Porcelain Veneers
Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your front teeth? Porcelain veneers are quickly becoming one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for patients who are looking to revamp their smiles, and it is no surprise why. This option can provide a dramatic smile transformation in less than a month — and it’s a change that will last for years and years with proper maintenance. We are happy to offer porcelain veneers to our patients at Indy Dental Group. Keep reading to learn more about porcelain veneers, including what they are, what they fix, how long it takes to get veneers, whether or not you are a candidate, and more. And when you are ready to get started, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our office. We can’t wait to get started on your most attractive smile!
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a thin porcelain covering that is custom-built to look just like an individual tooth — but, of course, better. A veneer can be affixed to the front surface of any of the teeth that show when you smile. This treatment works by simply masking a cosmetically imperfect tooth, enhancing it with a customized covering that looks, feels, and functions just like a natural tooth. You may need several veneers to improve the appearance of your smile, or you may only require one or two to improve its overall appearance. And yes, porcelain veneers are as sturdy as they are beautiful. Even though we associate porcelain with finer things like dolls and tea sets, a restoration made out of porcelain can withstand the normal forces of chewing and speaking. You can feel free to enjoy life as usual after getting porcelain veneers.
What Can Porcelain Veneers Fix?
Porcelain veneers are so popular precisely because they can be used in such a wide variety of cases. With dental veneers, your cosmetic dentist is able to fix just about every visible imperfection that may be affecting your healthy front teeth. However, if you have serious structural issues that are the result of injury or disease (like broken, decayed, or severely worn down teeth), you may require a restoration that offers a little more support. Dental crowns, cosmetic bonding, and inlays/onlays are a few alternative options for structurally damaged teeth. You and your cosmetic dentist will discuss your particular case in depth to determine which method may be best for your smile.
Just a few of the cosmetic issues that are easily fixed with porcelain veneers include:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Stains or discoloration that have not responded to teeth whitening
- Odd texture — like pitted and grooved teeth
- Teeth that appear too short or stubby
- Pointy teeth that look like fangs
- Slight gaps between teeth
- Slightly misaligned or off-center teeth
Consider the last two points for a moment — porcelain veneers are a wonderful option for teeth that are slightly gapped or misaligned, which means that choosing this option can help you avoid the need for orthodontics altogether. In these cases, dental veneers have an “instant braces” effect.
What Are the Advantages of Porcelain Veneers?
Dental veneers offer a number of advantages for patients who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their front teeth, and we have already mentioned several of them. We have listed some of the most common benefits associated with dental veneers below — which one(s) will you enjoy most?
- Porcelain veneers instantly transform your smile with a single treatment. That means you won’t have to see your dentist for multiple individual procedures to improve the size, shape, color, and overall appearance of the teeth that show when you smile. Dental veneers take care of it all in just two visits to the dentist’s office (find more on the process for veneers below).
- Dental veneers are highly customizable to match the size, shape, and overall appearance that will suit your smile best. You do not have to worry about getting a smile that’s too white or unnaturally perfect with veneers (unless, of course, you would like that). You and your cosmetic dentist will discuss your treatment plan in-depth to ensure you get the look that suits your unique facial structure best.
- Dental porcelain is highly resistant to stains. Unlike your natural tooth enamel, porcelain is not porous — and that means it will not absorb the shades of highly pigmented foods and beverages like red wine, ripe berries, tomato sauce, and other items. In fact, dental porcelain is so stain-resistant that you can think of veneers as permanent teeth whitening.
- Porcelain also reflects light in the exact same way as tooth enamel, for the most natural-looking results possible.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Are you thinking about transforming your pearly whites with veneers? You may be hesitant because they’re often thought to be expensive, but they’re actually far more affordable than you think! Regardless, our team at Indy Dental Group wants to ensure you get the right service for your needs, which is why we want to detail the financial aspects of our cosmetic dental treatments. Click the button below and consider your options carefully to see if veneers are the best choice!
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
These days, you have many options to turn your smile into one you’ve always dreamed of. Keep in mind that each cosmetic procedure has different costs, timelines, and life expectancies. For that reason, it’s crucial to explore the different solutions so you can better determine which one is right for you.
Let’s take a closer look at some of our available treatments:
- Dental Bonding – Only have minor dental imperfections? You may want to consider dental bonding. It’s an affordable and quick treatment! However, it will need to be redone every few years to maintain stunning results.
- Crown Lengthening – If your smile looks uneven because of your gum tissue, this procedure can remove any excess to create a more pleasing shape. Not only is the treatment fast, but it is painless. It’s worth noting that it can only change your gums, not your teeth.
