VENEERS

Nothing says “Hello!” like a beautiful, bright smile. Regardless of whether you have discolored, misaligned or chipped teeth, that attractive smile is within your grasp. One way our dentists can help you get it is by placing dental veneers.

WHAT ARE DENTAL VENEERS?

A veneer covers an individual tooth with porcelain or composite resin material. People who have unattractive teeth may choose to have dental veneers placed to cover all the front-facing surfaces of their teeth. This is a cosmetic dentistry procedure for people who cannot be helped by simple tooth whitening. We present all the options for your smile makeover, including crowns, gingival sculpting, inlays or overlays as well as porcelain or composite veneers.

ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR VENEERS?

A dentist who is trained in cosmetic dentistry will examine your teeth. We then make a recommendation as to whether veneers are needed and if they can improve your appearance enough to please you. People with the following cosmetic dental issues may be candidates for the procedure.

• Discolored teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Worn tooth enamel
• Cracked teeth
• Teeth that are uneven due to grinding
• Genetic tooth misalignment or spacing problems

WHAT TYPES OF VENEERS ARE AVAILABLE?

The two types of dental veneers are porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers. Porcelain are considered superior in most cases, because they tend to be more durable and can last from 15 to 20 years or even for a lifetime. They are small shells of porcelain. After your dentist takes impressions of your teeth, dental technicians make them in a laboratory where they are fitted to each of your teeth to be covered. They have the appearance of natural teeth, and they are the most appropriate kind of veneers to use for severe cosmetic issues. Composite resin veneers are made of a composite material that is placed on the teeth in layers. Composite veneers are also colored like natural teeth. They can be made in a laboratory or your dentist can create them during the dental procedure. You can expect composite veneers to last about 5 to 7 years, or 10 years at most. The material is not as durable as porcelain, and it requires you to take special care of your teeth, to avoid biting down on hard objects and to be vigilant in telling your future dental hygienists not to use abrasive materials like pumice to clean your teeth.

BENEFITS AND COSTS OF DENTAL VENEERS

In addition to immediately beautifying your smile, dental veneers can improve your oral health. We place them carefully to protect your teeth in much the same way as natural enamel does. The procedure to place veneers is less invasive and requires less shaping of the teeth than the procedure to place crowns. Although the cost is usually not covered by dental insurance, we can help you explore financing options. Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers, but many people find that the increased durability is worth the additional cost. When you choose our dentists to place the veneers for you, you can count on expert cosmetic dentistry and post-treatment routine care.