What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are thin porcelain restorations that go over the teeth. They are bonded to the teeth with dental cement, and they provide, for the most part, the aesthetics that the patient is looking for. If your teeth have gaps or spaces, irregularities in shape, size, or color, cracks or chips, or mild decay, porcelain veneers are an excellent way to restore your smile. Whether you're looking to have only one dental veneer or many, this type of cosmetic dentistry can be a great solution to help you achieve a beautiful smile.
Caring for Dental Veneers
Yes, dental veneers require care, just like natural teeth. It's good oral hygiene: brushing, flossing, and making sure that you maintain good oral hygiene to help the veneers last for a longer time.
Also, be a little bit careful with biting on anything that's hard. Veneers, like natural teeth, can break if a person bites on a very hard surface or very hard food. It also requires seeing your dentist for follow-ups, exams, and cleanings every six months, every four months, or whatever your recommended regimen is. You should follow that schedule.
After your dental veneers are applied, you will be able to eat and drink without any restrictions. To keep your veneers in good condition, treat them as you do your natural teeth with daily brushing, flossing, a healthy diet, and routine dental visits. In some cases, you may be advised to wear a night guard while you sleep to better protect your dental veneers.
What are the benefits of dental veneers?
If you are self-conscious about your smile, you may want to discover the benefits of dental veneers, which can transform it from dull to stunning. Here are several benefits:
- Correct Structural Issues: Corrects gaps, visible cracks, or misaligned teeth.
- Protect Teeth: Protects the tooth surface from future damage.
- Look Natural: Dental veneers look natural and match the rest of your teeth.
- Improves Your Smile: Improves the appearance of your teeth and gives you a brighter smile.
If you feel that dental veneers may be right for you, Dr. Isaac Kuyunov, Rochester, NY prosthodontist, can help you achieve the smile you deserve.
Who may want to consider getting dental veneers?
- You have teeth that are misshapen or you have gaps in your teeth that you would like fixed.
- You have smaller than average-sized teeth and want to improve your appearance.
- Your teeth are stained and cannot be fixed by tooth whitening.
- You have chipped or broken teeth, or have mild decay.
- You have slightly misaligned teeth that can be corrected with dental veneers.
- You have healthy teeth and gums, a good amount of tooth enamel, and are looking for a cosmetic dental treatment.
- You do not suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding).
- You maintain good oral health.
What is the process for getting dental veneers?
Number one is evaluation, making sure that veneers are the right option for you. If you're a good candidate for veneers, you have good oral hygiene and good oral health, and you're committed to the process, then the doctor will reconstruct the tooth structure outside of your mouth.
This is called a mock-up, where the doctor is basically designing your teeth outside of your mouth and seeing where we can get with a veneer-type reconstruction. If you can get really good results outside of your mouth, then you can transfer that design to your mouth more predictably.
After the first appointment, there is a design appointment, and then the patient comes in and we prepare the teeth for veneers. During that appointment, the patient will leave with temporary veneers because we will take molds and submit them to the lab, where lab-fabricated veneers will be made for you.
Step 1 – Initial Visit
A consultation will be needed to assess whether veneers are right for you. At this time, any oral health issues that would prevent you from getting fitted with dental veneers will be addressed and arrangements to have them taken care of will be made.
Step 2 – Tooth Preparation
After it has been determined that dental veneers are a good option for you, a thin layer of enamel will need to be removed from the surface of your tooth. This will help your dental veneer adhere to your natural tooth. If needed, a small sedative may be given to help you relax.
Step 3 – Impressions Taken
Impressions of your teeth will be taken, along with the gums and neighboring teeth, using a soft putty in a tray. While you wait for your next appointment, temporary veneers may be placed if necessary. After the new veneers are ready, they will be tried in to determine their accuracy. If necessary, the veneers may be trimmed and adjusted chairside to achieve the perfect fit.
