We have likely all met people who work hard to conceal their smiles when they speak or laugh in public. Patients are willing to go to a lot of trouble to avoid revealing a less-than-flawless smile, including looking down, turning their head, covering their mouths, and mastering the art of keeping their lips over their teeth. We’ve seen it all before. If you’ve been concealing a smile you’re unhappy with, let the DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton team help you. Our skilled Carrollton cosmetic dentist and friendly dental team offer a wide range of cosmetic services that will make the most flawed teeth into fabulous smiles. Veneers in Carrollton are simple solutions that are effective for many patients. Keep reading to learn more about this natural looking, smile transforming cosmetic dentistry treatment.
The Veneers Process
Porcelain veneers are sheaths of durable, tooth-colored material placed over the front facing surfaces of teeth. We can use veneers to reshape teeth, close gaps between teeth, or conceal cosmetic flaws. The top, bottom, or both rows of teeth visible within the smile line can be included in a porcelain veneers treatment plan.
The process is completed over the course of two appointments. During the initial office visit, we need to remove a small amount of tooth structure from the surface of teeth. This allows the veneer to lay flat and doesn’t change the natural shape of the smile line. Next, bite impressions are captured. These impressions will be used to design and craft your custom cosmetic restoration. Finally, we place temporary veneers. This allows you to adjust to the look and feel of your transformed smile and protects the prepared teeth.
When we receive your custom veneers from our dental lab, you’ll return to the office for your second appointment. The dentist removes your temporary and exchanges it for a flawless, high quality porcelain veneers. If you’re happy with the results, your treatment is complete. If not, let the dentist know right away. We can make adjustments and help you achieve the desired result. Once in place, your custom veneer will last for years with proper care. Great news for those patients who enjoy wine, coffee, berries, and other staining foods and drinks, porcelain veneers may be ideal since they are stain resistant!
The Purpose of Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are an extremely versatile cosmetic dentistry service. We can use them to correct or conceal numerous smile irregularities and create a flawless, natural appearance. Some of the reasons patients seek porcelain veneer treatments include:
Numerous chips, stains, or gaps
Unevenly spaced or slightly crooked and overlapping teeth
Deep set stains that do not respond to teeth whitening
An uneven smile line (teeth that are differing lengths)
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
There are so many factors that can contribute to the cost of your veneers, such as where in your mouth they’re being placed and the number of veneers you receive. With that said, you truly get what you pay for when it comes to veneers (like most things in life). While they can be a great investment when you want a Hollywood smile, you should make sure they are the right cosmetic treatment for you ahead of time!
Cost vs. Cosmetic Services: Which is Best for You?
It’s nearly impossible to determine the specific price of your veneers treatment without first attending a consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Carrollton. In addition, there may be other cosmetic treatments that could better address your needs at a different cost, so consider them below to help you get a better idea of what may be discussed during your consultation.
Teeth Whitening – Most teeth whitening treatments can be done in a single appointment, while others can be done at home on your own time. However, they only focus on the shade of your existing tooth and don’t influence the shape.
Invisalign – You can remove gaps from in between teeth and even make your smile and bite more even. With that said, they could be more expensive than veneers and take several months to affect teeth. On top of that, your tooth’s shape remains unchanged.
Dental Bonding – This option is considerably more affordable and can work to actually reshape and touch up your tooth if it’s jagged, chipped, or cracked. However, the material is less durable then ceramic and will require touch-ups at our office every few years.
Veneers – It’s true that veneers can be costly upfront, but they are the most effective (and quickest) way to transform your smile substantially. When you need (or want) a brand-new smile in just a couple weeks, they are the best option out there!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
At DD Family Dentistry, we want you to be able to achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of having, which is why we offer several different options to make your veneers in Carrollton more affordable. Because your veneers won’t be covered by your dental insurance since they’re a cosmetic treatment, we offer two additional ways to save and flexibly plan payments, including CareCredit additional financing and our in-house membership plan. To learn more, we invite you to visit our new patient page or call us today!
