Find out how veneers can give you a healthy, beautiful smile.

Who doesn’t want a perfect smile? We can all agree that a beautiful, healthy smile makes someone look and feel confident and delivers that “wow” factor to those around them. If you are looking to dramatically transform your smile, you are most likely looking for dental veneers. Veneers can correct imperfections like chips, gaps, uneven sized teeth, or tooth discoloration. They can quickly and efficiently improve your smile and give you the aesthetic result you deserve.

Many people have questions before they jump into the dental veneer process. Some of the most frequently asked questions are listed below.

1. What are veneers?

Veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure to improve the appearance of your teeth. A thin shell of porcelain is permanently bonded to the front surface of your teeth to change the shade and shape. These are customized to your individual smile, so you can opt to improve the look, shape, or shade of your teeth or to maintain some of your unique characteristics.

2. How long do they last?

Veneers typically last five to 10 years, depending on how well you maintain them. One of the great benefits of veneers is that they don’t require a specialized oral care routine, so you should care for your them just as you would your actual teeth. Brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist routinely and your veneers may last even longer than average.

3. Can veneers stain?

Veneers cannot stain as the materials used—porcelain, zirconia, or ceramic—do not stain. However, if they are not done properly, substances like tobacco, red wine, coffee, etc. can cause the margin of your tooth and veneer to stain. This is why it’s so important to limit the amount of dark-colored food and drinks you consume, and to brush or swish with water after meals.

4. Which treatment is better, veneers or bonding?

Bonding and veneers have the same treatment intentions, which is to correct imperfection like discoloration, uneven sized teeth, worn down teeth, gaps, or chipped teeth. However, there are major differences between bonding and veneers that may impact your decision for treatment. Bonding is not permanent, can stain or chip off, and needs more frequent replacement than veneers. It also cannot always perfectly match the shade of your adjacent teeth, but bonding is much more cost efficient than veneers. Veneers can alter the shape and shade of your tooth in an aesthetic way and are more durable, but they are more costly.

5. What is the veneer process?

There are several stages to the veneer process. The first is a dental examination and X-rays to determine whether you are a good candidate for veneers. Then your dentist will prepare the teeth that need a veneer. A small amount of tooth enamel is shaved down to make room for the thickness of the veneer. The dentist will take an impression of your teeth for the laboratory to custom fabricate your veneer. Once it returns from the lab, the proper fit and shade are verified. Once correct, they are permanently bonded to your tooth using a cement and special light.

6. Do they hurt?

Your Plano, Texas, dentist’s top priority is your safety and comfort. Getting veneers is a virtually painless procedure. You may or may not need local anesthetic depending on your teeth and the veneer needed, but otherwise there is no pain or discomfort with the process.

Wearing them does not hurt. In fact, once they are bonded, you won’t even notice a difference between your actual tooth and the veneer. This is because your dentist takes a mold of your teeth to have a custom restoration fabricated so that it fits your tooth and mouth precisely.

7. How do you care for veneers?

The most important thing you can do to maintain your veneers is to brush and floss daily. Eat a healthy diet and avoid tobacco products. Maintaining your gums is equally important as caring for your teeth, so you want to ensure you don’t let plaque sit around your teeth margins for too long. Always attend routine dental visits for professional cleanings to ensure your oral health is in top condition.

While veneers don’t stain or chip, you still want to avoid biting into hard objects and should wear a mouthguard for athletics or a night guard for sleeping to avoid any injury to them.

8. Are there any disadvantages of veneers?

Veneers are not recommended for people with gum disease as you have an increased risk for tooth decay, bone, and tissue loss. In this case, you would need to work with your dentist to achieve optimal oral health before going ahead with them. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, it is recommended you wear a nightguard so you don’t crack and chip your veneers. They are a major investment, therefore, if you do not have good oral health and regularly visit the dentist, they can cost you more long term if they need replacement.

9. What should I ask my dentist before getting veneers?

Speak to your dentist to see if your oral health qualifies you for dental veneers. There are oral health conditions that may disqualify you from getting them. If you have tooth decay, gum disease, extensive dental fillings, or insufficient tooth enamel, you may be a poor candidate for them.

Additionally, if you excessively grind and clench your teeth, you can chip or crack your veneers. Discuss grinding issues with your dentist prior to getting them. You may need a nightguard to protect your veneers and your jaw.

10. How much do they cost?

Veneers can come with a considerable price tag, but the reward is incomparable to other dental treatments, like teeth whitening or bonding. Porcelain ones are a permanent and highly aesthetic solution. Every patient is unique, and the total cost of your veneers may depend on the position and number of veneers you require, so it’s best to consult with your dentist beforehand so you’re aware of the total cost. Some dentists, like Millennium Dental, offer payment plans through CareCredit, to help you achieve the smile you desire without the bill shock.

Speak to Millennium Dental about your smile.

Millennium Dental is proud to help the residents of Plano, TX, and surrounds maintain healthy, bright smiles. If you’re ready to start your journey towards your ideal smile, feel free to schedule an appointment so we can discuss your needs. We can’t wait to see your smile!