A dazzling smile can improve your confidence and help others see you as more attractive and interesting. Sadly, there are numerous flaws that can leave your grin looking less than perfect, such as small cracks, discolored spots, and misshapen teeth. How many appointments will it take to get rid of everything that has been bothering you about your smile? In many cases, the answer is two: one to prepare the teeth, and the other to quickly transform your appearance with beautiful veneers! Call EyeSmile today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Salibian to learn more.
Why Choose EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care for Veneers?
Able to Preview Results Before Starting
Highly Versatile Veneer Treatment Plans
Complete Smile Makeovers Available
What are Veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell used to improve the shape, size, and color of the teeth. It’s made of a material that resembles tooth enamel – not just the way it’s shaded but also how it reflects the light. Each veneer is customized to match each unique smile so that it looks and feels as natural as possible once it’s in place. Sometimes you might get a veneer for each visible tooth in your smile, but this isn’t always necessary; if only a few teeth need to be corrected, then it’s possible to make the desired transformation with just a small number of veneers.
Who is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
When considering veneers, you first need to ask what kind of changes you want to make to your teeth. Veneers are ideal for concealing chips and cracks, covering stained or discolored teeth, closing small gaps, hiding certain alignment issues, and improving the appearance of an unusually shaped tooth. Like most cosmetic treatments, veneers are only used if the teeth and gums in the affected area are in good health.
Benefits of Veneers
Versatility: Veneers are useful for a wide variety of cosmetic imperfections, and they can be used to make multiple corrections at once.
Less Invasive: The teeth do not have to have as much enamel removed to have a veneer placed compared to a normal dental crown.
Stain-Resistant: Even if you whiten your teeth, new stains can still form on the enamel. Veneers are typically made of non-porous material, so they don’t stain as easily.
Durability: A veneer can last for 15 years or longer with the right kind of maintenance.
Are Veneers a Permanent Solution?
Since you have to have your teeth altered to receive veneers, the procedure is seen as a permanent solution. However, veneers do have a finite lifespan. You can make them last as long as possible with good oral habits, but they will need to be replaced eventually. When that happens, you’ll need to have a new set placed. Once the teeth have had some enamel removed, they’ll always need to be covered with a veneer. Dr. Salibain can use computer images to show you how your teeth will look with veneers so that you can properly decide whether you’re ready to make a lifetime commitment.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Before you commit to veneers, you probably want to know how much treatment will cost. Remember every case is unique and will vary, which is why you need to meet with us one-on-one. During a consultation, we’ll closely examine your smile, discuss your needs and goals, go through your options, and talk about the costs associated. When you choose veneers, know that you’re getting the highest quality treatment that cosmetic dentistry has to offer. In this case, you certainly get what you pay for!
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right For Me
No two smiles are exactly the same, so it’s silly to think that just one treatment would work for everyone. That’s why we offer multiple procedures for those who wish to improve the look of their teeth. Here are some of the options and how you can determine which treatment would best meet your needs.
Braces: This treatment option is valuable for helping patients with moderate to severe alignment issues or gaps between teeth. However, it’s important to note that braces do nothing to correct the color or shape of teeth. Getting the final results can also take a long time—up to three years! If your alignment problems are minor, veneers are a faster option.
Teeth Whitening: If you’re looking for a simple solution to make your teeth more attractive, whitening can take years of stains off your teeth. It can also be cost effective and fast, but not all teeth respond to whitening; plus, this treatment doesn’t address the size or shape of teeth or any chips or gaps.
Direct Bonding: Compared to other cosmetic treatments, direct bonding tends to be the least expensive, and it basically does everything that veneers do in covering up imperfections. Just keep in mind that the composite resin needs to be replaced more frequently than veneers do—about every few years.
Veneers: Veneers may be expensive, but instead of having to undergo multiple treatments, you can close gaps, fill in chips, hide discoloration, and build confidence in just two or three appointments! No other dental procedure can accomplish so much and last as long as veneers have the potential to do.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Although the initial cost of veneers in Belmont may seem intimidating, there are ways to make it fit within your budget. Unfortunately, dental insurance rarely includes cosmetic treatment in benefits. But there’s an alternative to insurance! Our Wellness Dental Access Plan is a private membership plan that discounts all treatments performed at our office, including veneers. For a low monthly fee, you can get any treatment at a lower cost, putting your dream smile within your financial reach. If you would like to divide the total cost into smaller monthly payments, we also offer low-interest financing through CareCredit.
Veneers FAQs
Do you want to know more about veneers in Belmont? Our expert staff has answered some of the most common questions we hear from patients about veneers in the section below. For even more information about veneer treatment or to get started on your smile transformation, don’t hesitate to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Salibian.
Do Veneers Feel Like Real Teeth?
Many of our patients report that their veneers feel completely natural inside their mouths. After a few weeks of getting used to them, they don’t even notice their veneers when talking or eating! Porcelain is very smooth and does not irritate the soft tissues inside the mouth. Furthermore, veneers are custom-crafted for each patient to fit perfectly on their teeth. Veneer treatment does involve the removal of a small amount of enamel. This important step prevents veneers from protruding uncomfortably.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
You will still be able to enjoy your morning coffee after undergoing veneer treatment. In fact, if your veneers are made from porcelain, your new smile will actually be more stain-resistant than before. Porcelain is a nonporous material, so the particles in dark-colored foods and beverages have a harder time slipping beneath the surface. Excessive coffee consumption can still cause staining over time, however, so we recommend drinking coffee and other dark-colored beverages in moderation.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
In general, the average lifespan of veneers is around 10 to 15 years. However, every individual case is slightly different. For example, a 2012 study by Beier found that 94% of veneers lasted 10 years and 83% lasted 20 years. Veneer failure is often caused by fractures, chips, and cracks that may occur when the person does not take steps to protect their teeth. You can help extend the lifespan of your veneers by practicing excellent oral hygiene at home, avoiding biting on hard objects, and visiting a cosmetic dentist in Belmont twice a year for checkups.
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?
While veneers in Belmont can conceal a wide variety of dental flaws, not everyone is a good candidate for this cosmetic treatment. For instance, you should not get veneers if the tooth in question has a cavity or is otherwise suffering from decay. A veneer could make the tooth look prettier on the outside, but meanwhile, the problem could grow worse underneath.
Gum disease can also interfere with the veneer process. Swollen gums, which are a common sign of gum disease, can make it difficult to capture accurate impressions of your teeth. If the impressions don’t come out right, your veneers won’t fit properly.
Finally, bruxism (grinding teeth at night) should be stopped before veneers are placed. Otherwise, the restorations could become worn down or fractured.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Veneers?
Dental insurance does not normally cover cosmetic procedures like veneers. However, there are other ways to reduce the cost of veneers. For example, at EyeSmile Optometry & Dental Care of Belmont, we offer a Wellness Dental Access Plan. For either one flat annual rate or through manageable monthly payments, patients can take advantage of discounts on all their dental services (including cosmetic procedures) for the upcoming year. The Wellness Dental Access Plan is a great way to achieve the beautiful smile of your dreams without breaking the bank!