Longmont Dental Veneers
If you’ve ever considered dental veneers to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile, then this blog post is for you! We cover what veneers are, the different types available, alternatives, and what to expect before, during, and after their placement if you choose to get them.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made, tooth-colored shells that your dentist attaches to the front surfaces of your teeth to correct imperfections and improve their appearance in terms of color and shape.
Veneers are one of the most common dental cosmetic procedures, and there are several types available depending on your specific goals.
What Are Lumineers?
Lumineers are a brand of veneers, which are prefabricated and removable because dentists don’t need to drill them into the teeth like veneers. However, Lumineers are thinner and more translucent than veneers, which is not a good option for patients with severely discolored teeth. We don’t use them at Longmont Dental Loft.
What Do Veneers Correct?
Veneers correct a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including:
- Discolored teeth
- Worn teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Irregularly-shaped teeth
- Gaps in teeth
Types of Veneers
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are made of the same material used in dental bonding. We sometimes use these for patients under 20 who have experienced tooth trauma or want to resize small teeth. They’re a temporary placement only, as your teeth continue to grow until approximately the age of 20, and they need to grow in fully for porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
We typically use porcelain veneers as they’re the most durable and attractive, and they’re more customizable than other materials. Sometimes, we have a lab manufacture them; sometimes, we do them ourselves.
No-Prep Veneers
No-prep veneers don’t involve prepping your teeth before applying them. Although some patients opt for them because they’re cheaper and faster to place, we don’t use them because they’re not durable enough.
Removable Veneers
Also known as pop-ons, removable veneers are trial veneers, so you can see how they look before opting for something more permanent. You could put them on and decide right away if you want to get permanent ones, or you could wear them for several weeks before deciding.
Can I Remove Composite or Porcelain Veneers?
You can remove composite veneers because they’re temporary, but porcelain veneers are permanent. We drill porcelain veneers into your existing teeth and remove a bit of enamel from them, so you’ll need to wear them for the rest of your life.
Can I See How I’ll Look with Veneers Before Getting Them?
Yes, we use a highly accurate smile design that will show your entire face so you can see exactly what your teeth — and smile — will look like with veneers. We could also make temporary ones to place on your teeth so you could see how they’ll look in real life.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Veneers?
Pros
- You could pick the color and shape you want
- They look beautiful
- They won’t stain like your natural teeth
Cons
- You will need to wear them for the rest of your life
- You’ll need to change them about every 20 years
Procedure for Composite and Porcelain Veneers
The process requires some preparation along with the actual procedure, where we:
- Prepare each tooth by drilling a hole into it so we can attach the veneers securely
- Scan each tooth with a 3D scanning machine
- Send the scan to the lab or design the veneers in-house
- Provide you with temporary veneers to wear until your permanent ones are ready
- Place the permanent veneers and set them with permanent adhesive
Do Veneers Pose Any Risks or Side Effects?
A veneer could pop off, but this is very rare. They could also increase the risk of gum disease if you don’t maintain a suitable oral regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Side effects include teeth sensitivity and inflamed gums as your mouth adjusts to the veneers.
How Do I Care for Veneers?
You take care of them just like you would regular teeth. You may also want to consider using a Waterpik, if you don’t already, to further flush debris from between your teeth.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
They last for about 20 years before you’ll need to get a new set.
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
They usually cost around $2,000 per tooth
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Veneers?
Generally, no, as they’re typically considered a cosmetic procedure.
Am I a Candidate for Veneers?
Function comes first at Longmont Dental Loft, but we can enhance the color and/or shape of your teeth for cosmetic reasons. You’re a candidate if you:
Have a proper bite
You need to have a proper bite — which we determine by analyzing your teeth positioning and size — for veneers to last a long time. If you don’t have a proper bite, you will need to wear Invisalign or traditional braces first. About 70% of our patients need Invisalign or traditional braces before getting veneers.
Are age 20 or older
Because your teeth can change shape up until the age of 20, we only perform veneers on patients 20 and older.
What Are Alternatives to Veneers?
Crowns
Dental crowns are more aggressive than veneers, and some patients get them depending on the accuracy of their bite and teeth positioning. If they’re not a problem, then it’s better to get veneers, which look the same as crowns and have the same durability as long as the treatment is correct.
Bonding
Less aggressive than veneers, bonding involves little to no tooth drilling; instead, it consists of applying tooth-colored resin to your teeth to alter their shape. But bonding is not a long-term solution, as it’s not as durable as veneers and will only last a few years. We usually offer bonding to patients under 20 as a temporary alternative until they’re old enough for veneers.
Summary
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth — whether it’s because of their shape, color, or both — veneers are a great option to change them for the better. And because they’re durable, long-lasting, and easy to care for, you could enjoy the results along with a bright smile for a lifetime.
Now that you know all about veneers, if you have any questions or would like to see what your smile would look like with them please call us at 303-772-6333.
