Veneers

Veneers – wafer-thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front of teeth – can fix a range of issues that may be spoiling your appearance.

Getting dental veneers usually takes only a couple of visits to your dentist to give you a perfect, long-lasting smile. The veneer procedure is minimally invasive, requiring little or no anesthetic, and produces instant results.

Veneers are custom-made to mask many types of dental imperfections, and they look and feel like natural teeth. In transforming your smile, veneers can also lift your mood by eliminating feelings of embarrassment about your appearance.

Modern, porcelain veneers evolved from early attempts to make movie stars look more attractive. And the many benefits of getting dental veneers have made them the cosmetic dental treatment of choice among today’s A-list celebrities – and countless other people looking to get a Hollywood smile fast.

How Veneers Transform Your Smile

Dental veneers redesign your mouth by improving the appearance, shape, and size of teeth to restore symmetry and balance to your smile.

Veneers provide a versatile cosmetic dentistry option that can address problems such as:

  • Stained or discolored teeth.
  • Chipped teeth.
  • Worn-down teeth.
  • Small gaps between teeth.
  • Minor teeth crowding.
  • Slightly crooked teeth.
  • Irregular gum line.

A Natural, Long-Lasting Healthy Smile

Veneers give you a natural smile because they’re customized to match surrounding teeth, and they’re made from a translucent, ceramic material that interacts with light in the same way as tooth enamel.

Veneers also resist staining much better than enamel – they don’t absorb the colors of the foods and drinks you consume.

Although incredibly thin, veneers are also amazingly robust. This gives your teeth an additional layer of protection against cavities.

So, with good oral hygiene, you’ll keep your healthy, bright new smile year after year.

How Veneers Can Improve Your Life

Your smile says a lot about you. It’s an important part of your personality and affects how others regard you. For instance, people with an attractive smile are regarded as smarter. Unfortunately, unsightly teeth can make the simple, natural act of smiling problematic.

If you find yourself in this situation, getting dental veneers can have a huge positive impact on your life, professionally and socially. Veneers put an end to feelings of self-consciousness and allow you to feel good about how you look.

Feeling free to show off your smile releases endorphins in the brain, which improves your mood. Furthermore, the body relaxes more when you smile, which promotes a stronger immune system.

How the Porcelain Veneer Procedure Retains More Teeth Structure

Thanks to advances in technology, the porcelain veneer procedure preserves more tooth structure. The veneers are so thin that only a minimal amount of enamel needs to be trimmed in order to place the veneers. This requires little if any anesthetic.

After an initial consultation, getting porcelain veneers typically takes a couple visits to your dentist.

During your first appointment:

  • About half a millimeter of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth.
  • An impression of your mouth is taken so a dental lab can make your veneers.

During the second appointment:

  • The veneers are fixed onto your teeth with dental cement and a bonding agent.
  • A blue, curing light is used to maximize adherence.

You can get dental veneer treatment for a single tooth or several teeth simultaneously.

Looking After Your Veneers

It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene after getting veneers.

  • Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.
  • Use a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush.
  • See your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings.
  • Avoid chewing on ice cubes or other hard objects or biting your fingernails.
  • Wear a mouthguard to play sports.

Although veneers are stain-resistant, you don’t want to overdo it with drinks such as coffee, tea, and red wine.

If you tend to grind your teeth while sleeping (night bruxism), a nightguard can help to protect your teeth and your veneers. With proper care, veneers can last 15 years or longer.

Dental Veneer Costs

As a long-term investment in healthier teeth and an awesome smile, veneers are a cost-effective solution that will last many years.

Cutting-edge technology behind porcelain veneers has made them a popular cosmetic dental option – more effective and less costly.

Besides advanced materials, the cost of porcelain veneers also takes into account the aesthetic and clinical skills of your dentist and the precision crafting of veneers by lab technicians.

Porcelain veneers generally cost around $1,000 to $2,000 a tooth. They’re more expensive than composite veneers but are more durable and create a more natural appearance.

It may be tempting to choose a cheap veneer provider but bear in mind that low prices can be an indication of cutting corners in quality of materials and treatment. And reputable veneer dentists often offer payment plans to spread the cost of treatment.

Are Dental Veneers Your Best Option?

If you have fully developed adult teeth that are basically healthy but you’re unhappy about your smile, dental veneers could be the solution you’re looking for – an effective alternative to treatments such as teeth whitening or dental crowns.

Veneers can also be the ideal option if you want to improve your self-esteem by enhancing your appearance, and you could combine veneers with other cosmetic dental procedures for a comprehensive smile revamp.

Veneers can also be a good choice if you have an uneven gum line. They create a neater look more in proportion with your teeth.

However, veneers are not always the best option for everyone – if you’ve needed a substantial filling for a badly decayed tooth, for instance.

Your teeth also need to be free of active decay or gum disease. If an infection is present, it will need to be treated ahead of getting dental veneers.

And if you have severe tooth crowding or large gaps between your teeth, you’ll need orthodontic treatment – braces or aligners.

Contact us if you’d like to know more about the benefits of getting dental veneers and whether this treatment is your best option.