Step 4 – Bonding the Veneer
Both the veneer and your original tooth will be polished before bonding. Multiple steps are then followed to create a strong, lasting bond between the tooth and the veneer. The veneer is placed on the tooth and a special light is used to cure and harden the bond. The veneer is then ready to use.
At the follow-up visit, the patient will come in, the temporary veneers will be removed, and the permanent ones will be tried in. We make sure everything looks good, including the bite, the aesthetics, the shape we've achieved, and all of the checkpoints that we wanted to address. If the doctor likes it and the patient likes it, then the veneers are permanently bonded to the teeth.
What problems can be addressed with dental veneers?
The most common problem is unaesthetic teeth, or teeth that are not looking the way the patient wants. They may not be aligned, or they may have different shapes that the patient wants to improve. This is the most common reason.
The second most common reason is to change the color of the teeth. The patient may want whiter teeth, and whitening did not work, does not work in their case, or did not work enough. Then veneers can become an option to provide a different color and shape for the teeth, really providing a beautiful smile for the patient.
Are dental veneers permanent or removable?
Veneers are considered a permanent treatment. They are placed over the teeth, and they stay there. They become part of the tooth structure. It's almost like a crown, but veneers cover only the outer surface of the tooth, the one that you see when you look at the patient. They don't cover the inside, but rather the outside, on the lip side. Veneers can be placed on upper teeth, lower teeth, or a combination of both.
Will veneers match the color of your teeth?
Veneers can be made in many different shades. Part of the reason for doing veneers is to improve the color of the teeth. In an ideal case scenario, yes, veneers should match the desired color of your teeth.
What are the pros and cons of porcelain vs. composite veneers?
Composite veneers are usually done in the office by the doctor. Composite is used as a filling material, but it can also be used on the anterior teeth, or front teeth, for aesthetic purposes.
Porcelain veneers are done in the lab. There is more control over them, and usually we can achieve higher aesthetic results with porcelain veneers because they are made in the lab. The technician is making them in a more controlled environment, which can provide strength and aesthetics. Porcelain veneers also have some translucency to them, which can provide a natural type of look. When the patient smiles, the goal is for the teeth to have a natural, aesthetic appearance.
How long does it take to place dental veneers?
It's really two visits. The first visit is to adjust the teeth, prepare the teeth lightly to create room for the veneer material, and take molds. The second visit will be to place the veneers on the teeth and bond them.
So it's a two-visit process, and depending on how many teeth are involved, each appointment can take between one hour and a few hours.
How long do dental veneers last?
They can last many years. From what I've seen, 10 years is a good lifespan for veneers, and they can last longer. How long they last can depend on factors such as oral hygiene and how they're cared for over time.
How much do dental veneers cost, and is financing available?
The cost of dental veneers really ranges from office to office and depends on how they're being done. They can cost in the range of a dental crown, almost the same price, because they require a similar type of work. Financing options are available for veneers, and if you're looking for them, please ask us about the available options.
Does dental insurance cover veneers?
Most insurance plans do not cover veneers, but some may. Please check with your insurance carrier or ask the dental office to check for you to see if your plan covers dental veneers. If it does, the amount of coverage will depend on the terms and maximums of your plan, and the rest will be the patient's responsibility.
When should you schedule an appointment for dental veneers?
You should schedule an appointment when you're ready to go through the process, if you have questions, or if you're unsure whether this is the right treatment for you. We are here to help you get the information you need to make a decision.
If you're looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (585) 522-1922 or email rocprostho@gmail.com. We're here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!
Looking for dental veneers in Rochester, NY? Visit Dr. Isaac Kuyunov
At Dental Prosthodontics of Rochester, dental veneers and cosmetic dentistry are areas of practice that Dr. Kuyunov takes seriously. Achieving a healthy, stunning smile is our priority. If you'd like to learn more about dental veneers, call us today at (585) 522-1922 to make an appointment, or click the link below.