Should I Get Veneers? Factors to Consider

Written by Dalesandro DMD on March 30, 2022. Posted in Dental Veneers.

Practicing proper dental hygiene at home combined with a semiannual dental exam and cleaning goes far to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. But what about those dental imperfections and blemishes that regular oral hygiene cannot remedy?

One of the best ways to improve your smile is with porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are more effective at improving the appearance of your teeth than any professional whitening treatment on the market today.

While veneers can transform the smile of some people, they are not a one-size-fits-all remedy. You may be asking yourself, “should I get veneers?” but the real question is, are veneers right for you?

Read on to learn more about dental veneers and other cosmetic dentist services in Tucson.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin custom-built pieces of resin composite or porcelain that a cosmetic dentist places over your natural teeth to give them a white, straighter appearance.

Veneers are widely used in cosmetic dentistry because they effectively address many common dental issues, such as:

Chipped, broken, or uneven teeth
Teeth with crowding or spacing issues
Stained or discolored teeth that teeth whitening cannot improve

Who Can Get Veneers?

Your dentist will make the final recommendation on the best cosmetic treatment for your situation. However, there are prerequisites to move forward with any dental procedure.

Oral Hygiene

Your teeth must be spotless before starting the veneer process. Dental plaque transports bacteria, which can lead to infection. Your dentist and dental hygienist will make sure that your teeth are clean and healthy before signing off on the next steps.

Tooth Decay or Gum Disease

Dental veneers provide cosmetic benefits to the teeth only—they cannot repair underlying tooth or gum health issues. Covering a decayed tooth with a dental veneer will only make it worse. If your hygienist or dentist finds decay or disease during your cleaning, they will recommend options to improve tooth and gum health. In such cases, tooth restoration treatments will be necessary, including fillings, root canals, crowns, or dental implants.

The Dental Veneer Process

Veneer placement requires multiple appointments to create natural-looking teeth that fit perfectly over your existing teeth.

Initial Consultation

During this appointment, you discuss your treatment goals and budget to determine what types of veneer material are best for you. Your dentist will take x-rays, photographs, and dental molds to determine how many veneers you need.

Tooth Preparation

During this appointment, your dentist scrapes off a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers, followed by the placement of temporary veneers to wear during the fabrication of your permanent ones.

Veneer Placement

Before bonding the new veneers, our dentist checks that the color and shape are the best possible match to your natural teeth. Next, the dentist applies a bonding solution to your existing teeth and carefully places the veneers on top of the solution. A dental UV lamp accelerates the curing time of the bonding cement. Once completed, you are free to walk out of the dental practice and show the world your new smile!

Tucson Family Dentistry Can Help

If you are still wondering, “should I get veneers?” call to set up a consultation with one of our dentists at (520) 327-5993. You can also read on to discover why your teeth are bad even if you brush.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Written by drdalesandro on March 10, 2020. Posted in Dental Veneers, Cosmetic.

What are the benefits of getting veneers?

Veneers are an artificial cover that is attached to the front of your tooth to correct any abnormalities and leave you with a beautiful smile. Veneers are an excellent solution to anyone dealing with chipped teeth, a gap between their teeth, extreme discoloration that cannot be fixed with whitening, unusually small or pointed teeth and more.

What are veneers made of?

Veneers are usually made of porcelain or resin composite materials. When you’re ready to meet with your dentist and get your custom made veneers, you’ll want to know the benefits of the porcelain veneers versus resin veneers so you can make the best selection for your lifestyle.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Removes less enamel than cap and crowns
Natural-looking color and texture
Stain-resistant
Long-lasting
Thin Shell
Custom-fit
Strong

Benefits of Resin Veneers

Removes less enamel than caps, crowns, and porcelain veneers
A simple procedure that sometimes only required one visit
Less expensive than porcelain veneers
Easily repaired if damaged or broken
Custom-fit

What is the cost of veneers?

The cost of veneers varies greatly depending on the dentist that is providing them and what type of veneers you select. Veneers are not usually covered by insurance because they are a cosmetic procedure designed to cover up chipped teeth, gaps between your front teeth, and misshapen teeth. Traditional veneers can cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per tooth and last around 10 to 15 years.

What to expect when you get your veneers

The first step to getting your veneers includes a consultation with your dentist to figure out what issues you are experiencing with your teeth and what you would like your veneers to look like. With this information, your dentist can give you more information about the type of veneers that will best meet your needs.

Next, your dentist will take an impression or mold of your teeth so your custom-designed veneers will fit your teeth perfectly! The porcelain or resin veneers are made right on the mold of your teeth. Most dentists will even offer a wax-up model of your teeth so you can see what your results will look like before the treatment starts.

Some dentists will provide you with a temporary veneer to try out beforehand to make sure you like them and they fit properly before attaching the permanent veneers to your teeth.

When your veneers have been perfected, you will have an appointment with your dentist to have the veneers bonded to your teeth. At this appointment, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth before attaching the veneers. The bonding process is extremely secure and veneers cannot be removed after they are attached. They are attached to your teeth by applying a mild acidic solution to both your teeth and the veneers, creating a porous surface that can be bonded together with a translucent cement. At this time it is important to speak, smile and move your mouth around to make sure your veneers feel right in your mouth. Your dentist can make a few minor adjustments at this time.

How to protect your veneers

Although veneers are designed to be strong and give you a smile you can be proud of, it’s still important to take certain steps to protect your new veneers. After you get your veneers, our dentists suggest you protect them by:

Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports or other dangerous activities
Never using your veneers to rip open packaging or condiment packages
Not chewing on hard objects like your fingernails, pens, and ice
Using a retainer (custom-made nightguard) if you grind or clench your teeth at night
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily!

What type of dentist does veneers in Tucson?

You can get veneers from many different dentists all over Tucson. If you’re ready to be more confident in your smile with custom-fit veneers, call the office of Dr. Adam Dalesandro and Dr. Jeffrey Derickson for an appointment. From preventive dental care to new veneers, you can always count on getting the treatment you need at our dental office. Call us today at (520) 327-5993 for more information.