Why Do Some Dental Veneers Look Fake?

You've probably come across a smile with veneers that looked a little too perfect, too white, or somehow "off." More often than not, that unnatural look comes down to poor color matching, an unnatural shape, or veneers that weren't customized to suit the patient's face and smile. 

At Cosmetic Dental Associates, Dr. Spiker Davis and Dr. Matt Guerre take care to avoid these common issues while creating natural-looking veneers in Houston for each patient. Schedule a consultation today and find out how veneers can enhance your smile. 

What are dental veneers? 

So, what are dental veneers? They're thin shells, usually made from porcelain, that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. They're commonly used to correct chipped teeth, close small gaps, or balance out an uneven smile. People tend to choose porcelain veneers because of how closely they mimic the natural translucency of real enamel. When done well and by a trusted dental professional, natural-looking veneers should be nearly impossible for anyone else to identify as anything other than natural teeth. 

Common causes of an unnatural look 

A few common mistakes are usually responsible for veneers that look unnatural. At our practice, Dr. Davis and Dr. Guerre are careful to avoid:  

• Color mismatch: Veneers that are too white or too uniform in shade relative to the patient's natural teeth or skin tone can appear artificial, especially in certain lighting. 
• Incorrect size or shape: Veneers that are too large, too square, or too uniform across every tooth create a "fake" look instead of the natural variation real teeth have. 
• Poor fit with facial features: Veneers designed without considering a patient's face shape or existing smile can look out of place rather than blending in. 
• Lack of customization: Using a generic template rather than a personalized approach often results in a less natural outcome. 

How veneers are created 

At Cosmetic Dental Associates, the veneer process begins with a thorough consultation in which Dr. Davis or Dr. Guerre evaluates your teeth and smile goals. For patients who are good candidates, a small amount of enamel is gently removed from the front surface of each tooth to make room for the veneer. Impressions are then taken and sent to a dental lab, where your custom porcelain veneers are fabricated to match your surrounding teeth. 

At the placement appointment, each veneer is bonded directly to the tooth using a strong dental adhesive and hardened in place with a curing light. Dr. Davis and Dr. Guerre make any adjustments to correct chipped teeth, close gaps, or address an uneven smile, ensuring a comfortable bite and virtually seamless result. Most patients leave with their full smile transformation complete in just two appointments. 

Start your smile transformation in Houston 

If you're considering veneers but worried about ending up with an unnatural result, Dr. Davis and Dr. Guerre can help you achieve natural-looking veneers that suit your face. At Cosmetic Dental Associates in Houston, TX, our team specializes in correcting chipped teeth and an uneven smile with custom porcelain veneers. If you have questions such as, "What are dental veneers?" or want to learn more about our results, reach out today to schedule your consultation.