- Invisalign – Unlike metal braces, this modern orthodontic treatment uses a series of clear aligners to move your teeth into proper alignment. Since it can only change the position of your teeth, you may want to explore other solutions if you want to address shape and color as well.
- Veneers – While this option is more costly, it’s the only one capable of addressing multiple issues at once. Plus, you can expect your new smile to last over 15 years with proper maintenance!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Veneers aren’t typically covered by dental insurance because they’re not considered “medically necessary”. Fortunately, we offer alternative methods to make your cosmetic dental treatment affordable! Our practice accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, and checks.
Additionally, we partner with CareCredit to offer third-party financing. It allows you to split up the total cost of your care into smaller monthly installments. You can sign up for payment plans that come with little-to-no interest! If you need help with the application process, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Veneers FAQs
How Long Do Veneers Last?
When cared for properly, veneers can stay strong and healthy for up to 20 years. They will eventually need to be replaced due to natural movement and changes in your teeth and gums. If a veneer breaks or is otherwise damaged, it will usually need to be completely replaced — most veneers cannot be repaired, since they are a single piece of porcelain. Maintaining proper oral hygiene techniques will help to ensure that your veneers last for as long as possible. These include:
- Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, and floss daily. While your veneers will not develop tooth decay, the teeth that support them are still vulnerable — and your gums are always at risk of developing gum disease.
- Brush your teeth gently to avoid gum recession. This can cause the gum tissue to pull away from where it should be against the veneers.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste to remineralize your tooth enamel and protect your teeth from plaque and bacteria.
- Wear a customized mouthguard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night. Repeated pressure caused by sports or nighttime teeth grinding (the condition known as bruxism) can cause the veneers to chip or break.
- Avoid biting directly into hard, crunchy, or chewy foods.
- Visit your dentist as recommended for routine checkups and cleanings.
- If you feel like a veneer is damaged or loosening, be sure to contact us as soon as possible.
How Long Is the Procedure for Veneers?
Veneers are completed over the course of two visits to your dentist. In total, the process usually lasts from two to three weeks. You and your cosmetic dentist will discuss the specifics of your treatment plan in your initial consultation, so you will know just how much time to plan for your veneers.
In the first appointment, your dentist will begin by putting together your treatment plan and preparing your teeth to receive the veneers. In most cases, we will need to remove the very outermost layer of tooth enamel from each tooth that will receive a veneer. Without this important step, we run the risk of the veneers looking bulky or the lips puffing out once an extra layer has been added. After the enamel has been removed, we will take an impression of your teeth — this is a model that the laboratory will use to craft each veneer out of a single piece of porcelain. We will place temporary veneers on each tooth in the time between appointments. Once the veneers have been created and are ready for placement, you return to our office for the final procedure, when we remove each temporary veneer, check to make sure each veneer looks just like it should, and then securely bond them onto your prepared teeth. And the result? Fabulous — we know you will love your new smile.
Am I a Good Candidate for Veneers?
If you are an adult and wish to improve the appearance of the teeth that show when you smile, chances are that you are a great candidate for porcelain veneers! We recommend that this procedure be performed on patients over the age of 18, as we want to make sure that the teeth are finished forming before placing veneers to avoid the need to replace them after a surprise last growth spurt. Remember that veneers are also most effective for teeth that are otherwise healthy — we will recommend a checkup and cleaning before undergoing any elective procedure. Any existing issues should be treated in advance of getting veneers.
Do Veneers Change Your Face?
Veneers provide extra support for the mouth’s musculature, so they help to accentuate the cheekbones. The mouth loses elasticity and muscle tone as one gets older, so having some extra support from veneers can make a big difference. For some people, veneers can provide a face-lift-like effect. During your consultation, we can discuss the impact that veneers will have on the shape of your face.
Is It Painful to Get Veneers?
Many patients are hesitant to get veneers because they are worried that the procedure will be painful. We will always do everything we can to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible while in the dental chair. The first step when getting veneers is to numb the area with a local anesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. You may experience some soreness and sensitivity for a few days afterward, but this is temporary and can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
How are Veneers Different from Crowns?
Veneers are thin shells that are approximately 1 millimeter in thickness. They are only attached to the front-facing surfaces of the teeth and are generally only used for cosmetic purposes and minor shape corrections when the tooth is mostly intact. On the other hand, a dental crown is shaped to cover the entire chewing surface of the tooth and is about 2 millimeters in thickness. Crowns are used for building up and protecting worn and damaged teeth.
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
The goal of veneers is for all of your visible teeth to match, so you will receive an appropriate number to accomplish this goal. Some patients get a single veneer to cover one tooth while others get as many as 6 to 12 for a more complete smile makeover. During your consultation with us, we can discuss what the right number of veneers is to help you achieve your smile goals.