Porcelain Veneers Benefits
Porcelain veneers are a top-rated cosmetic dentistry service. They offer many great benefits with few if any downsides. Veneers are a proven and highly effective treatment both cosmetically and functionally. There are alternate cosmetic dentistry procedures that can offer similar results, but none are as effective in creating a smile you have always dreamed of in a few short visits.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Your cosmetic dentist will use similar dental porcelain that used to fabricate porcelain crowns. Porcelain veneers are fingernail-like thin pieces of dental porcelain that bond chemically to your teeth to modify the shape, color, and size of your teeth. This cosmetic service allows your dentist to fix any chips, cracks, discolorations, or slight misalignments in your teeth.
Porcelain veneers are also sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” In cases of extreme misalignment, porcelain dental veneers would not be able to make that correction properly without compromising the long-term goal of the restoration.
The best part about porcelain veneers? This cosmetic dentistry procedure is generally completed in as few as two (2) dental visits, and the porcelain veneers are individually customized and fabricated to fit your smile. When completed, they will look natural and complement the rest of your smile. The dental porcelain will mimic your natural tooth in translucency as well as the way the light reflects off your smile.
Marielaina Perrone DDS Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers may solve most or possibly all of your cosmetic dental issues, including:
- Worn enamel – Tooth enamel can wear down or dull naturally over time (drinking soda, tea or coffee, smoking and the use of certain medications), or as a result of a genetics. Dental veneers are the perfect choice for correcting smiles affected by worn enamel.
- Wear and tear – As we get older, our teeth naturally begin to wear down from use. Aged teeth are more likely to be chipped, have cracks or a generally uneven cosmetic appearance. Veneers can restore the natural appearance of a healthy smile..
- Genetics – Some people are born with abnormal spacing between their teeth that widens with age.
- Uneven teeth – Uneven teeth can result from the grinding, and through general wear and tear. This can lead to bite issues (malocclusion) in addition to cosmetic smile issues.
- Discolored Teeth – Some tooth discolorations may not be easily correctable through regular teeth whitening. In such cases, veneers can offer a simple, cosmetic solution.
Are you a Candidate?
To determine if you are a candidate for dental veneers, your dentist will schedule a preliminary cosmetic consultation during which your oral health will be evaluated and all available treatment options will be explored. The veneer treatment is irreversible, so it is important that your dentist discusses any alternative that offers the similar results. If you and your dentist decide that the veneer is the best option for your smile, the next step involves a complete review of the treatment details.
During your consultation, you will actively participate in the “smile design process”. By sharing your preferences for the shape, length, width and color of the veneers. This will help to ensure that your treatment meets your expectations and vision for your smile. It is important that your dentist understand your goals. Important to note, your gum tissue should be free of gum disease.
Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers
- Natural Translucent quality — Translucency means that light can pass thru to a certain level. Our natural teeth allow light to pass thru, so the design of porcelain veneers will mimic those same translucent properties. The way light appears gives porcelain veneers a natural depth, providing for a dazzling Hollywood smile.
- Ability To Close Gaps Between Teeth
- Color matching — If you are replacing multiple teeth, then all your veneers can be a natural, bright color of your choosing. When covering just one or two teeth, matching custom porcelain veneers can be easily achieved to provide a consistently beautiful smile that no one will ever notice are not your natural teeth.
- Lip Enhancement – The extra layer that porcelain veneers add to teeth pushes the lips just slightly outward, which can lead to fuller lips that look very natural. If you desire more attention to your lips, Juvederm dermal fillers can help here as well.
- Cost – While this may seem odd. When stacked up against multiple other treatments to fix your smile, Porcelain veneers will save you money and look better over the long term.
- Protection against Tooth Sensitivity – Worn teeth lacking enamel will make patients feel twinges when exposed to hot or cold. Porcelain veneers will strengthen the teeth by covering the exposed layers of the tooth leading to improved comfort.
Porcelain Veneers – Before
Porcelaina Veneers – After
- Non-porous surface — Porcelain veneers are ceramic glass and are non-porous, preventing future stains from ruining your new smile.
- Long-Lasting Dental Restoration – Porcelain veneers, when cared for properly, can last a very long time. Proper dental hygiene is a must, along with regular dental visits to check there are no issues along the margins of your new dental restoration. Replacing porcelain veneers can be easily done as well when and if that time comes. They will match your existing veneers perfectly.
- Natural Appearance – Your new smile will be fresh and vibrant but natural in appearance. As mentioned previously, the light will shine onto new porcelain veneers just like other teeth in your smile. No one should know but you and your dentist that you have porcelain veneers.
Extra Benefits
- Increase In Smiling! – With your new smile in place, you will smile like never before as you feel good about yourself and enjoy the compliments from friends and family.
Dental Visits Needed For Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneer treatment usually can be completed in approximately 2-3 dental visits. They are as follows:
Visit 1 – Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation
Patients often ask… Are porcelain veneers the proper dental treatment for my smile? At this visit is the time when you will explain your concerns and wishes about your old and possible new smile with your dentist. Your dentist can then explain all your cosmetic dental options and the proper cosmetic dentistry treatment for your smile. They will also be able to let you know if they can meet cosmetic desires.
In some patients, veneers may not be the proper dental treatment for your smile. More extensive treatment may be needed, like orthodontics (either Invisalign or traditional orthodontic dental treatment) or even porcelain crowns. Your new veneers will be able to give you the Hollywood smile you have always dreamed of having.
