Hi, I'm Dr. Abalos with Sunbrite Dental, and I am here to talk about veneers. I often get a lot of questions regarding veneers, especially since they're really popular on TikTok. Hopefully, I can dispel some of the confusion regarding veneers, what they are, what the process entails, and provide general information about veneers.
What are veneers?
Veneers are like half a crown, meaning only the front part of your tooth is covered by a thin shell of porcelain. Let’s say you want to change the size, shape, and color of your teeth, something that cannot be corrected with Invisalign. Invisalign only lines up your teeth and makes them straight. But if your teeth are proportionately too small or too squatty for your face, or the opposite, too big, veneers would be the way to go. That's the only way we dentists can change the size and shape of your teeth. Other times, I've had patients come in because they're grinding. Over the years, their teeth have gotten squattier and really flat. Naturally, our two front teeth are a bit bigger, and we have canine teeth that are a little pointier. Grinders lose that distinctive look, ending up with teeth that look more square, like little gum pieces I call chicklets. That’s another instance where I recommend veneers. I can change the shape, add the height that was lost by grinding, and give each tooth its distinctive shape. Another instance is patients who want really white teeth, not refrigerator white, but a natural bright smile. For coffee drinkers or those who can't achieve their desired color with laser whitening, veneers are ideal because they're made of porcelain, like toilet bowls. We maintain toilet bowls, and they stay white. It's the same with veneers. They stay the color we choose, regardless of coffee or natural tooth shade.
Are veneers permanent or removable?
When we do veneers here, they are permanently cemented onto your natural teeth. We do the veneers individually. I've seen instances where it's just a row of teeth cemented as one piece. We don't like that. We want to keep teeth as individual as possible. It's easier to clean, and it helps avoid issues like gum bleeding and tooth rotting. Remember, wherever food goes, bacteria go, and where bacteria go, problems happen. That's why we keep individual veneers, so you can brush and floss as usual. You can use a water pick. The better patients clean them and come back for maintenance, the longer veneers last.
What should I expect throughout the process of getting veneers?
If you come here and choose veneers, we do a lot of information collecting before you leave. We take many pictures of your face from different angles—front not smiling, front smiling, profile smiling, not smiling, and vice versa. We work with a lab to pick the proper size and shape proportional to your face. We want to give you the most natural-looking smile, not a fake smile, just an enhanced smile. We also take molds of your existing teeth. The lab does a wax-up, teeth made of wax over your natural teeth, to preview your new size and shape. That wax-up serves as a template for your appointment, where we prepare your teeth. You'll leave with temporary veneers in their new size and shape. You can test them out and take selfies. If there's anything you don't like, while waiting for your permanent veneers, you can address concerns with the doctor. We'll adjust the temporaries based on your feedback, ensuring you're happy before cementing the final veneers. We avoid situations where you're unhappy on the cementation day. We want you to say, "Oh my god, I love it," and I'm a hugger, so I love the hugs, especially the ones where patients are overwhelmed with happiness.
Will veneers match the color of my teeth?
That depends on your decision. I've had patients who wanted to correct the look of their smile or the spaces between their teeth but didn't want to improve the color. In that instance, we match the veneers to the neighboring natural teeth for uniformity. Another instance is when patients want top and bottom veneers but can't do both simultaneously for financial reasons. We discuss long-term plans for their smile. Some patients want brighter veneers and don't mind a temporary color difference between top and bottom teeth. One patient chose that and used laser whitening to minimize the color difference. Some patients intend to do only the tops, but on cementation day, they love the results and ask, "How soon can you do the bottoms?" We adapt to what the patient wants for their smile.
How long will it take to place veneers on my teeth?
From the time we take photos and molds, it takes about 7 to 10 business days for the lab to return the wax-up. Once we have the wax-up, we set the appointment to prepare your teeth for veneers. The patient will leave with temporary veneers made of acrylic. It's a trial period, and the patient has about two weeks to live with them and provide feedback. Two weeks later, we cement the final veneers.
Do veneers require special care?
