Are Veneers Right for Me?
Are you thinking about having cosmetic dental work and are confused by all the different options? You may be wondering if veneers would be the right choice to enhance your appearance, or to make that awkward gap in your smile disappear. You may also have questions like, “What happens when I get a veneer?” or “Do I even need a veneer?”
Here is some information from Dr. Jill B. Smith, DMD, the Boston dentist at Dental Health and Wellness Boston, that you can use to determine if veneers are right for you.
Q: I have heard on talk radio that a lot of movie stars are getting veneers. Exactly what is a veneer?
A: Veneers are slender pieces of ceramic that are shaped like natural teeth and bonded in place to alter a tooth’s appearance. You may alter your teeth to look whiter and straighter for glamour, or to correct one tooth that is different from the rest in order to make your smile more uniform. Veneers can close spaces or gaps between teeth (see Shane real story link to web site) or be used as instant orthodontics to straighten a crooked tooth or teeth. Veneers are a long lasting treatment that can dramatically change your smile.
Q: When are veneers recommended by Dr. Smith?
A: If you have one or multiple teeth that are darker than the rest of your teeth, gaps or spaces between your teeth, veneers are a durable way to dramatically change your smile. Also if your teeth are not even in size or your smile has old fillings in your front teeth, you may want to consider veneers. Did you know that often veneers can also be an alternative to braces? Rotated teeth, crowded teeth, or broken teeth can be fixed without the time and work involved with traditional orthodontics or Invisalign(link to invisalign page).
Q: Do I know people who have veneers?
A: A lot of people have veneers. Historically veneers were only thought of for only movie stars and fashion models, however, in recent years, veneers have become a commonly used cosmetic dental procedure enhancing the smiles of both men and woman. They match the teeth so perfectly and look so natural; you probably don’t know who has veneers!
Q: How much do veneers cost?
A: Veneers are made at a dental laboratory custom fit to your smile and personality. The lab work and expertise required for this type of work is rather extensive. Currently veneers are $1600 per tooth so a new smile can be a significant investment depending on how many teeth are included. A typical smile design in veneers includes 6-8 upper teeth and teeth whitening of the other teeth and can $10,000 – $15,000 dollars. There are financing and payment plans available to fit that into your budget!
Q: What happens during the process of getting veneers?
A: When you decide to get veneers, you will meet with Dr. Jill B. Smith, DMD(link to Bio) to discuss your goals and preferences as to how you would like your new smile will look. She will also address any question or concerns you may have. During this appointment you will discuss details about the procedure, smile design, as well as color and materials choice. You can also use this appointment to browse our before and after book of real patients who have had their smiles enhanced with cosmetic dentistry.
During your second visit, the teeth are smoothed, and minimized by about on half of one millimeter. This appointment generally requires a local anesthetic, and takes about two hours. A temporary veneer will also be made for you during this appointment to protect your teeth while the new ceramic veneers are being created especially for you.
During your third visit, we will “try in” your new veneers, to ensure they look natural and create the smile you have envisioned. After confirming the fit, feel and look of your new veneers, we will clean the teeth and cement the veneer, following with laser light it to harden the bonding. Once your veneers are in place, we advise you to come back in 2 weeks for a follow up where we will check your bite, verify homecare for your veneers and photograph your new smile.
Q: How long will my veneers last?
A: Veneers are a long lasting and durable way to improve your smile. The average veneer lasts approximately 10 years and longer. The color of porcelain will not stain so the color of your smile will stay the same over that whole time. If for any reason the veneers need to be replaced, it is a reasonably simple procedure very similar in time and costs to your appointments to place the veneers originally.
For more information on veneers please see the following articles:
Why Veneers?
A Celebrity Smile is Attainable!
Dr. Jill B. Smith, DMD and her team at Dental Health & Wellness Boston are the place to go in Boston for the very best that cosmetic dentistry has to offer. Call and schedule a complimentary consultation appointment today at (617) 742-1220. You will be glad you did!
