Are you considering getting dental veneers? I have compiled some of the most common questions that we get at our Newport Beach office. If you?re considering a smile makeover or wondering if veneers are right for you, here are a few FAQs to review.
What do Veneers Do?
Dental veneers are bonded over several teeth in a side-by-side manner, changing the uniform shape and appearance of your smile. They can be used to mask aesthetic flaws such as teeth that are:
- Gapped
- Chipped
- Crooked
- Crowded
- Uneven
- Discolored
- Misshaped
Because each veneer is handmade, it fits with its partners to achieve an overall appearance when looking from outside of your mouth. Getting veneers is one of the fastest ways to make your smile look whiter, straighter, and properly shaped.
Are Veneers the Same Thing as Crowns?
No. A crown covers the entire tooth, up to the gumlines. It?s used for restorative purposes when a tooth is broken, decayed, or compromised in some way. However, they can be made out of porcelain, allowing them to enhance the appearance of the tooth while also repairing it.
In contrast, veneers only cover the front surface of your teeth (the area that?s visible when you smile) instead of the entire tooth. They usually serve a cosmetic purpose rather than a restorative one (although they can very well serve a restorative purpose as well).?
How Much do Veneers Cost?
Pricing on veneers depends on several factors, including how many veneers you need, the type of material being used to make them, and lab expenses in your area (related to cost of living.) One of the things we do at The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry is provide our veneers patients with a detailed itemized estimate of their upcoming smile makeover, so that they can make an educated choice as to which type of treatment they get.
?How Many Veneers do I Need?
Everyone?s smile is different. When you look in the mirror or pose for a photograph, take note as to how many teeth are visible when you smile. Do your veneers need to cover all of them?
Some of our Newport Beach veneers patients benefit from as few as six veneers across their upper front teeth. If you look at the photo at the top of this blog, that young lady had only 4 and you can see what a difference it made in her smile. Others may want as many as 10 or more, or need them on their bottom teeth. We can provide you with a specific answer during the time of your initial evaluation, so that you know exactly what to expect if you decide to move forward with treatment.
What?s Involved in Getting Dental Veneers?
When you get dental veneers in our Newport Beach office, the process usually takes three steps. First, we examine your teeth and plan what the veneers will look like (including their size, shape, and color). ?Then, we book you for a preparation appointment, where your teeth are gently adjusted to take a thin layer of enamel off of the front, so that the veneers won?t look bulky when bonded in place. An impression is taken and sent to our lab. We will place some temporary veneers over your teeth to help minimize any possible sensitivity, and the temporaries will also serve as a blueprint for what the final results will look like. In two weeks, your permanent veneers are ready to bond in place.
Are Veneers Covered by My Dental Insurance?
Sometimes. A dental veneer is considered an elective cosmetic treatment. As such, it isn?t necessarily treating an area of disease, which means insurance does not pay for it. Most of our cosmetic veneer patients choose to budget their smile makeover via a flexible monthly payment plan, so that they can get treatment right away. If you have a tooth that?s compromised, a structural restoration such as a crown can help you protect it while also improving its appearance.
If you already have veneers and one breaks, sometimes your dental insurance can cover the procedure.
?What are Veneers Made Out Of?
Most high-quality dental veneers are made of durable porcelains, expertly matched to the hue and shade of your liking. Other types of veneers can be made from composites, Zirconia, and resin, depending on your preferences. Because we want all of our Newport Beach, CA patients to have durable veneers that are long-lasting and?beautiful, we use the highest quality materials available.
Who Qualifies for Getting Veneers?
Before anyone can get dental veneers, it?s important to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. It?s not safe to put veneers on areas of active decay, significant wear/fractures, or when periodontal disease is present. Doing so could compromise the integrity of your bite, or risk losing your cosmetic investment altogether.?
How do I Get Started?
First, schedule a consultation with our Newport Beach, CA cosmetic dentist. During your exam, we?ll discuss what aspects you want to change about your smile and how veneers can help (or if there?s another option worth considering.) We can even help you combine veneers with other aesthetic services to help you achieve the results you?re looking for.
For more details on porcelain veneers, watch the video below (AND make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel).
