Hi, this is Dr. Emma. Today I'm going to be talking a little bit about veneers based on the most common questions that I have from patients. Dental veneers are basically a thin shell that goes on the surface of your tooth and mimics the structure of your tooth. It's for enhancing the aesthetics and sometimes even for the functionality of your teeth.
What problems can be solved with dental veneers?
Dental veneers can come into play in so many different situations. For example, a person might have a very small fracture in the tooth that can be fixed by a veneer, or they might have teeth that are misoriented and not well aligned. Or they may only want to enhance the anatomy or the shade of the tooth to make their smile a little bit brighter and whiter. There are many scenarios where veneers are used. The reason we choose veneers over other aesthetic procedures is that they're very conservative, very aesthetic, and can dramatically enhance your smile.
Are veneers permanent or removable?
Veneers are permanent, but it doesn't mean that they're going to last forever in your mouth. I always tell my patients, if you have the ability to break your tooth, you have the ability to break the veneer as well. However, if good care is maintained and you come for your regular hygiene visits, they are going to last. Over time, as we age, we sometimes get some recession and discoloration, but we can always replace those veneers with newer ones and correct any problems that arise during the time you have them.
Will veneers match the color of my teeth?
This really depends on a case-by-case situation. Some patients only want to change the shape of their teeth and want to keep the shade of their teeth as it was before. So, we do everything we can to match the shape they're asking for. If the patient requires changing the color of their teeth, such as going a couple of shades brighter, we can definitely do that as well. We take a lot of pictures and have a lot of before and after simulations of your smile to show you what you can expect the procedure to look like in the end.
How long do veneers last?
We have two types of veneers. One type is the one we do chair-side, where we have you come into the office, do some bonding, and make the veneers in the office. The other type is the veneer that we have made in labs outside of your mouth. There's different maintenance for these two. The chair-side veneers need more maintenance and more regular visits to the dental office. You need to come into the office at least once a year and every other year, depending on your oral hygiene, to polish them and fix any problems. For the porcelain veneers, as long as the oral hygiene is good and you attend your six-month visits, there's not much maintenance needed. However, we always recommend patients have a night guard for more longevity of the veneers.
Do dental veneers require special care?
Yes, dental veneers do require special care. Veneers are very thin shells made of different materials, and based on the material used, they have different strengths. For the most part, you should avoid biting on anything super crunchy and try to avoid anything that could break the veneers, specifically in the front. But in general, as long as you are mindful of your food and avoid chewing on anything hard, they should last you for a good 10 to 15 years.
When should I schedule an appointment to get veneers?
If you're not happy with your smile or there's something about your teeth that is bothering you—whether it's the shape of the tooth, the arch of your smile, how much teeth you're showing, or the color of your teeth—or in general, if you feel like your teeth are not the way you want them to be, definitely schedule an appointment. We can go over the consultation appointment and explain to you what you can expect, how the procedure steps are going to look, and what the final result is going to look like.
Do most insurance cover the cost of veneers?
To get an answer to that question, you can give us a call at our office at Yalda Dental at (215) 240-4088, and the office staff will give you all the detailed answers you need.
You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth. With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth’s imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile. Veneers are natural in appearance and are a perfect option for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look and feel of their smile.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored materials such as porcelain. They are designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, your doctor will create a unique model of your teeth. This model is sent to a dental technician who creates your veneers. Before placing your new veneer, your doctor may need to conservatively prepare your tooth to achieve the desired aesthetic result.
When your veneers are placed, you’ll be pleased to see that they look like your natural teeth. While veneers are stain-resistant, your doctor may recommend that you avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile.