Various treatments are available to patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth. If your teeth are discolored or damaged, speak with a cosmetic dentist about your options.

They may recommend dental veneers. The following basic overview will help you better understand whether this treatment is worth proceeding with.

What Are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is typically a small porcelain shell that resembles the front of a healthy tooth. A cosmetic dentist may bond a veneer to the front of a patient’s tooth to address such issues as: 

• Significant discoloration that teeth whitening may not be sufficient to correct
• Cracks
• Misshapen teeth
• Minor dental misalignments that don’t require orthodontic treatment

Other Types of Dental Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers are the most common. However, other options are available. They include:

• Composite veneers, which are more affordable than porcelain veneers, but also less durable and more likely to stain
• Instant veneers, which dentists typically don’t recommend, as they aren’t customized to match the shape, color, and general appearance of a patient’s other teeth

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Porcelain dental veneers offer a range of benefits to patients, including:

• Restoring a smile relatively easily
• Longevity, as a porcelain dental veneer could stay in good condition for a decade or longer with proper care
• Fairly simple maintenance needs

Are Dental Veneers Worth Your Time and Money?

The cost of dental veneers can vary from one patient to another. Factors that can influence how much a patient might spend on dental veneers include:

• The type of veneers they receive
• How many teeth require veneers
• Whether a patient’s insurance covers veneers

That said, when compared to other common cosmetic dentistry and smile restoration treatments, the cost of veneers is in the mid-range. More complex treatment options such as dental implants cost more than veneers. However, a simpler treatment, such as teeth whitening, may cost less.

Just remember that the more affordable treatment option isn't always the better one. Sometimes, teeth whitening treatment can’t yield the same results that veneers can deliver. Additionally, if your teeth are cracked or misshapen, correcting them with a veneer may be the most cost-effective option.

The other option may involve extracting the affected teeth and replacing them with dental implants. Doing so is costlier than concealing damaged or misshapen teeth with a veneer.

The process of receiving veneers also isn’t very time-consuming. Usually, it involves the following steps:

• Initial consultation and evaluation to determine if a patient is a good candidate for veneers
• If necessary, completing any dental work that must be performed before a patient can receive veneers, such as filling in cavities
• Removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the tooth receiving the veneer
• Bonding the veneer with the tooth

The exact length of treatment may vary somewhat from one patient to another. Often, though, patients can complete treatment in as few as two or three appointments.

Speak With a Cosmetic Dentist About Dental Veneers

The best way to learn whether dental veneers are right for you (and whether they’re worth investing in) is to discuss the topic in greater detail with a professional. A dentist can evaluate your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for this treatment option. If they do recommend veneers, the dentist can also answer your questions, explaining why the benefits of this treatment are worth the cost.

Learn More About Dental Veneers in Dunedin, FL

At Dunedin Dental Associates, our team is on hand to discuss dental veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatment options with you. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at 727-734-3321 to request an appointment.

A veneer is a wafer-thin, custom-made shell of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance while also providing strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. They are customized to the shape of your teeth and are bonded to the tooth’s original enamel during in-office procedures. Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the difference between those two.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Veneers can be a less intrusive option than crowns or braces. Veneers can be used to close gaps or correct small misalignments. Patients also choose veneers as a cosmetic solution to enhance the brightness of their teeth and to straighten their smile, correcting issues like discoloration, fractures, or chips.

What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

The most commonly used materials for veneers are the conventional porcelain veneer and composite resin veneer. Porcelain veneers are preferable for correcting issues of shape or color and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. 

While veneers are a longer-term solution, it is important to know that like most dental work, they will need to be replaced eventually. Good homecare and routine hygiene appointments will significantly extend the life of your dental work. 

Composite veneers on average are around half the price of porcelain veneers. Composites can typically be fabricated while you wait, making it a same-day treatment. They are actually shaped and sculpted on your teeth rather than in an offsite lab. Composite veneers also have the factor of reversibility. Porcelain requires reshaping of your natural teeth in order to fit the veneer. When it comes to composites, minimal prep work is required on your natural teeth, meaning that they are not permanently altered to such an extent that the composite material cannot be removed and replaced as needed.

Are Dental Veneers Right for You?

Veneers are a quick way to a beautiful smile, and this treatment is perfect for people with teeth that are stained, chipped, or have gaps. But veneers are largely a permanent treatment and having them placed is a big decision. Before you and your dentist decide the procedure is right for you, it’s important to have the right information about veneers, their cost and how best to care for them.

Care for Veneers

You should brush and floss just as you would your regular teeth. Proper daily brushing, and use of non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. Consider limiting coffee and other stain-inducing foods. Keep in mind that veneers will need to be replaced at some point, no matter how well you take care of them. But proper oral hygiene will help them last as long as possible. If you’re deciding on veneers, consult with your dentist and be sure you understand every part of the process and cost. A beautiful smile feels great and can increase both your confidence and well-being.

