There are some situation where people will have stains too severe for simple teeth whitening procedures. If this is the case, there is the option of having a dental veneer procedure which can be quite effective. Then you can have that smile you always dreamed about. Let’s take a look.
What is a dental veneer?
A dental veneer (also known as porcelain veneer) is essentially a piece of porcelain cut very fine which is meant to be placed as a shell over the front part of your teeth. Veneers are strictly meant for cosmetic purposes so they are generally only used on the teeth that are visible when you smile or talk. Dental veneers are custom tailored to each tooth and are placed on each individual tooth separately.
How does the procedure work?
There are three major stages to a dental veneer procedure. The first stage involves your dentist removing any excess plaque or enamel from your teeth that are being treated. Depending on how much enamel is present you might be given an anesthetic for the pain. The second stage is when your dentist will make a mold of your teeth which will be used to custom design your dental veneers. Usually your dentist will not be the one making the actual veneers, but your teeth mold will be sent to a nearby lab for production. This process generally takes around 2-4 weeks. In the third stage, once your dentist receives the veneers back from the lab, he or she will temporarily place the veneers on each tooth to make sure the color and size of each veneer is accurate. Once the final adjustments are made (if any) the veneer will then be bonded with cement on each tooth. This is a similar process to having braces installed.
What happens after the procedure?
After completion, it’s possible that you will need to come back to your dentist a few times to make sure the veneers are acting properly in accordance to any surrounding gums or teeth. The good thing about veneers is that they require virtually no attention or upkeep. Veneers are resistant to stains but things like tobacco, wine or coffee which are known to stain teeth can also stain dental veneers if used in excess.
How much will a dental veneer procedure cost?
Like any dental procedure, the cost will depend on the severity or nature of the condition. Your dentist should be able to provide an accurate estimate of the cost before you give the green light. In general, dental veneers are quite costly- usually being around a few hundred dollars per tooth. It is also important to note that since dental veneers are for cosmetic purposes, dental insurance plans will almost never cover the expense. It all depends on how much you want that perfect smile!
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