Have you ever felt like your smile was missing something? Do you have teeth
that are broken, discolored, crooked, gapped, or misshapen? If so, you could
probably benefit from porcelain veneers. These ceramic coverings are extremely
thin and fit snugly over the front-facing surfaces of your teeth to mask all
kinds of flaws in just one simple procedure. No longer will you have to suffer
through having a flawed smile. If you’re interested in fixing the
imperfections in your grin,
contact us today for a consultation
to see if porcelain veneers are the right choice for you.
What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?
The main benefit of these wafer-thin porcelain coverings is that they can
conceal multiple smile flaws at once. Pretty much any cosmetic imperfection
in your grin can easily be corrected with veneers. They will allow you to
smile with confidence once again, since they look, feel, and function just
like natural tooth enamel. They are highly resistant to stains, so you
won’t have to worry about future discoloration.
Veneers also allow you to keep more of your natural tooth structure than
some other cosmetic treatments, like crowns. Once your remove enamel from
the tooth, it’s gone forever. That’s why it’s important to
keep as much of it as you can. Porcelain veneers require that a tiny sliver
of enamel be removed to ensure that they lay flush against your teeth, but
the amount is minimal, and it will be worth it to see your beautiful pearly
whites smiling back at you in the mirror.
Finally, veneers require very little effort to maintain. In fact, taking
care of them is quite similar to caring for your natural teeth. Just
remember to brush and floss every day, and schedule a
checkup and cleaning
with us at least once every six months.
What Issues Can Porcelain Veneers Fix?
Porcelain veneers can be used to correct a wide variety of smile flaws, such
as:
- Slight gaps between teeth
- Teeth that misshapen, rotated, or slightly misaligned
- Teeth that are discolored
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
If these issues have been bothering you for a while, perhaps it’s time
to give veneers some consideration.
What Is the Veneers Process Like?
After we determine that veneers are right for you with a consultation, the
process takes two appointments. The first visit is about preparation. Either
Dr. Blake or Dr. Tolzman will trim a small amount of enamel from your teeth to make room for the
veneers. Local anesthetic may or may not be necessary. Next, we’ll
take impressions of your prepared teeth, which are then sent to our dental
lab. We can fix you with temporary veneers to wear until your permanent ones
are ready.
You’ll have to return to our office in two to four weeks, whenever
your new smile is ready. From there, we will permanently bond your veneers
to your teeth. Your smile is instantly transformed, and all your
imperfections are corrected at once. With regular maintenance, your veneers
can last up to fifteen years before they need to be replaced.
Veneers vs. Other Cosmetic Dentistry Services: Comparing the Costs
Here at Beverly Farms Dental, we offer a number of cosmetic dentistry services aimed at improving smiles and confidence. Depending on your unique desires, your cosmetic dentist in Beverly can recommend which treatment would be right for you, as well as how it would affect the cost of your care. Consider how the cost of veneers compares to some of our other cosmetic dentistry services:
- Orthodontics – Whether you choose traditional braces or clear aligners like Invisalign and ClearCorrect, orthodontic treatment can make a world of difference if you have slightly to severely crooked teeth. It is, however, a major investment in time and money. Also, it can only improve the alignment of your teeth, but not their size, shape, or color.
- Teeth whitening – Our professional teeth whitening kits produce truly dazzling results that over-the-counter options simply cannot deliver. Although this option takes mere weeks and is affordable for most patients, the only aspect of your teeth that it can change is their color. The results also will only last for a year or so at most, so you’ll have to consider the added costs of touch-ups over time.
- Dental bonding – Bonding is a quick and easy way to fix several types of flaws at once, from small gaps to stains to chips and more. While bonding is one of the least expensive options available, the procedure will need to be redone every few years.
- Veneers – As the most comprehensive cosmetic service we offer, veneers in Beverly can transform virtually everything about your pearly whites in a single treatment. The process takes only a couple of visits to our office, and the results can easily last for a decade or even two. Veneers aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re well worth it if you want to make your dream smile come to life!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Most dental insurance plans will not cover the cost of cosmetic treatments like veneers, but there are still options for making your new smile affordable. At Beverly Farms Dental, we gladly accept CareCredit and can even help you apply for one of their payment plans. With several low- to no-interest plans to choose from, you can split up the cost of your veneers into monthly chunks rather than one lump sum, making it more budget-friendly.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
Once you’ve received your permanent veneers, you should be able to enjoy most foods without too much concern (although hard, crunchy, or darkly colored options should be consumed with caution). It’s more so your temporary veneers you’ll need to pay closer attention to while you’re waiting for your final veneers to be made. For example, we do not recommend any hard foods, such as candy, raw fruits, or raw vegetables. Do not consume sticky foods either as they could cause the temporaries to come off. Temporary veneers can also stain more easily, so try to skip any darkly colored or pigmented foods while you wait. Alcohol can weaken the bonding material used to hold the temporaries, so drink it sparingly to avoid any complications.
Do Veneers Feel Like Real Teeth?
When veneers are placed correctly, they should feel incredibly natural inside your mouth. In fact, you should not even notice them when talking or eating. They are crafted carefully to fit exactly as needed based on the impressions we capture in-office. Since we remove a small amount of enamel beforehand, they should sit flush and fit in next to your existing teeth. Porcelain is also incredibly smooth, meaning it won’t irritate the soft tissues of your mouth (or become stained as easily compared to natural enamel).
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?
If your tooth has a cavity or is experiencing some sort of decay, it should not receive a veneer. The issue will only grow worse underneath the veneer and therefore more difficult to treat if it is covered. Gum disease can also make receiving veneers more tricky, especially if you are experiencing bleeding or swelling. Not only will the impressions fail to come out correctly, but the veneers won’t fit right either. If your gums continue to recede, the margin of the veneer could also be revealed.
Another reason we wouldn’t recommend veneers is if you have a teeth grinding/clenching problem that could cause them to be fractured or worn down.
Is It Painful to Get Veneers?
Your mouth is effectively numbed ahead of receiving your veneers, so you should not feel any sensations during your procedure. It is normal to have some sensitivity while the temporary veneers are attached, but this is more likely when you plan to have many veneers placed. For example, two to four veneers should trigger little to no discomfort, but eight or more can lead to soreness in the gums and jaw. If you notice discomfort while biting down, which can occur due to the bonding agent placed on the tooth, take painkillers and use a saltwater rinse as needed. Avoid very hot or cold substances for the next few days.
