Reviews
Porcelain Veneers
If you could hit the refresh button on your smile, would you? We’ve got good news — with porcelain veneers, you can! These thin coverings of dental porcelain completely remake the size, shape, and overall appearance of the teeth that show when you smile. And our treatment plans are customized to fit your specific unique needs! Dr. Yang is the cosmetic dentist providing natural-looking veneers. Learn more below, then schedule an appointment to get started today!
Who Are Porcelain Veneers Good For?
Most adult patients are eligible for porcelain veneers. Because they work by simply covering up the damaged tooth enamel, veneers can fix virtually any cosmetic issue. Teeth that are functionally flawed, however, may be better served by a crown.
Porcelain veneers can correct teeth that are…
- Chipped or cracked
- Uneven or slightly misaligned
- Gapped
- Misshapen
- Oddly textured
- Stained or severely discolored
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
The advantages associated with porcelain veneers are many. Some of the most frequently cited include…
- Multiple cosmetic imperfections improved all at once
- Dental porcelain does not stain as quickly as natural tooth enamel
- Can eliminate the need for braces
- Minimally-invasive procedure
- Can last for many years
Procedure for Porcelain Veneers
If porcelain veneers are the chosen solution for your smile, you can expect the procedure to take place over the course of two visits to The Smilist Dental Medford. In the first, we will prepare your teeth for the veneers. Preparation typically involves removing a small portion of enamel from the surface of each tooth — making room to ensure the veneers do not stick out against the rest of the teeth.
After the teeth have been prepared, we will take impressions, or molds, of your teeth. These measurements will be sent with your treatment plan to our trusted lab, where your veneers will be created according to the specific dimensions of your smile. You return to our office for their final placement one or two weeks later.
Temporary veneers will cover your prepared teeth in the time between appointments. When you return to our office, we will remove the temporaries and check to make sure the permanent veneers fit and function just like they should. We can make last minute adjustments as needed. Once everything is just as it should be, we will bond each veneer securely onto the surface of the teeth.
Veneers can last for a decade or more with proper care. Brush your veneers gently with your favorite toothpaste, floss carefully, and protect your smile with a custom-fitted mouth-guard if you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night. If you experience any issues or discomfort with your veneers, contact your dentist immediately.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
If this is your first time looking into veneers, then reading through the above information will be extremely helpful to learn all about the procedure and its benefits. With that being said, it’s natural to have one lingering question: how much do they cost? It’s a popular question among many prospective patients. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are a few things you should know. Keep reading to learn what they are!
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?
Thanks to advancements in dentistry, you can enhance your smile with numerous lifelike, long-lasting, painless treatments. With this in mind, there are a few important things to consider when weighing the price of popular cosmetic dental services against the cost of veneers.
- Braces – When it comes to correcting misalignment, from overlapped teeth to spaced-out ones, braces are a tried-and-true solution. The one drawback is that it can take more than six months to address even minor orthodontic issues. Veneers, on the other hand, can correct minor gaps and slightly crooked teeth in as little as two visits.
- Teeth Whitening – If stubborn stains are what make you unhappy with your smile, a professional teeth whitening treatment can lighten your teeth up to eight shades in just one hour! However, veneers are the only treatment that can address permanent discoloration. Plus, they can brighten your smile while simultaneously concealing any other dental flaws, like chips and cracks.
- Direct Bonding – Also known as cosmetic bonding, this popular cosmetic dental treatment is extremely versatile. Like veneers, it can correct the shape, shade, and size of your teeth. There is one major difference though: longevity. While veneers can last for more than two decades with proper care, dental bonding needs to be touched-up every few years.
- Veneers – While veneers (in some cases) have a higher upfront cost than the services mentioned above, they are the only treatment that effectively addresses multiple flaws at once and lasts for 20+ years. Plus, the entire procedure can be completed in as little as two appointments, so you can enjoy your new and improved smile sooner rather than later.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Since veneers aren’t considered “medically necessary,” they typically aren’t covered by dental insurance providers. Don’t fret though – our cosmetic dentist offers other ways to make achieving your smile goals more affordable. To start, we have an in-house membership plan, which allows you to enjoy fully covered preventive care and significant discounts on other services. The best part? There is no annoying red tape to deal with, like annual maximums and deductibles. Flexible financing is another option, which allows you to space out payments instead of paying one lump sum upfront.
Schedule An Appointment Today!
Are you unhappy with the appearance of the teeth that show when you smile? If so, it’s time for you to consider a trip to the cosmetic dentist, Porcelain veneers remake aesthetically imperfect teeth! Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Veneers FAQs
Choosing to enhance your smile with veneers can be a big decision, and before you move forward, you may have some questions. We want to answer them for you so there’s no doubt in your mind! Here are some of our responses to common questions our patients have asked us in the past. Take a look at them, but let us know if you have other questions, and we’ll set up an appointment for you!
Why Are Veneers Made of Porcelain?
Although it may seem strange to make dental products out of ceramic material at first glance, this material is actually quite durable. In fact, it is the material of choice for many dental prosthetics. and it has been known to last up to 20 years with the proper maintenance. Plus, it is even more resistant to stains than natural enamel. As a result, you can feel confident that your veneers will retain their brightness for a long time.
What’s the Difference Between Veneers and Dental Crowns?
Veneers and crowns may both be made of porcelain, but they look different and serve different functions. While veneers are thin sheets that affix to the front of teeth, crowns cover up the entire top portion of the tooth. Crowns may be used for cosmetic purposes and are designed to look natural, but they are mainly used to restore teeth after damage or decay. Veneers, on the other hand, are purely intended for cosmetic improvement. If you are unsure whether veneers or crowns are the treatment you need, a consultation will enable us to give you our professional recommendation for a strong, beautiful smile.
How Much Enamel Needs to Be Removed for Veneers?
At The Smilist Dental Medford, we believe in preserving as much of your natural, healthy tooth structure as possible. We only remove what’s necessary for the thin veneers to fit perfectly on your teeth. This means that we typically take off about 1 millimeter of enamel. This amount is enough to allow the veneer to not protrude and feel strange against your lips but to sit flush. That way, your veneers feel comfortable and natural.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Porcelain Veneers?
Generally, dental insurance does not apply to cosmetic procedures. As a result, veneers are likely not covered by your insurance plan. However, there are other ways to save on your treatment with us. You may be eligible for our in-house dental plan, which offers a discount on many services or qualify to apply for third-party financing through CareCredit or Wells Fargo Financing. Regardless of your financial situation, we’re here to help you make treatment affordable.