What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin pieces of dental-grade porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or teeth that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked.
What are the top 5 benefits of Dental Veneers?
There are many benefits to veneers. Here are what our clients tell us are the top five:
-
How long do veneers last? Are veneers permanent?
-
Veneers have a long life expectancy. The lifespan of your veneers depends on the type and how well you take care of them. Porcelain veneers can last anywhere between 10 to 15 years.
-
-
Veneers are a type of cosmetic dental treatment that are highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking.
-
Veneers are often used by cosmetic dentists to treat broken or chipped teeth, gaps, smaller-than-average teeth, or teeth that are oddly shaped.
-
The procedure is relatively painless as little to no anesthesia is needed.
-
Veneers give you a brighter, more even smile as they provide more color stability than dental bonding, thus helping you feel more confident about your natural smile.
How do Veneers work? What should I know before I get Veneers?
-
Veneers may not be right for you if you grind your teeth as the thin veneers may chip. A plastic night guard may be recommended.
-
Due to the enamel being removed during the process, once this is done, the process cannot be “undone”.
-
Your dentist will not proceed with the procedure unless your teeth are healthy. Your teeth should be free of any decay or disease before veneers can be placed.
-
Your veneers may need to be replaced. Though this is a semi-permanent procedure, veneers can come loose as time passes. If this happens, you may need new veneers.
-
Veneers are usually made by a dental lab technician working from a mold provided by your dentist. Veneers are usually irreversible because it`s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.
-
Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure. They are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.
How do I get Veneers? How much do Veneers Cost?
Please contact us if you have an interest in getting veneers. We will start the diagnostic process and provide a cost estimate.
Typically, veneers require at least three appointments:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Preparation
- Bonding
During the tooth preparation visit, usually lasting one to two hours, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. For certain patients, no preparation of the teeth may be necessary. During the same visit, a mold is taken and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers.
During the final "bonding" visit, also about one or two hours, the veneers are placed on the tooth surface with water or glycerin to check their fit and get a sense of the teeth color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, they can be adjusted with various shades of dental cement to match the color of your teeth. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam, or laser, causes a catalyst to be released, hardening the cement.
What should I expect after getting Veneers?
During the two weeks of adjustment that follow, you may notice a change in the size and shape of your teeth. It is important to prioritize your dental health by brushing and flossing daily. After one or two weeks, you’ll return for a follow-up appointment. Porcelain dental veneers are reasonable facsimiles (or copies) of natural teeth, not perfect tooth replacements. It’s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of your veneer teeth upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth.
