Most of us want a brilliant, sparkling smile. Porcelain veneers can help you achieve that. Whether you’re suffering from tooth discolouration, cracks or chips, porcelain veneers can help restore your teeth and help you smile with confidence. If you’re considering porcelain veneers in Langley, it’s important to understand the benefits, drawbacks, costs and care.
When you want to improve the appearance of your teeth, porcelain veneers (also known as laminates) are an ideal option. A porcelain veneer is a thinshell that’s bonded to your teeth. These tooth-coloured shells can be made from laminate or a resin composite material, and they can be applied to one or more teeth at a time.
Although they can be applied to any tooth, porcelain veneers are most commonly applied to the front four, six or eight teeth. Unlike implants and crowns, porcelain veneers only cover the front surface of the tooth. Therefore, they cannot replace a missing tooth like a bridge can.
Like any other dental procedure, teeth porcelain veneers have benefits and drawbacks that you need to consider.
Porcelain veneers offer many advantages, such as:
Porcelain veneers can greatly improve the look of your smile can be used to treat:
Dental veneers can last more than a decade. So, they’re an excellent solution for patients wanting to improve the look of their smiles versus using just filling material which may last only 2-3 years.
Compared to other dental procedures, veneers are quick to place and have a short recovery period.
While there are many advantages to veneers, there are also some disadvantages that you have to consider, such as:
If you choose traditional veneers, the preparation process is irreversible. You will need to continue replacing your veneers as necessary.
Veneers are generally considered a cosmetic procedure and are usually not covered by dental insurance. While costs can vary depending on your individual circumstances, but you can expect to spend the following on your veneers with our dentist Langley:
When you come into our Langley dental office for your appointment, we will discuss your options and explain how the procedure will work. The process will depend on the type of veneers. The procedure for placing traditional veneers is very different from the placement of no-prep veneers. Here’s what to expect:
The first step is to come into our dental office for a preliminary appointment. During your visit, we will review your options and how many veneers will be placed.
We may also take X-rays to get a better picture of your oral dental health. The X-rays will help us find signs of gum disease, root canals, tooth decay, abscesses, extraction concerns or other dental issues that may need to be corrected. We may not recommend veneers if you have any of these conditions.
If your teeth aren’t properly aligned (e.g., uneven or crooked), we may recommend that you wear Invisalign or dental braces before we place the veneers.
If you have a gummy smile we may discuss using Botox to limit gingival gum display.
When you come in for your next dental appointment, we will prepare your teeth and take an impression of your teeth. Then, the mold will be sent to a lab.
It can take a few weeks for the dental restorations to come back from the lab. Once they arrive at our office, we will schedule an appointment to place them.
In most cases, it takes no more than two hours to place the veneers. Once the cement has hardened, you will be ready to leave our office with your new smile.
The great thing about the final placement appointment is that the recovery period is quick. Once the cement has hardened and the anesthetic wears off, you can eat and chew as normal.
The anesthetic will take a little time to wear off. As it does, make sure that you don’t chew your tongue or cheek if you do decide to eat. For the first day or two, you may notice that the surface of your tooth is a little rough in some areas. In most cases, these rough spots are just left over dental cement from the procedure, and they should smooth out in a few days. However, if they don’t, give us a call to make an appointment to smooth them out.
Your new teeth should be cared for just like your natural teeth, so make sure that you’re brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day and returning for regular exams and cleanings. Here are some other tips to extend the life of your dental veneer:
Many patients use the terms veneers and dental crowns interchangeably. While similar in some ways, crowns and veneers are two different dental solutions.
Crowns (with the exception of all-metal crowns) and veneers are both made to match the colour of your natural teeth.
Our staff will review the information with you and help determine the right choice for your smile. However, there are still some factors that you should consider.
We previously discussed the pros and cons of veneers, but what about crowns? Like laminates, they have advantages and disadvantages.
Although crowns are a more practical solution in some cases, laminates do have advantages. If you want a brilliant, symmetrical smile, veneers are a great option. But if our dentist finds that you are not a good candidate for the procedure, we will find a solution that meets your dental smile needs.
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