you are ready to begin your journey, start by calling one of our dental offices to schedule your appointment with Dr. Harlow today. Either one of our Charlotte dental offices can schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Harlow for you. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Harlow will examine your situation and determine the best treatment course. Dr. Harlow and our dental team will be able to tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for veneers. If your teeth are in good health overall, we will likely be able to create a dental veneer treatment plan.

At Harlow Dental, we work hard to provide you with quality treatment and fast turnaround time. Give us a call today at (704) 764-0060, and we will do everything we can to schedule your dental appointment for that very same week. We look forward to treating you!