What are dental veneers?
A dental veneer is a thin, flat piece of dental-grade porcelain attached to the front of your teeth. A porcelain veneer can conceal flaws in your smile and connect to healthy or intact teeth. They may also be used as a method of tooth restoration.
It’s one of the many cosmetic procedures that may help you acquire a fresh new smile. It has several advantages over dental bonding, including being more permanent and long-lasting. On the other hand, compared to dental crowns, this procedure removes far less enamel from the natural tooth structure.
Dental veneers can be used for:
- Providing a mask for stains that teeth whitening procedures can’t remove
- Resizing teeth to match surrounding teeth if they appear to be too small
- Straighten crooked teeth (only those that are mildly crooked)
- Repairing cracked or chipped teeth
- Filling unsightly gaps between teeth
- To return teeth that have decayed or been damaged to their original condition
Benefits of Veneers
Picture-perfect custom veneers may solve your tooth enamel issues. It’s frequently been used by Hollywood aspiring movie stars to get them the perfect pearly whites for the silver screen.
Veneers are excellent for brightening severely discolored teeth, but several additional benefits exist.
Achieve Straighter Teeth With Dental Veneers
Teeth can be misaligned and crooked, and you may believe they need to be straightened or corrected by an orthodontist. On the other hand, dental veneers can assist with some alignment issues. It’s similar to getting Invisalign treatment for cosmetic reasons without the discomfort of traditional orthodontics.
Filling Gaps
There are times when unbalanced gaps in your teeth can be pretty unsightly. Your dentist may also put a veneer on a tooth to form a natural-looking mask for uneven tooth spacing.
Repairing Damage
Damage to the surface enamel or the dentin of your teeth may cause cavities and fissures, which can deteriorate with time. Veneers are thin shells bonded directly to the teeth they cover, offering structural support for natural enamel.
Improving Hygiene
While unsightly gaps and fissures in your teeth seem to be only a cosmetic concern, they are more than that. These may be decay risk zones, spots where food debris accumulates over time, and locations where brushing and flossing aren’t adequately cleaned. It’s also simpler to brush and floss effectively after your veneers are in place.
Stopping the Wear
Veneers are a tooth repair procedure that your dentist may use to restore or prevent premature surface wear due to misalignment or nighttime grinding.
Who is a candidate for porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent option for most patients. However, your dentist must treat any advanced gum disease or tooth decay before applying your porcelain veneers. Braces may also be required if your teeth are severely misaligned.
Porcelain Veneer Costs in Harrisonburg, VA
Porcelain veneers may range from $800 to $2,000 per tooth. Unfortunately, porcelain veneers are rarely covered by insurance.
In your first consultation, we may go over financing options as part of your treatment planning. Your dentist may also discuss additional cosmetic dentistry improvements to your teeth that will help you improve their appearance.
How long will porcelain veneers last?
Veneers are an excellent and long-lasting solution. The average lifespan of veneers is around 10 or 15 years, depending on the situation. However, it’s crucial to remember that proper care will likely significantly extend the life of your treatment. Therefore, you should continue seeing your dentist every six months for a professional teeth cleaning and examination.
Brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste, flossing daily, and regular dental visits are the best way to ensure a long life for your dental veneers.
How are porcelain veneers placed?
The first step is for us to take a mold of your teeth. The molds will then be sent to a dental laboratory for processing. Then, your custom-made veneers will be returned to us by the lab. We may need to utilize temporary veneers while you wait for your permanent veneers to come.
Your cosmetic dentist will then apply porcelain veneers over your natural teeth, covering the entire front surface and joining them with dental cement. Now you have your dream smile!
The whole process will take two visits to our office. We’ll also usually ask you to return for a follow-up appointment to ensure they stay in place and are functioning correctly.
Book Your Veneer Consultation in Harrisonburg, VA
Ask our office for a consultation to find out if veneers are the right choice for you. We love giving our patients a beautiful smile with a natural appearance.