Visit 2 – Preparation of Teeth
At this dental visit, preparation will commence to accept your new custom porcelain veneers. A small amount of tooth structure removal from each tooth will occur. In some cases, no tooth structure removal will occur (called “no preparation” veneers). Your dentist will be able to keep you comfortable during the procedure. They will do this by delivering local anesthesia to the area.
Upon completion of preparation of each tooth, your dentist will make a custom dental impression that the dental laboratory will use to create your customized veneers. Placement of temporary veneers on individual teeth is necessary until the dental laboratory fabricates the final custom porcelain veneers.
Visit 3 – Big Day For Your New Smile!
Once the dental laboratory fabricates your custom veneers, you will return for placement and proper fit of your new enhanced smile. Once your temporary veneers are removed the new veneers are initially placed on a trial basis in the office to ensure an appropriate fit, color, and shape. If the new veneers meet your and the dentist’s criteria for your dream smile, then the dentist will bond them to your teeth.
Recovery and Post-Procedure Care
Veneers are durable and shown to last for many years before requiring replacement. Seeing your dentist and hygienist for regular examinations and dental cleanings is essential for maintaining the health of your mouth and the longevity of your restorations.
Aftercare is critical. Chipped or fractured porcelain veneers are unrepairable, so your dentist will advise you of the costs and added time of replacing a damaged restoration.
To reduce the risk of damage to your new dental veneers, do not bite or chew on hard objects such as nuts, shells, or bones, and do not use your teeth to open or tear packages. Your dentist also may advise you to avoid certain foods that could cause damage.
Brush and floss your teeth as you usually would, and be sure to use non-abrasive toothpaste. However, brushing after drinking red wine, coffee, tea, or soda is advisable.
Veneers Cost Factors
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than the use of composite resin (tooth bonding). Traditional porcelain veneers can carry a high cost but, when well maintained, can last 10-15 years. Composite veneers cost much less but may only last 5-7 years.
The financial cost of porcelain veneers depends on various factors, including:
- The fee schedule of your cosmetic dentist.
- The artistic and technical skills of the dental laboratory making the veneers and the cosmetic dentist who places them.
- The type of dental insurance you have. Dental insurance generally does not cover cosmetic dentistry procedures.
- The dental material used. Dental porcelain is much more expensive than tooth bonding composite resin.
- The number of teeth undergoing treatment.
Most cosmetic dentists offer payment plans for cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. Ask your dentist about possible financing options. If your dentist does not provide financing, you may qualify for third-party financing through companies like CareCredit. Qualified candidates can work with a financing company to develop a monthly payment plan to fit their budget.
What Are My Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers?
While porcelain veneers are typically an ideal solution for most esthetic smile issues, there may be other treatments that can be equally effective. For example, if your main issue is mild to moderate yellowing or discolored teeth, teeth whitening might be an excellent option for achieving a brighter, more youthful smile. Another example will be if you wish to improve the alignment of your smile. Invisalign could be an acceptable alternative if you have significant overcrowding or additional orthodontic issues that can be addressed simultaneously. At the time of your consultation with Dr. Perrone, she can evaluate your unique needs and present all available treatments, helping you decide on the best option for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do porcelain veneers last?
How does maintenance for dental veneers differ from my normal routine?
Are veneers painful?
The answer is no, yes, and maybe. The amount of pain or sensitivity will vary considerably based on the reduction needed for the teeth.
Dr. Perrone prides herself on being as conservative as possible, often not even reducing your original tooth further than within your enamel. The enamel of your teeth does not have any sensitivity triggers, so our patients do not complain about sensitivity with their veneers. Being as conservative as possible with our dentistry means your teeth do not become sensitive, and you are preserving as much of your natural smile as possible.
Can I use teeth whitening on my veneers?
One of the best benefits of porcelain veneers is they provide a beautiful, youthful smile. Dental porcelain will not fade or wear over time.
Veneers can be polished but not whitened. If it appears your veneers have discolored over time, odds are the tooth structure behind the veneer has changed, or you see discoloration that has occurred between the veneer and the tooth. If you have any concerns about your smile changing colors, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, and we will evaluate and explain the various treatment options for your smile.
How many veneers do I need?
Since each dental veneer is individually applied, the treatment is quite versatile. You can receive one veneer to repair or restore one tooth, get an entire set to reimagine your smile, or anywhere in between completely. The exact number of veneers needed will depend upon your treatment needs, desires, and preferences.
Are Veneers Expensive?
We understand financial cost is a big concern when it comes to dentistry. Typically, veneers are not covered by dental insurance.
The price of dental veneers depends on several factors like materials used, the complexity of the case, and your complete treatment plan.
With cosmetic dentistry, you get what you pay for. It’s not unheard of to see people selling inexpensive veneers. It is unfortunate how often we have had to remove cheap, ill-fitting veneers because they are uncomfortable, not cosmetically pleasing, or just downright unhealthy. Additionally, many of the veneer preparations for those cheaper veneers have removed way too much tooth structure because of that dentist’s skill level and education. The adage is true – you get what you pay for.
Conclusion
Porcelain veneers are a tried and true cosmetic dentistry procedure to give patients a smile they have always dreamed about having. Choose your dentist wisely, as results may vary. A well-trained cosmetic dentist will be able to handle all issues that may arise. Problems can occur at any time, either in diagnosis or during treatment. See your dentist regularly for a healthy, bright smile!
Contact Marielaina Perrone DDS at (702) 458-2929 to schedule a no-cost cosmetic consultation appointment if you are ready for a smile makeover. We cannot wait to help you with your smile makeover to create the smile of your dreams in Summerlin, Henderson, and Las Vegas, NV.