What are dental veneers?
Most people think they know what they are, but it turns out they don't. They confuse them with crowns and other things, dentures, implants, you name it. Dental veneers are usually small porcelain covers for your teeth, typically your front teeth, the social teeth that we see when we smile. They're made out of porcelain in a lab.
There's sometimes also confusion with some dentists performing veneers out of filling material, which can be done. It's just not something I offer as a permanent solution because there's a lot of work involved, and there can be issues afterward with staining, chipping, and things like that. But sometimes you need to do it temporarily just to get the patient ready for a wedding or some type of event if necessary.
Veneers are basically used to improve your smile, usually the color and the way your teeth look. If you have some teeth that aren't straight or you don't like the way they look, veneers can help change the appearance of your smile.
What is the process for placing dental veneers?
A lot of times, people think that veneers are just placed on top of your teeth without any preparation. It has been done, but it's not really common because it will usually create a lot of bulk for your teeth. It's on a case-by-case basis, but usually veneers are placed on your enamel, and the enamel needs to be prepped.
Usually, we remove about a millimeter from the front of your teeth to create the surface for bonding and also to create room for the veneers. Then we put temporary veneers on your teeth that day. After about two weeks, when the lab is ready with the veneers, you come back. We remove the temporaries, clean your teeth, and then bond or glue your porcelain veneers onto your teeth.
Will veneers and bonding cement match my tooth color?
Well, it depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you want to change the shape of your tooth without changing the color, there are different types of veneer cements. They go from really bleach shades to translucent, which means, "I don't want to change the color. I love my color. I just want to get the shape done." Depending on your condition, you might also need a slightly darker shade.
Sometimes you want to use cement that doesn't exactly match your teeth. It really depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to go for a brighter smile, then the answer is no, your veneers aren't necessarily matching your current tooth color. We're trying to make them a little bit whiter.
But if you're just trying to restore one tooth, say you had an accident and chipped a tooth beyond the point of a filling, then yes, we can work to match the veneer to your surrounding teeth.
What is the difference between composite and porcelain veneers?
A lot of people don't even know what composite means. First, I'll clarify that composite is a filling material. It's something you get as a white filling material. We very seldom do amalgam or silver fillings anymore. Composite is the material we typically use for a filling.
Composite can stain and isn't as strong as porcelain. In my office, it's usually used for temporary reasons, such as if we have to do veneers on somebody who has an event coming up and we don't have a chance to have porcelain veneers made right away. You can do a lot with it. You can do all 10 teeth, six teeth, two teeth, however many you want, and it can improve their appearance. It's just not something I consider a permanent solution.
I've seen people who have had composite veneers for many years. My mother-in-law is one of them, and hers are still there. She has a very thick layer of the material, so if we need to polish it, a little bit of that layer comes off, but it's still there.
Do I do them? No, not really. I don't think the price and the time-consuming work are worth it. It's very time-consuming, and it's pretty costly. At this point, I don't offer composite veneers as a permanent solution unless it's a child who needs something while they're still growing. When we say dental veneers in my office, we mean porcelain veneers.
How should I care for my dental veneers?
That is a very good question, and it's one that patients don't always follow through on. The number one thing is that we put you in a splint, or a night guard. It's something that you'll have to wear at night. When we sleep, we sometimes clench and grind, and veneers can have a very thin edge. Sometimes the stress from grinding can cause them to come off. That's number one. It's non-negotiable for my patients.
Number two, obviously, is dental hygiene. We have to be proactive. You have to come back and see us depending on your cleaning schedule, whether that's every three months, four months, or six months. You have to floss, you have to brush, all the good stuff.
How much do dental veneers cost?
The answer I'll give you is that it's around the same cost as a crown.
Are financing options available for dental veneers?
The answer is yes. Most people choose veneers to enhance their smile, and the treatment can become a little costly, so we do offer financing options.
Want to learn more? Call Angelina Anisimova, DDS Family Dentistry at (636) 434-1244 or email [email protected]. Our team is happy to answer your questions and help schedule your visit.
Before and After
