Achieve Your Dream Smile in as Little as Two Visits
Thanks to advancements in dentistry and technology, patients looking to
whiten, straighten, and otherwise perfect their teeth can choose from a
variety of cosmetic dentistry treatments. But what if there are several
alterations you want to make to attain your smile goals? That’s where
veneers come in! This extremely life-like, high-quality, durable treatment
option allows our team at Carlson Dental Group to help you achieve your dream
smile in as little as two visits. If you are ready to conceal imperfections
that prevent you from smiling confidently,
contact our office
to schedule an initial consultation.
What Are Veneers?
At its core, veneers are thin, enamel-colored shells crafted from
composite resin or, ideally, porcelain. Once they are bonded to the
visible portion of your teeth, they can cover a variety of imperfections,
such as:
Minor chips and cracks
Misshaped or disproportionally small teeth
Discoloration or stains that traditional teeth whitening can’t
remove
Small gaps between the teeth
Slight misalignment
Process for Getting Veneers
Your journey to your new and improved smile will begin with a consultation
with our team at Carlson Dental Group. During this appointment, we will
discuss your smile goals in-depth and conduct a thorough dental exam. Once
we’ve confirmed veneers are the best treatment option for you, we will
begin the tooth preparation process, which requires removing a small portion
of your enamel. Then, impressions of your teeth will be sent to the lab so
your permanent set can be meticulously crafted by expert artisans. Next, we
will provide you with temporary veneers to test drive until we receive your
permanent ones a few weeks later. From there, all that’s left for you
to do is return to our office for final placement.
Benefits of Veneers
Year after year, veneers continue to be a leading cosmetic treatment option
because of their:
Life-like appearance: Whether you are only fixing one
tooth or undergoing a complete smile makeover, veneers can provide you
with a new and improved smile that is life-like in look and feel.
Stain-resistant makeup: Unlike your natural teeth,
veneers aren’t porous, which helps prevent the development of
stubborn stains.
Durability: Veneers can last 10+ years with proper care.
Minimally invasive approach: While crowns cover the
entire tooth, veneers only cover the front, which requires less removal of
enamel.
Maintaining Your Veneers
As mentioned above, your new and improved smile can last 10+ years –
if you care for them properly that is. Luckily, that task is relatively easy
as long as you implement the below best practices:
Brush and floss your daily
Don’t chew on hard items, like ice or pen caps
Never open a package with your teeth
Wear a mouthguard if you play a sport or grind your teeth
Visit our team twice a year for a checkup and cleaning
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Despite their high quality, you may fear veneers are too pricey. (Fair enough – a treatment won’t help if it exceeds your budget.) However, the cost of veneers varies from patient to patient. You’ll need to consult our dentists for a more precise estimate. Once you do, we’ll work with you on an affordable treatment plan. Our team can also outline other cosmetic procedures and financing options. For more details, continue reading or call our office!
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
Here at Carlson Dental Group, you can get truly amazing veneers. Still, it’s wise to review our other cosmetic procedures as well. They each have distinct prices and effects. By looking them over, you’ll ensure your new smile is genuinely cost-effective.
In particular, consider the following choices:
Gum Recontouring – Put simply, gum recontouring removes excess gum tissue from your mouth. It’s thus ideal for treating a “gummy smile.” Best of all, it offers permanent results for a low cost.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding – Cosmetic dental bonding hides small smile flaws. To do so, it covers affected teeth with a resin that blends with your enamel. The procedure is quick and effective but has short-lived results; you’ll need touchups every few years.
Teeth Whitening – Per the name, a whitening treatment brightens your smile. It works by using bleaching gel to remove tooth stains. From there, your grin will be six to eight shades whiter. The procedure is moderately priced, though, and it only affects tooth color.
Metal-Free Restorations – Metal-free crowns and fillings look like real enamel. Therefore, they protect teeth and help them look nicer. In exchange, though, the restorations can get pricey.
Porcelain Veneers – Veneers are thin shells for the fronts of teeth. When placed, they hide a very wide range of smile flaws. Plus, the shells blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth. Given this versatility, veneers can be expensive.
Invisalign – By wearing aligner trays for a year or so, Invisalign can straighten out your crooked smile! That said, the treatment is a big financial commitment. Getting it often costs several thousand dollars.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Honestly, dental insurance usually won’t cover veneers. Most plans view the shells as an unnecessary luxury. Still, there are rare exceptions; some policies will cover veneers if they protect damaged areas. That being the case, confirm your benefits before deciding anything. Our team can even help out.
Of course, insurance isn’t the only way to make veneers affordable. You can always try a dental practice’s payment options. With the right one, your veneers can become a prudent purchase.
For instance, look at our own Carlson Dental Group. We offer:
In-House Membership Plans – If you pay an annual fee, our office will give you a major discount on non-preventive services. That price reduction also applies to veneers!
CareCredit Financing – Our office works with CareCredit, a reputable third-party financier. By relying on them, you could pay for veneers in monthly installments. This process would ensure you slowly cover the treatment’s cost.
If you have cost-related veneer questions, go ahead and book a consultation. Our team is eager to transform your smile without “breaking the bank!”
Veneer FAQs
How Long Do Veneers Last?
As you can imagine, the lifespan of your veneers has a lot to do with how well you take care of them. The better your dental hygiene, and the more diligently you avoid foods that could damage them, the longer you can expect your veneers to last.
That said, statistically most veneers will last anywhere from 10 to 15 years before needing to be replaced. If you take exceptionally good care of them, however, they’re capable of lasting for as long as 30.
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
Sometimes, you can get away with using one or two veneers to cover especially problematic teeth. However, this is a rarity—most people interested in the treatment would like to alter the appearance of all of their visible teeth.
How many veneers this will take varies from person to person. Some only need 6 to 8 of them, while others will require as many as 10 to 12. We’ll be able to tell you more about how many veneers you might need when we meet you in person and take a look at your smile.
What Materials are Used for Veneers?
At Carlson Dental Group, we primarily use porcelain for our veneers. These are slightly pricier than composite resin veneers you may have encountered before, but have substantial benefits over them that make them work the cost.
For one, porcelain has much greater durability than composite resin, lasting 10-15 years as opposed to 5-7. They also provide much higher quality results, and are much more resistant to damage.
Can You Whiten Veneers?
The porcelain that veneers are made out of is much less porous than your natural enamel. While this makes them resistant to stains, is also means that whitening gel can’t penetrate into them. As a result, teeth whitening doesn’t work on veneers. If you want to change their color you’ll need to replace them.
That’s why you’ll need to be proactive about keeping veneers white, avoiding foods and drinks that could cause them to darken. While veneers are resistant to discoloration, enough coffee and red wine could still cause problems after enough time.