Dental Veneers in Dunedin

Whether you're looking to repair chipped or broken teeth, mask discoloration, or just enhance your smile, dental veneers may be the perfect solution for you.At Dunedin Dental Associates, we’re dedicated to creating natural looking veneers that match your unique features and facial proportions. Contact us today at 727-734-3321 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Dental veneers can be the solution you’re looking for if you have teeth that are stained or chipped, show gaps or are misaligned. Veneers create extremely attractive results for a smile you’ll be happy to share. 

Are they permanent? They are extremely long lasting if you take good care of your teeth with simple and routine dental hygiene. Let’s take a closer look at veneers and how they can make your smile its best.

All About Veneers 

There are different types of Dental veneers:

• Porcelain Veneers
• Composite Veneers

Here’s the difference between them. Porcelain veneers last the longest, and offer the utmost natural-looking attractiveness. Crafted in a laboratory, they imitate the way your natural teeth enamel looks, and their custom look utilizes many thin porcelain layers.

Composite veneers are created from composite resin, and cost less than porcelain veneers. They may be made right in your dentist’s office, or created in a lab. While they are custom-made, just like porcelain veneers, the resin material is not as long lasting porcelain, and can be more prone to staining over time.

How Veneers are Made and Applied

Your veneers will be created in a series of simple steps. First, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to model the veneer; next, a color guide will be consulted to find the color that best suits your natural teeth. Then, the dental veneers are custom-created, and once completed, will be cemented onto your teeth by your skilled dentist at Dunedin Dental.

Veneers can’t be removed once applied; but they’re easy for your dentist to replace when worn out. 

The Best Uses for Veneers 

Why choose veneers? They make an excellent way to correct everything from discolored and chipped teeth to uneven tooth length, cover gaps, or correct the look of teeth that are a bit crooked, miss-sized or misshapen. They work by covering the tooth’s front surface area and then wrapping around the sides of the tooth as well as the bite edge.

Durability of Veneers

So, how long lasting are veneers? Usually, veneers have a durable lifespan of up to 15 years. Precisely how long they last depends on both the type of veneer that you select - porcelain lasts the longest with good dental care. Remember, good dental care extends the life of veneers and protects your own teeth. It’s all routine: brush and floss twice each day and make those six month dental exams and cleaning appointments at your dentist’s office. There are some things you should avoid, too, such as high sugar candies and beverages, chewing on your nails or ice, and using your teeth as tools to open the mail. Of course, avoiding these things is a great way to keep your natural teeth their best, too, preventing chips and decay.

Learn More About Veneers

If you’re ready to learn about veneers, at Dunedin Dental, we can help you find out all the facts. And, if you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact us today. We love to make you smile.

If you’re seeking a solution to stained, chipped, gapped teeth, or misaligned teeth, veneers are a great option. Maybe you already know how attractive and easy to apply veneers are, but you may still have one question -  how long do veneers last? 

While they are not considered permanent, veneers often last a long time if you practice simple, good oral hygiene. And they’re a terrific way to make your smile look its best. 

What Exactly is a Veneer?

Dental veneers are made from thin, stain-resistant porcelain or composite dental resin. Whichever material you choose for your teeth, veneers are cemented onto the front surface of teeth, improving the way your teeth look cosmetically as well as helping your teeth restoratively. 

As a first step, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth, used to create a model for the veneer. Second, your skilled dental team will examine a tooth color guide, choosing the most natural match for your veneers and your teeth. The veneers, created in a dental lab, will be cemented onto your teeth, using a thin but strong bonding material.

So, How Long Veneers Can Last?

Veneers typically last between 10 to 15 years. But exactly how long they last depends on both the type of veneer you choose and your own oral care. Both can assist with extending the life of your veneers. 

Veneers are not permanent. But they do offer a long term benefit which can greatly enhance both your appearance and your overall dental health.

Regular Dental Care Extends Veneer Life

The best way to extend the life of your veneers is to care for them just as you do your natural teeth. That means brushing and flossing twice daily, carefully brushing for two minutes to make sure you are being thorough. And it also means scheduling those regular hygiene appointments with your dental team for those important regular check-ups and routine cleaning.

Maintaining Good Oral Health

Maintaining good oral health also means you should avoid some things such as foods that can be hard on your teeth, including high-sugar foods like sodas or hard candy. A few other things to avoid would be chewing on ice or your fingernails, or using teeth to open envelopes or a package. 

One other thing to remember: porcelain veneers are quite stain-resistant, but composite veneers react just like your natural teeth to substances. What does this mean? It means they can be stained from various foods and beverages consumed. So it’s a good idea to limit the consumption of staining beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as limiting the amount of some berries you eat. 

One more important tool in order to preserve veneer life: avoid teeth grinding. If that’s a habit, your dentist can fit a comfortable mouthguard to avoid grinding and prevent the creation of  cracks or chips - as well as preventing the potential pain of TMJ that these can cause. 

Are You Ready to Learn More About Applying Veneers?

If you’re considering full mouth veneers or just a single veneer, we’re ready to help. Our dental team is experienced in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including veneers.

So, if you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment, reach out to us today, and let us help you make your smile look its best!