Things to Know Before Getting Dental Veneers

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-coloured shells attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They’re often made from porcelain or resin composite materials and bonded to your teeth.

Veneers can be used to treat a number of different cosmetic concerns, including chipped, broken, discoloured, or smaller-than-average teeth.

Some people may only get one veneer in the case of a broken or chipped tooth, but many get between six to eight veneers in order to create an even, symmetrical smile. The top front eight teeth are the most commonly applied veneers.

Don’t hide your smile because of gaps between your teeth or conceal teeth that are chipped. Opt for dental veneers.

Porcelain veneers are custom-made shells of porcelain designed to fit over the front of your teeth. You can literally get a brand-new smile in only 1-2 visits to our Issaquah dental practice.

If you need to restore chipped teeth, fill spaces or gaps in your teeth or simply want to mask discolouration of your teeth, porcelain veneers are a great option.

Dental Veneers are a great option for:

Stained or discolored teeth as a result of
- Coffee
- Tobacco
- Food
- Beverages
Worn-down teeth
Decayed teeth
Slightly crooked teeth
Teeth damaged due to injury or a root canal procedure

What are the different types of veneers?

Dental veneers are most commonly made out of porcelain. Applying traditional dental veneers requires more intensive prep work compared to alternatives that are sometimes called “no-prep veneers.” These no-prep veneers — which include options like Lumineers and Vivaneeres — take less time and are less invasive to apply.

Applying traditional dental veneers typically involves grinding down the tooth structure, sometimes removing some of the tooth even past the enamel. This allows for proper placement, but it’s also an irreversible procedure that can be painful to go through and often requires a local anesthetic.

No-prep veneers, on the other hand, may require some tooth preparation or alteration, but these alterations are minimal. Instead of removing layers of tooth under the enamel, no-prep veneers only affect the enamel. In many cases, no-prep veneers don’t require local anesthetics.

Veneers aren’t the same as tooth implants or crowns. Veneers cover the front surface of the tooth. Implants, on the other hand, replace the entire tooth. Crowns also encase the entire tooth, while veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth (which is visible with a smile).

What are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers have become a popular dental treatment for people seeking picture-perfect teeth because they:

Look and feel like natural teeth
Are durable
Are stain resistant
Cover up misaligned or chipped teeth
Are a quick dental treatment
Are a long-term cosmetic solution
Achieve a beautiful, healthy smile

While braces and other teeth straightening options like Invisalign straighten teeth, they do not whiten or change the shape of teeth. Porcelain veneers have an advantage as they help with both.

How Do I Know if Veneers Are Right for Me?

Deciding that porcelain veneers will create the look you want is only one step in the process. There is much more to learn before proceeding further. This is why we recommend that you schedule a consultation yo find out if porcelain veneers are the best option for you to create the beautiful smile you want.

How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The cost of porcelain veneers can depend on a variety of factors. Treatment needs vary due to individual needs which is one of the reasons the cost varies. Another reason is that there are practices which will offer veneers at extremely discounted prices but be careful as you get what you pay for. The cheaper alternatives can cause major problems which is why it is important to do your research and choose a reputable Eternal Smiles dentist.