Are you considering getting dental veneers? If so, this post is here to help. In it, we run through all of the most common questions you might have, including how much it costs, what your teeth will look like afterward, and how to care for them. Read on to learn more.
How Much Are Dental Veneers?
Porcelain veneers cost between $900 and $2,500 per tooth. The average cost of a veneer is $1,500 in the US but the amount you pay depends on your clinical needs and insurance coverage. (Simple Dental offers an in-house membership plan with extra discounts if the patient has no insurance.)
Resin veneers are most affordable ranging between $250 to $1500 per tooth in the US.
Does Getting Veneers Hurt?
Getting veneers is unlikely to cause discomfort for the majority of patients. The procedure is minimally-invasive and only requires the removal of a thin layer of enamel from the surface of your teeth.
Some patients experience sensitivity after getting veneers fitted. This usually subsides within one to two weeks. If sensitivity lasts longer than this, then return to the clinic for a checkup.
Long-term, veneers should feel entirely comfortable and natural in your mouth. You shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between porcelain or eMax and your regular tooth enamel. Teeth will function as they always did, albeit with a significant aesthetic upgrade.
How Long Does It Take To Get Veneers Fitted?
Getting veneers can be done as quickly as in two or three visits. The average case takes around three weeks between initial consultation and final fitting.
The process begins with discussing your teeth, your aesthetic expectations, and how dental veneers can help. Teeth will be prepped for veneers. Afterward, dental professionals make your new veneers in a lab, designed to fit your teeth perfectly. Then, once ready, we invite you to our dental practice for the final fitting.
Some patients wear temporary veneers, short-term veneers that you can wear while you wait for your permanent ones. We remove these from the surface of your teeth prior to final fitting.
Do Teeth Rot Under Veneers?
Covering teeth with porcelain prevents your toothbrush from coming into direct contact with your tooth enamel, causing many patients to wonder whether teeth will rot under veneers.
The answer is no. Under normal circumstances where we fit and maintain your veneers properly, there will be no opportunities for bacteria to enter under the surface and cause decay. However, natural teeth still require protection, which is why it is essential to go to a qualified, licensed, and respected dental practice for your fitting.
Do Dental Veneers Fall Off?
Dental veneers generally last for more than 10 years. However, like any other dental prosthetic, they can come loose.
Initially, the bond between the veneer and your tooth is strong. However, as time passes, veneers can slowly detach from the underlying enamel and the bonding may weaken. Eventually, veneers can come loose and fall off.
Fortunately, this isn’t a significant problem. You can simply return to your dental practice for rebonding. Routine dental exam and cleaning is recommended for regular maintenance.
How Much Better Do Porcelain Veneers Make Your Teeth Look?
Porcelain veneers can conceal virtually any aesthetic problem related to your teeth. Porcelain is an opaque material that physically covers the outward-facing exterior surfaces of teeth. Because of this, porcelain veneers can hide damaged, mildly misaligned, and discolored teeth while looking perfectly natural at the same time.
Naturally yellow teeth can be difficult to fix, even with professional whitening services. Equally, patients with antibiotic-induced discoloration won’t benefit from bleaching. In these cases, fitting veneers may be the only whitening option available.
What Is The Difference Between Porcelain And Composite Veneers?
The main difference between porcelain and composite veneers is aesthetics and strength. Composite veneers look good but weaker in strength. Porcelain veneers are stronger and better at catching and reflecting light like regular teeth.
How Do Veneers Feel At First In Your Mouth?
Getting dental veneers changes the shape of your teeth slightly while altering the texture. Therefore, getting veneers fitted can feel a little odd at first. Teeth may feel smoother and slicker than normal.
Eventually, though, your brain will get used to the sensation. After two weeks or so, most patients report that their new mouth feels normal.
Can You Tell The Difference Between Veneers And Normal Teeth?
Unless someone knew what your teeth looked like before, it is generally impossible to tell the difference between veneers and natural teeth. Laboratories make them look identical to regular tooth surfaces. Furthermore, skilled dental practitioners carefully contour and reshape the veneers so that they suit both your underlying teeth and the structure of your face.
Do Celebrities Get Veneers?
A large number of celebrities have had veneers fitted to improve the appearance of their teeth. Examples include Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Miley Cyrus. As a cosmetic treatment, veneers can give you aesthetically perfect teeth that enhance your natural dentition. Teeth appear smoother, whiter, and more shapely.
Is There Anyone Who Can’t Get Veneers?
Because veneers are a minimally-invasive prosthetics, virtually everyone is a suitable candidate. However, there are some people who shouldn’t get them – at least not immediately.
Dentists, for example, cannot place veneers on unhealthy teeth or gums. If you have decay or gingivitis (gum disease), then veneer fitting is not possible.
Similarly, dentists cannot place veneers on severely broken teeth. Broken teeth should either be fixed or replaced by crowns.
The good news is that patients who fix these issues can become candidates for dental veneers. Veneers are suitable for anyone with healthy teeth and gums.
Do Veneers Stay White Long-Term?