Once you have the permanent veneers on, you can live like before having veneers. You can eat and drink whatever you like. Brush them like normal teeth, and floss between them. We love the Waterpik but prefer floss over nothing. Life goes back to normal. During the time you have temporaries, life is more cautious. No one wants a dental accident where the temporary cracks or breaks. I tell patients to be like the Queen of England, slicing food into small bites and eating with a fork. Once we cement the final veneers, you can bite into anything.
How long do veneers last?
Like anything in life, they last longer if maintained. If you take care of them, brush twice a day, floss or water pick once a day, and have regular dental visits, they can last a long time. It's often the regular visits that get dropped. Some think they don't need to see the dentist because they have veneers, but the natural teeth supporting them can still rot. Regular visits can prevent issues like plaque buildup. We coach patients on areas needing more care. Veneers can last more than 30 years. I've had a patient tell me their veneers are older than me!
Does insurance cover the cost of veneers and are there financing options?
Unfortunately, dental insurance doesn't cover cosmetic procedures like veneers. They only cover issues like rotting or breaking teeth. For cosmetic improvements, insurance won't help. Many patients use payment plans for veneers. One patient did the tops first and paid down the plan before doing the bottoms. We work with your financial situation because we don't want to solve teeth problems by giving you financial problems. Good conversations with patients about expectations and finances allow us to phase treatment without burdening you financially.
I hope I answered any questions you may have had about veneers. If I didn't, please feel free to give me a call. You can reach me at Sunbrite Dental at (702) 819-0866. You can also text or email me at [email protected]. See you next time.
Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas offers a wide range of dental services, including dental veneers. Dental veneers in Las Vegas are thin, custom-made shells that are designed to cover the front surface of your teeth. They are made from porcelain or from composite resin material. Veneers are also an excellent way to protect your teeth from further damage.
The team at Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas will work with you to determine if dental veneers are the best option for you and then help you choose the right type of veneer to achieve your desired results.
Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of teeth that need a better appearance. With dental veneers, there are so many improvements we can create in just a few weeks from start to finish.
Look at all the enhancements we can make:
- Close gaps between teeth
- Improve poorly shaped teeth
- Even out the length of the teeth
- Cover deep staining
- Make a smile more uniform
- Correct chipped or broken teeth
- Straighten moderately crooked teeth
What benefits can you get from Dental Veneers in Las Vegas?
At Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas, we offer dental veneers as a solution for patients who are looking to improve the appearance of their smile. They are made from porcelain or composite material and can be used to correct a variety of aesthetic concerns, such as chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, veneers can also help to protect your teeth from further damage.
The benefits of dental veneers can include a more youthful appearance, a boost in confidence, and improved oral health
Am I a candidate for Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can give you a beautiful, flawless smile. But not everyone is a candidate for dental veneers. The best candidates for dental veneers are people who have healthy teeth and gums and who do not grind their teeth.
People who have tooth discoloration, misaligned teeth, or gaps in their teeth may also be good candidates for dental veneers. If you are considering dental veneers, the first step is to schedule a consultation with a dentist at Sunbrite Dental in Las vegas. During your consultation, the dentist will evaluate your mouth to determine if dental veneers are right for you.
You must have healthy teeth and gums and must also be willing to commit to good oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits. If you have any underlying dental concerns, such as decay or gum disease, these must be addressed before you can get veneers and our team at Sunbrite Dental will discuss your treatment options.
How to take care of your Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers at Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas are a popular cosmetic dentistry option that can give you a bright, white smile. But like your natural teeth, veneers require some care to keep them looking their best. Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas offers the following tips for taking care of your veneers:
- Brush and floss regularly. Just as you would with your natural teeth, brushing and flossing twice a day can help to remove plaque and bacteria from your veneers. Sunbrite Dental recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles and non-abrasive toothpaste.
- Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects. Biting your nails or chewing on ice can damage your veneers, so it’s best to avoid these habits.
- See your dentist for regular checkups. Be sure to schedule regular dental appointments so that your dentist can check the condition of your veneers. Sunbrite Dental also recommends getting professional teeth cleanings at least twice a year.
By following these simple tips, you can help to keep your veneers looking their best for years to come with the help of Sunbrite Dental in Las Vegas.
If you’ve been dreaming of a more beautiful smile, we can place veneers on a single tooth or all your visible teeth to give you a completely enhanced smile.
Please call us if you have any questions or are ready to schedule an appointment (702) 819-0866.