Veneers--- what is all the hype about??? Porcelain veneers are one of the most common elective dental procedure performed and for good reason. They can quickly and dramatically improve the design of your smile.
What are they?? Veneers are thin laminates of porcelain hand-crafted by a ceramist to fit your teeth.
What Aren’t they?? Veneers are not a replacement for traditional braces. We do have the ability to correct minor rotations or bring teeth in or out with veneers or all-porcelain crowns, but ultimately veneers can only do so much. Your Sandalwood dentist will help you decide whether braces or veneers or perhaps a combination of both is the best option for your smile.
What is the procedure like?? Initially we will take impressions of your teeth to help plan the size, shape and shade of your veneers. Often we will utilize a diagnostic wax-up which simulates what your veneers will look like on a stone model of your teeth. We will then prepare your teeth for the veneers by reducing each to varying degrees based upon each tooth’s location relative to the next. In general, to prepare the tooth for the veneer we will remove one half of a millimeter of enamel. This is a small amount and it is common not to be able to tell that much was actually done to the tooth. We will then take an impression, select a shade and fabricate temporary veneers for you.
I have seen teeth cut down to little pegs; what is going on there?? As mentioned before, veneer preparation involves removing half of a millimeter from the front and sometimes the edge of the tooth. This should not be confused with all-porcelain crowns which require removal of much more tooth structure from all sides of the teeth. This method is utilized when the teeth are severely broken down or have large fillings that are failing. All-porcelain crowns are restorative as well as esthetic whereas veneers are generally esthetic.
Are veneers covered by my insurance?? In some cases where teeth are badly worn down or cracked, or if decay is present, your insurance company may contribute to your veneers.
What is the difference between veneers and “bonding”? Bonding refers to composite (tooth colored filling material) used to alter the shape and size of your teeth. Bonding is an excellent tool and can achieve wonderful results in cases where small cavities or chips are present. It can be used as well in some cases to close spaces between teeth if the space is small. The downside to bonding is that it normally needs to be replaced every 5-7 years and the bonding may fail if you eat the wrong foods. It is also much harder to match the bonding to your natural tooth structure. Veneers on the other hand can last up to twenty years and do not stain like bonding. Bonding is much less expensive than veneers but is often a compromise.
What kind of problems can be corrected with veneers?? Veneers can fix cracks, chips, spaces, rough edges, staining, as well as improve the alignment of teeth that have slightly shifted after braces.
If you think that you might be interested in veneers, please contact Sandalwood at 281-758-1555 for your consultation.