Veneers FAQs
One of the best things about veneers in Carrollton is their versatility. They can be used to correct virtually any aesthetic flaw that you could have in your teeth. At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we want our patients to feel confident in whatever treatment they decide to pursue. For this reason, we’ve taken the time to answer a few of the most commonly asked questions about veneers that we get here at our practice.
Am I a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Before we can place veneers, Dr. Durga will have to thoroughly evaluate your teeth to determine your eligibility for veneers. If you have any underlying oral health problems, like cavities or gum disease, those issues will have to be addressed beforehand. If you suffer from bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding or clenching), we may prescribe a custom-made nightguard for you to wear to bed so that you don’t chip or crack your veneers.
Will My Veneers Look Natural?
There’s a reason why veneers are usually made of dental porcelain. Not only is this material highly durable, but it can be custom shaded to resemble the enamel of your surrounding natural teeth. Better yet, it even reflects light in the exact same manner as tooth enamel.
When designing your veneers, we take many aspects of your appearance into account, including your skin tone and facial shape. This ensures your veneers blend in perfectly with the rest of your smile. No one should be able to tell you even got dental work done!
How Long Do Veneers Last?
In many cases, veneers can last 10 to 15 years before they have to be replaced. However, you can extend their lifespan a few years beyond that by taking good care of your oral health. Brushing twice a day, flossing every evening, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can keep your smile clean and infection-free. Make sure to also attend a dental checkup and cleaning every six months to ensure your veneers are still in great condition.
Are veneers permanent?
Unfortunately, veneers in Carrollton aren’t considered permanent or reversible, but don’t let that discourage you from getting a picture-perfect smile. The process of applying a veneer to your tooth involves removing a small amount of enamel to ensure it fits like a glove. Although it doesn’t harm the health or integrity of your tooth, it will be vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria. Since your enamel can’t regenerate, any teeth treated with veneers will always need the protection of restorations. Thankfully, you won’t need to fret about replacing your veneers often. While they are thinner than ever, porcelain is durable. It may not be permanent, but your veneers can thrive for a decade or longer with the proper aftercare, like good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist.
How many veneers will I need?
Every smile is unique, just like fingerprints. There isn’t any way to determine the number of veneers you’ll need without first examining your smile. A veneer can be applied to a single tooth, such as to hide a chip or discoloration; however, the goal of the procedure is to improve the entire smile. It is often recommended veneers are bonded to the teeth most visible when smiling. Some patients may need 6 to 8 while others may require up to 12. Multiple veneers ensure a seamless transition from the restorations to your enamel while also delivering the most drastic improvement.
What happens to the tooth underneath the veneer?
Porcelain allows veneers to be ultrathin, so less enamel is removed during the bonding process. Not only does it make the procedure less invasive, but it also allows you to keep more of your tooth intact. It will stay strong and healthy with the proper care. While your veneers aren’t vulnerable to tooth decay, your underlying teeth can still be harmed by bacteria. You can prevent your veneers from failing and keep your teeth healthy by committing to brushing and flossing at home. Don’t forget to schedule a cleaning and checkup with your dentist, Dr. Devarakonda, at least twice a year to ensure your investment lasts.
Are veneers covered by dental insurance?
Veneers are considered an elective procedure, so it’s rare for dental insurance to cover their cost, but every situation differs. Although most policies don’t include veneers, there are exceptions, such as if the restorations are medically necessary. While it’s not common, sometimes dental insurance can be used to offset the expense of replacement veneers to protect the health of your teeth. If applicable, we will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to file the necessary claim forms to maximize your annual benefits. After reaching your yearly deductible, you can use your policy to lower the amount you’ll need to pay. If there’s any remaining balance, a member of our team will take the time to explain your payment options, like third-party financing. Your cosmetic dentist in Carrollton will help you keep your dream smile within your budget.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Cosmetic Dentist Today!
We offer a wide range of cosmetic, restorative, and orthodontic services to deliver the flawless smile of your dreams. Schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation to find out more about each of the treatments we provide. During your visit, we’ll examine your smile, answer any questions you may have, and walk you through potential treatment plans. In partnership with your dentist, you’ll create a smile makeover plan that is completely customized to fit your needs, budget, and schedule.
