Dental News

What You Need to Know About Getting Veneers

January 10, 2016

Interested in using veneers to improve your smile? Here’s what you need to know.

What You Need to Know About Getting VeneersAre you interested in improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry? Veneers are one possible treatment that can help give you the smile of your dreams. Here is some helpful information about getting veneers.

What Veneers Can and Can’t Do

Veneers can cover up many cosmetic problems such as staining, unevenness, gaps, cracks, chips worn edges, and oddly sized teeth. However, sometimes these problems may be too severe for veneers to cover. For example, severe stains might still show through the veneer, and large gaps or really crooked teeth will need to be corrected with orthodontics.

How Veneers Are Placed

Veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth using a special dental adhesive. In most cases, it is necessary to remove a bit of the tooth surface in order to make room for the veneer and ensure it sits against the gums just like a natural tooth would. The tooth surface may also need to be etched to promote a better bond with the veneer.

Types of Veneers

There are various different types and brands of veneers to choose from. Typically, it is best to choose a porcelain veneer because porcelain looks the most like natural tooth enamel. You may also wish to consider choosing a brand like Lumineers, which are very thin veneers that often do not require the removal of tooth structure for placement.

Paying For Veneers

Unfortunately, since veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment, most dental insurance plans do not cover them. However, some plans do have a loophole: if you are getting old veneers replaced due to damage, rather than getting brand new veneers, it is possible that you could get some coverage for the treatment as a restorative procedure. If you want, our staff can help you investigate this possibility with your insurance company.

If you need to pay out of pocket for your veneers, it is often advantageous to use your HSA account for a bit of tax savings. However, if you cannot pay in full we also offer financing options.

Living with Veneers

In most respects, you can treat your veneers just like natural teeth. This means you need to brush them and floss around them carefully, right up to the gum line. You will want to be extra careful about biting down on ice or other hard objects that could potential crack your veneers. While keeping up good oral hygiene and avoiding putting unnecessary stress on your veneers will help them last longer, eventually veneers will need to be replaced. Typically, veneers last 5 to 10 years.

Make Your Appointment Today

To find out if you are a good candidate for veneers, schedule a consultation with one of our skilled cosmetic dentists today.

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