Looking for a beautiful smile that will dazzle your friends and family? Come to Ideal Smile to get the teeth of your dreams. We have many options and services that we provide, but below will be a breakdown about Porcelain Veneers. If the information you have read has you asking questions or you would like even more information please call our office.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are custom made tiny pieces of porcelain that are bonded to your natural teeth. They work as a front-bonded fit that perfect your teeth, restoring your teeth back to your beautiful smile. This means they are applied to the front of your teeth like a thin shield of tooth-like material. Veneers can also be used to adjust the size and length of your teeth to your preference. They can also be used to protect your teeth or fix your teeth from damage.
When would porcelain veneers be needed?
If you are suffering from chipped, discolored, misaligned, or gapped teeth than porcelain veneers may be for you. Porcelain veneers are very common and are used by many celebrities in order to achieve a perfect and bright smile. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and wish to perfect them, porcelain veneers are a great option to do so.
Are they Permanent?
The short answer is yes. Once the veneers are in place the procedure is typically irreversible since when they were put on, the dentist shaved down the front of your teeth and removed some of your natural enamel. However, the actual veneer itself isn’t a forever fix. With proper care and caution, porcelain veneers can last anywhere between 10-15 years before a replacement is needed. Depending on the damage, the veneers may need slight cosmetic repairs or an entire replacement.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are great for people who are looking to achieve their naturally beautiful smile by covering their teeth that are already there. The benefits are numerous and are listed below.
Natural looking and feeling
Since the veneer is custom fitted to your specific tooth or teeth and fit like a shield, they are typically very natural looking and feel like a real tooth. This makes the fact that they aren’t your teeth almost impossible of knowing unless someone was told that they were veneers. They are meant to fit your natural tooth unless specified, therefore they look like the teeth you are used to seeing and feeling on a daily basis. Also, your natural teeth are mostly preserved due to the veneer only being fitted to the fronts of your teeth rather than the whole entire tooth.
Creates a bright and beautiful smile
Some people struggle to get their own teeth as white as they wish and even with the help of various whitening methods, they aren’t ever white or bright enough. Since veneers are made of a different material that is toothlike, they can help anyone achieve a beautifully bright smile regardless of how white-resistant their natural teeth were.
How Long Does it Take to Get Porcelain Veneers?
Unlike some other dental procedures, getting porcelain veneers only require 2 to 3 trips to the dentist’s office. To receive your final veneers it can take 1-2 weeks for them to arrive and be placed.
First Visit
Usually, the first visit is a consultation where the dentist will walk you through the process and give you whatever information is necessary regarding your porcelain veneers. The dentist will also discuss your oral hygiene to ensure that you are a good candidate for veneers and that veneers are the best option for you. The doctor will take pictures of your original teeth and take impressions that will be used to later develop the veneers. X-Rays will also be administered so that the dentist can get a clear picture of your mouth’s and teeth’s structure. Typically, some sort of mock-up is created so that the patient can get an idea of what their new smile will look like.
Subsequent Visits
The teeth that will be receiving the veneers are prepared accordingly by removing the enamel from the tooth. Then the dentist will take an impression of your teeth again to ensure measurements are accurate. These impressions are then sent to an off-site lab where the veneers will be crafted with the highest quality of porcelain that resists chipping and staining, making them very durable and long lasting. Temporary veneers are usually put in place in the meantime since the lab can take 1-2 weeks. Then, once received the permanent veneers are placed and the patient is left with a beautiful and natural looking smile.
How to Care for your Veneers
In order to ensure that your veneers last as long as they can and look great while doing so, you should take careful care of your teeth and follow a comprehensive oral care routine.
Maintain consistent oral hygiene
Just like natural teeth, veneers should be thoroughly cleaned twice a day. This is just like normal teeth and means brushing, flossing, and rinsing as often as you would with natural teeth. Switching to a whitening toothpaste can preserve the whiteness of your veneers. Floss carefully to prevent breakage and consider investing in a WaterPik, which operates the same way was floss but can be easier and more effective in cleaning between the teeth and the gumline.
Avoid damaging foods and drinks
To aid in the longevity of your veneers it is best to avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. Also, it is best to avoid very hard foods that can possibly crack or cause damage to your veneers. When consuming possibly staining foods brush afterward to make sure that your veneers remain as white as possible.
How much do Porcelain Veneers cost?
The cost for veneers can vary based on insurance coverage and financing. There are payment options that make it a more affordable procedure, however, they are considered expensive at about $925- $2,000 a tooth. If this number panics you, please keep reading to learn about payment options. Regardless, the price point should not be the ultimate deciding factor as all veneers are not created equally and porcelain veneers can give the best looking result.
Private Insurance
Typically, your private dental insurance provider will not cover veneers as it is considered cosmetic dentistry. In some rare cases, insurance will cover some of the cost if certain documents are submitted that indicates that the procedure is absolutely necessary in order to better your health and quality of life. However, dental insurance may cover work that is done to the veneers after the fact. Each provider is different, but typically cosmetic dentistry is not covered.
Dental Financing
If paying out of pocket isn’t possible, there are options to finance the cost in order to make them more affordable. There are a plethora of different agencies that offer to finance at varying rates. Your dentist may also have payment plans that allow for certain chunks of the procedure to be paid for at a certain time which can help in making the cost more manageable. If they do not offer such a thing, it is best to ask anyway and see if they are willing to work with you. Regardless, it is wise to discuss with your doctor’s different plans that can make the price of porcelain veneers more affordable.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers have the potential to last a lifetime with the correct maintenance by the patient, regular flossing and dental check-ups at least twice a year with our experienced hygienist. Veneers for teeth are durable. They are highly resistant to staining and chipping.
Now is the time to break bad habits like nail biting or pencil biting. Chewing on hard objects could damage your veneers just like they damage your teeth. We only use the highest quality porcelain made
Call us today to schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Baluyan. We look forward to speaking with you.