Veneers, like regular teeth, can stain. However, if you look after them correctly, they can stay pearly white for as long as ten years. Just clean them regularly as you would normal teeth, and reduce your consumption of tannin-containing foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, berries, and chocolate.
Do Veneers Cause Bad Breath?
There is no link between veneers and bad breath. However, foul smells can develop if you fail to maintain regular oral hygiene. Bacteria can build up in the gap between your teeth and the veneer, leading to unwanted odors.
If you are worried about veneers causing your breath to smell, brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. Reducing your consumption of sugary foods can help too, as these promote the type of bacteria responsible for bad smells.
Professional dental cleaning should be a regular component of your oral care routine. Dental scaling techniques remove plaque and tartar responsible for bad breath.
What Are Dental Veneers Made Of? What Are The Different Types Of Veneers?
Most dental veneers are made of porcelain, a type of white vitrified translucent ceramic. Porcelain veneers are well-known and respected throughout the dental world for their natural appearance, strength, and ability to resist stains. They also reflect light in a similar way to natural teeth.
One of the commonly used materials such as eMax are made of lithium disilicate glass ceramic and are known for their beauty and strength, even when sliced thin. They are known for their esthetic translucency, which mimics how light passes natural teeth.
Zirconia veneers are made of zirconia dioxide and are another type of ceramic. Veneers made of zirconia are superior in their strength when compared to eMax veneers and provide the best result when a patient is known to have grinding habits.
At Simple Dental, we offer different types of veneers including: eMax, zirconia, and resin composite. The types of veneers will be determined based on the need of the patient during the consultation.
How Do You Care For Dental Veneers?
There are many things you can do to care for your dental veneers and keep them in good condition. These include:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
- Using a fluoride-based mouthwash rinse once daily
- Flossing your teeth once daily
- Limiting sugar-containing sweets or acidic drink consumption that can lead to the buildup of plaque-causing bacteria
- Not chewing ice or other particularly hard foods, such as rock candy
- Seeing your dentist every six months for a checkup to ensure that you do not have any new oral health issues
When you get your dental veneers fitted with us, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to look after them correctly. With the right care, they should last a decade or more.
What Happens During The Visits For Veneers?
Veneer fitting is a simple non-invasive procedure. Dentists begin by roughening, cleaning, and polishing the surface of the tooth. Once your teeth are the desired shape, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth to send to the lab. All veneers are custom made to fit each tooth.
Once the veneers are ready, dentists then apply a powerful adhesive. They then harden the adhesive using high-intensity light, allowing it to set quickly.
At the end of the procedure, dentists consult with you about your new teeth and whether you are happy with them. Veneers should feel comfortable in your mouth and look great.
How Many Times Can You Get Veneers Fitted?
Veneers typically last between five and ten years. However, if you care for them well, they can survive considerably longer, perhaps as long as 20 years. Most dentists advise professional cleanings every six months to keep both your veneers and teeth in tip-top condition.
If your veneers flake off, you can get them refitted as many times as you like as long as there’s no cavity on your natural tooth.
How Many Trips To The Dentist Do You Need To Get Veneers?
Most patients require three to four trips to the dentist for dental veneer fitting. Here’s how the procedure breaks down:
- First appointment. During the first appointment, patients tell their dentists about their teeth concerns and the results that they would like dental veneers to achieve. Dentists may take X-rays and photographs to make sure that there are no underlying oral health issues that could adversely impact veneers after fitting. Dentists then examine teeth for suitability, provide detailed information on the procedure and pricing, and explain some of the pros and cons versus other treatment options.
- Second appointment. A second consultation is performed to measure and assess teeth in depth. Practitioners also take impressions and send them off to the lab for mock up veneer fabrication.
- Third appointment. Dentists begin by numbing the teeth and then removing or roughening a thin layer of enamel at the front and bottom of each tooth. Next, impressions are taken and temporary veneers are placed. They then test bite, fit, and comfort.
- Fourth appointment. At the fourth appointment, patients receive their final fitting. Dentists remove the patients’ temporary veneers, clean and prepare their natural teeth, and then fit the new veneers. Veneers are placed with adhesives and then tested to ensure that they have bonded with natural teeth underneath.
What Are The Advantages Of Dental Veneers?
Patients choose to get dental veneers because of the advantages they offer. Firstly, they look natural, helping to disguise any aesthetic issues with your underlying teeth, such as mild discoloration and misshapen teeth. Dentists can also shape them to give your front teeth a better appearance when smiling.
Secondly, dental veneers are highly stain-resistant. Porcelain can stay white for many years, as long as you follow regular oral hygiene practices.
Gums also tolerate porcelain well, meaning that they won’t change shape dramatically in the months and years following your fitting.
Lastly, veneers offer a robust alternative to crowns. Instead of replacing the whole tooth, you keep your natural dentition while improving its aesthetics.
Can You Choose How Many Veneers Your Dentist Applies?
Dentists will recommend that you get enough veneers to complete your smile. However, they can apply as many or as few veneers as you require. Some patients, for instance, apply just four veneers to their front teeth while others get them fitted to all their teeth. The choice is yours.
