What are Porcelain Veneers?
A porcelain veneer is an extremely thin shell of porcelain that bonds to the front surface of your tooth. Here at Gentle Dentistry, Drs. Loc Tong and Angela Rasmussen use veneers to change the shape, color, size, and symmetry of the teeth and smiles. In cosmetic dentistry, porcelain is the material of choice because it replicates human enamel most naturally.
Dr. Tong and Dr. Rasmussen use only the most superior porcelain systems and the highest-quality laboratories available in cosmetic dentistry today. This allows them to achieve equally beautiful results, and the doctors will help you decide which option is best for you.
What are the benefits of placing porcelain veneers?
You could answer that question with another – “What’s the value of a beautiful, ideal, bright smile?” That’s the benefit of placing veneers onto your teeth. Porcelain veneers can cover many tooth imperfections without having to resort to procedures such as orthodontics or implant placement. In just as little as two appointments, you can completely remake your smile in the way you’ve always desired. If you’ve been self-conscious about teeth affected by tetracycline or other types of staining, porcelain veneers can give you the confidence you are after. The same is true for uneven teeth, teeth with subtle gaps between them, misshapen teeth, and other cosmetic concerns.
How much do they cost?
The cost of your veneers depends on how many teeth you wish to cover. A typical full smile design ranges from eight to 12 teeth but can involve as little as one to four teeth. Maybe you have a single tooth that is discolored due to trauma from when you were in college. Perhaps you have two misshapen teeth. Or maybe you’d like to place veneers on all of your visible front teeth. During your consultation, we can discuss your options and costs. They range from $1,500-$2,000 per tooth.
Who is an ideal candidate for porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are the perfect cover-up for various cosmetic flaws with a person’s teeth. These are some great uses for veneers:
- Revitalizing the surface of a tooth
- Concealing chips
- Covering stained, discolored teeth
- Closing gaps between teeth
- Masking alignment problems
- Covering minor cracks or wear
- Providing an alternative to orthodontic work
But for the Gentle Dentistry team to apply veneers, your teeth have to be healthy in the first place. A healthy foundation leads to a healthy and beautiful result. Porcelain veneers are meant to cover certain cosmetic issues, such as deep staining or chips. They do not correct underlying problems, such as decay or deep cracks. If you have oral health problems, such as gum disease or decay (cavities), those need to be addressed before we can place veneers on your teeth.
How do I care for my teeth with porcelain veneers on them?
Porcelain veneers don’t require any special cleaning or maintenance at home; they just require regular brushing and flossing. While you can basically eat whatever you like, you may want to avoid things such as candy apples or bones, as veneers can sometimes detach or chip.
Will my veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining. Your natural teeth will stain far more and far faster than your veneers.
Veneers
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