When it comes down to first impressions, your smile is undoubtedly your most important attribute, so making the decision to invest in it might be worth it. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry did a recent survey showing that 48% of Americans believe their smile is their most important feature. So, if you aren’t confident in your smile, or if you feel that your smile may be less than perfect, you may not be making the right first impression.
In our opinion, one of the best ways to repair cracked, stained, and damaged teeth is to have cosmetic veneers placed by one of our experienced dentists. But, before getting veneers and making that commitment, its still very important to do your due diligence by doing your research and becoming familiar with the entire process.
Hendersonville Family Dental has taken the time to provide you with everything you need to know before getting veneers.
So, what exactly are veneers?
If you are trying to keep your natural set of teeth, but you are needing help with the physical aspect and aesthetic of your teeth, then getting veneers might be your best option. People that are considered good candidates usually have considerable discoloration, transparency, chipped or cracked teeth, and people that have large gaps in their smile.
When it comes down to explaining what veneers are, they are most easily described as very thin, custom-made shells made of porcelain that are then glued to the front of your teeth. Veneers are applied to your teeth a lot like press-on nails, and they can last for 10-30 years, especially if you can properly care for them.
Another great thing about veneers is that they can be tinted to your perfect shade of white, or whatever shade is meticulously chosen by your dentist. Thankfully, due to some recent technological advancements, we are able to create veneers with the same translucency of your real teeth. So, even if you happen to choose a more bright-white shade for your veneers, your smile can still appear natural!
What can I expect when getting veneers?
Just be aware that when you decide to get veneers, you won’t have an instant result. Getting veneers will consist of multiple procedures spread across a few weeks, consisting of at least 3-4 dental office visits.
Your first appointment, unless you are due for a cleaning, will be a consultation with one of our experienced dentists. At this appointment, he will evaluate your teeth and your smile, and then he will be able to decide if you are a candidate for veneers. If he believes you are a good candidate for veneers, he will then discuss your Treatment Plan with you and what your next steps will be. It’s also important to note that if you need a cleaning, a filling or implants, those will have to be done first.
After all cleaning and repair work is completed, you’ll come in to have your teeth “prepped”. Your dentist will prep your teeth by shaving off a very thin layer of your tooth enamel, which is actually thinner than the thickness of your own fingernail. They will then take an impression of your newly prepped teeth, which we will use to create your temporary veneers and you will keep those on until your permanent veneers are ready. While you have on your temporaries, you then have plenty of time to decide if you need to make any changes to the size, shape or color.
After your veneers have been meticulously created in our lab, you will then come back to our dental office to have them placed, or adhered to your teeth. At this point, we will remove your temporaries and we will apply a type of bond/glue to your teeth. Then, your permanent veneers will be very carefully, and strategically, placed by your dentist and you will now be ready to go with your brand new, bright-white smile!
How do I care for my veneers?
After having the veneers placed, your mouth and gums will probably be sore and uncomfortable and you might even experience a bit of sensitivity from the bond/glue. Although this may be worrisome, the discomfort you may feel is normal, and it will dissipate as soon as your mouth heals. If your discomfort is too bothersome, you can take ibuprofen and acetaminophen for the pain.
It’s very important that you remember to treat your new veneers just like you would your natural teeth. Just make sure you continue to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day, and try not to chew on anything that could break, chip or crack your teeth (ice chewers, we are talking to you). The better you can take care of your veneers, the longer they will last.
So, as long as you take care of your veneers and keep good oral hygiene, they have potential to last 20 years, and sometimes even longer! But keep in mind that due to normal wear and tear, you’ll probably want to get a new set after that timeframe. But, if one happens to become damaged before then, know that you can have us replace it individually.
Having veneers is an investment!
One of the more important things to consider before you decide to get veneers is the actual cost. Not all, but most insurance companies will only cover a small portion of veneers, if anything at all. So, just make sure to call your insurance and then discuss all possible financial options with your dentist if you’re at all concerned about your finances.
One benefit of getting veneers, when it comes down to finances, is that you don’t have to get them on all of your teeth! Let’s say you only have one or two teeth that you’d like to change…you can have your dentist make you just a few veneers that will color-match to your other teeth. Surprisingly, there are a lot of patients that decide to only have veneers placed on their front teeth because they are really the only ones noticeable when you smile.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for veneers.
Even though veneers are a minimally invasive procedure, there can still be some things that can exclude you from being a candidate. Below are some reasons that you’d be excluded:
- Excessive jaw clenching or grinding your teeth
- Moderate to severe tooth damage
- Crossbite/underbite
- Periodontal Disease
- Crowded teeth
- Poor oral hygiene or excessive decay
If you happen to see any of your conditions above, be sure to talk to your dentist to see if getting veneers is a good choice for your specific situation. There are a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to fixing, or improving, your smile. So don’t give up hope!
Most importantly, make sure you see an EXPERIENCED dentist!
Cosmetic dentistry can be very complex and intricate, so it’s very important to know who is going to be completing your dental work. Please note that not all dental offices offer cosmetic dentistry, so you might have to do your research to find one that does, and find one that is reputable and experienced. Luckily, all of our dentists here at HFD specialize in cosmetic dentistry!
Make sure to ask your dentist to look at some of their before & after photos to see if you even like their work before you even make the final decision to go with them. Different dentists have different styles, so do your research to see if you like the type of cosmetic work they do.
Another surefire way for you to know that you are seeing an experienced and quality dentist is to read their office reviews and testimonies. Be sure to ask around, and talk to your friends and family to see if they have any good recommendations. Word of mouth referrals are one of the best ways to find a quality dentist in your area!
Want to know more about getting veneers?
If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, or if you just want a more aesthetically pleasing smile, veneers may be an option for you. Veneers are non-invasive and simple way to give you a brand-new smile in as little as 2 weeks!
Hendersonville Family Dental’s friendly and experienced team has been providing high-quality dental care to WNC and the Upstate since 2011. Here at HFD, we provide a wide range of preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental services so you can finally have the smile you’ve always dreamed of. So, if you’re seriously considering getting veneers, or if have any other questions regarding our dental services that we offer, contact us today at (828) 222-7878 for a free consultation.