What are veneers?
So veneers are a cosmetic service that we offer to give you the ideal smile, the perfect smile. I know a lot of people come in and they ask for Hollywood teeth, and veneers are what will accomplish that. Veneers are usually designated for people that don't have any other dental condition. You know, their teeth are relatively healthy, and the only thing that we're doing is just giving it a little facelift and adding kind of a shell of a tooth to the outside of the teeth to make them look perfect.
When would a dentist recommend using veneers?
Veneers are usually only recommended when there is absolutely nothing else wrong with the teeth. Like there's no decay, you're not a grinder. If you don't have existing crowns or any kind of restorative work on the teeth, veneers are ideal for you.
What is the difference between a dental veneer and a crown?
The difference between a dental veneer and a crown is a dental veneer is just going to cover the outside part of the teeth, so the part that's visible. A crown is going to wrap around the entire tooth and serve as more of a protective covering for the tooth. It'll still look just like a veneer. It'll still give you that perfect smile. So if there is something wrong with the teeth and we still want to try to make it look really nice cosmetically, we're able to do that with the crown.
What is the process for placing veneers, including how the teeth are prepared and the bonding process?
Veneers are prepared a little bit differently from crowns. Veneers are minimally reduced to the teeth. So we don't reduce a whole lot, usually about a half a millimeter to a millimeter, if even that. And we are actually using a bond to hold those veneers in place. So the only thing that will keep those veneers from coming off is that actual bond on the outside of the teeth. So there is no actual mechanical retention with a veneer.
Will veneers and the bonding cement match my own tooth color?
So we do our best to try to make the veneers match your natural tooth color. Ideally, like I tell patients, you know, if we're looking for the perfect smile, the ideal process is to have a veneer on each of the teeth, each of the teeth that are visible in the smile line. But in the case where we are doing a couple of veneers or a single veneer, maybe to straighten up one of the teeth or change maybe the coloration of one of the teeth, we do our best to try to match. We also offer a process where you're able to actually go see the lab technician and the lab technician can match the shade for you so that we get it as closely as possible.
What are the differences between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a more solid veneer. They're going to last you anywhere from 15 to 20 years. They are actually bonded to the teeth as well as composite veneers. But the thing with composite veneers is it's more like a paste that sits on the outside of the teeth and that paste has a tendency to stain over time. It chips. It's just not as solid as a porcelain veneer. If we're looking for longevity of the work that you've invested in, then you want to make sure that you're going with the porcelain veneer.
What can I do or what should I do to take care of my dental veneers?
One of the most important things with taking care of the dental veneers is just making sure that you're brushing. Secondly, secondly to brushing, almost sometimes before brushing, we want to make sure that you're flossing. A lot of times with those veneers, if there's too much plaque or bacteria or food that gets in between the bond of that tooth and the veneer, it weakens the bond and those veneers have a tendency to pop off. It's really, really important that you keep excellent home care, excellent oral hygiene, that you're brushing and flossing twice a day. You also want to make sure that you're keeping your regular dental visits so that if there is something wrong with that veneer, we're able to catch it as early as possible.
How much do veneers cost, and do you offer financing options or does insurance cover it?
The price of veneers ranges. It really depends on how many teeth we're addressing. Sometimes it can be, you know, as low as maybe $3,000 to restore the smile line. And sometimes it's as much as 10 to 20. It just depends on the person, what's required to make sure that we achieve those, the results you're looking for. We do offer financing options for our larger cases. We have several different options, you know, if you have great credit, if you have okay credit, we have options for you either way. So we would be happy to get you in to take a look at you and see what we can do for you.
Veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.
Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.
As with most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.
Reasons for porcelain veneers:
- Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
- Crooked teeth.
- Misshapen teeth.
- Severely discolored or stained teeth.
- Teeth that are too small or large.
- Unwanted or uneven spaces.
- Worn or chipped teeth.