Dental veneers offer a fast track to achieving the bright, healthy smile you dream of. Whether you’re self-conscious about discoloration or want to hide a chipped tooth, veneers could be the ideal solution.
But before you commit to veneers, it’s essential to be fully informed about them, how they function, and how to extend their durability. The best way to get this information is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with your dentist.
To help make the most of your consultation, here are a few questions about dental veneers you might ask your dentist.
What Exactly Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells made from porcelain or resin that cover the front of teeth to enhance their look. They’re custom-made to fit your mouth and are bonded to your teeth to change their color, shape, size, or length.
Veneers are an excellent cosmetic option for fixing discolored, chipped, worn down, or uneven teeth, offering a long-lasting and attractive cosmetic solution that can really transform your smile.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are among the top choices for cosmetic dentistry, but when do you need veneers? In general, veneers might be a great fit if any of the following apply:
- You’re dealing with severe discoloration or stains on your teeth that haven’t improved with whitening treatments.
- Your teeth have minor aesthetic flaws, such as chips, cracks, or an irregular shape.
- There are noticeable gaps between your teeth.
- You still have a healthy amount of tooth enamel.
- Your overall oral health and hygiene are in good shape.
Your dentist will gladly help determine if veneers can meet your cosmetic goals or if another treatment suits your needs better.
How Many Veneers Do You Have to Get?
The number of veneers you need depends on your specific dental goals and the issues you want to address. Some people choose to get a single veneer to fix a chipped tooth, while others might get six to eight veneers to create a symmetrical, uniform look across their visible front teeth. It’s common for people to opt for veneers on all the teeth that show when they smile. Ultimately, the decision is based on personal preference and the recommendations of your dentist as to how many teeth you need to get veneers on.
Will Insurance Pay for Dental Veneers?
Typically, dental insurance covers a portion of the expenses for restorative treatments; if your veneers are being applied to fix cracked teeth, your insurance may contribute toward the cost. However, if your veneers are purely for cosmetic or elective purposes, insurance is unlikely to cover any expenses.
At Owens Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we make achieving your perfect smile easy with our financing through CareCredit.
How Long Does it Take to Get Dental Veneers?
Getting dental veneers usually requires two or three visits to your dentist, so it’s a good idea to ask about the timeline before you start. First, an aesthetic consultation is conducted to take some records, which means measuring and examining your facial structure to ensure your veneers will look proportional.
About three weeks later, you’ll have a longer preparation appointment. During this appointment, your teeth might be lightly shaped by removing about 0.5 mm of enamel (though, in some cases, they don’t need to remove any tooth structure) to ensure the veneers fit perfectly. We’ll then take impressions of your mouth to create a model, which we will send to an offsite lab.
At the lab, the veneers are customized to match the fit, color, and look you want. Then, two to three weeks after your prep visit, you’ll have the final step, where the veneers are placed and cemented onto your teeth, ensuring everything is set securely.
Does it Hurt to Get Dental Veneers?
Most patients report little to no discomfort from this minimally invasive process. The only preparation needed for your veneers is removing a thin layer of tooth enamel; any discomfort you experience during this step will be minor. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort and help alleviate dental anxiety.
However, due to enamel removal after the initial preparation stage, you may experience some post-treatment sensitivity to hot, cold, or acidic substances. Using a desensitizing mouth rinse may help reduce any discomfort.
What Can I Eat With Dental Veneers?
With dental veneers, your eating habits remain mostly unchanged. However, using a fork and knife to cut your food is recommended rather than biting into it with your front teeth once you have veneers. For instance, slice it into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into an apple. There are certain foods you might want to avoid after getting veneers, such as:
- Hard candies
- Crunchy foods like raw carrots
- Sticky treats like caramel
- Meats that are tough to chew
What Can I Do to Keep My Veneers Clean?
Once you have your dental veneers, you’ll want to maintain their bright and new appearance. Your dentist will offer specific cleaning and maintenance advice, but in general, here’s what you can do to prolong the life of your veneers and help them last 10 years or more:
- Regularly brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss your teeth
- Keep up with your scheduled dental cleanings
- Reduce your intake of beverages that can stain your teeth, such as coffee and soda
- Avoid smoking or using tobacco products
Are There Any Downsides to Getting Veneers?
It’s important to discuss any drawbacks of veneers with your dentist. These might include their unsuitability for those with gum disease, the irreparability of cracked or chipped veneers requiring full replacement, and potential sensitivity to temperature changes in natural teeth.
Brighten Your Smile with Dental Veneers
Ready to transform your smile into the radiant, confident one you’ve always dreamed of? Dental veneers could be your answer! Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let us answer any other questions you have about dental veneers, from how many of your teeth need veneers to aftercare instructions. Don’t wait to start your journey toward a brighter, healthier-looking smile with dental veneers.
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