What veneers do, and the part people are not told
Veneers cover the visible surface of a tooth, so shape, colour, length and small alignment issues can all be changed at once. For someone unhappy with several things at the front, they can do in weeks what other treatments cannot do at all.
The part that gets glossed over is that fitting a veneer usually means removing some enamel, and enamel does not grow back. Once a tooth has been prepared for a veneer it will always need one.
That is not an argument against them. It is an argument for being sure, and for trying the less invasive options first if they would get you the same result.
Veneers are usually considered for
- Teeth that will not respond to whitening
- Chipped or worn front edges
- Small gaps between front teeth
- Teeth of uneven shape or length
- Deep staining from medication or injury
- Several front teeth someone wants changed together
How veneers are done
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A conversation about alternatives
Whitening, bonding and reshaping first. If one of those gets you the result, we say so.
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Health check
Gums and teeth underneath have to be sound before anything is bonded on top.
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Design and preview
Shape, shade and proportion planned digitally, and you approve it before preparation.
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Preparation and temporaries
A small amount of enamel is removed and temporaries are fitted while the veneers are made.
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Fitting
Checked for fit, bite and shade in your own daylight before they are bonded permanently.
Who you will see
Dr. Shayan Azimi looks after porcelain veneers at our Bishop Arts practice. You see the same dentist at every visit, so nobody starts your treatment over.
What it costs, and how people pay
Price depends on what you actually need, so we look first and tell you the number before anything starts. What we can tell you now is how it gets paid for.
- Insured. In network with most major PPO plans, and your benefits get checked before treatment is planned.
- Medicaid or CHIP. Both accepted, which a lot of Dallas practices will not do.
- No insurance. Our membership plan covers cleanings, exams and routine x-rays from $30 a month, with 20% off other treatment.
- Larger treatment. Cherry, Sunbit and HFD payment plans spread the cost.
Porcelain Veneers questions
- Are veneers permanent?
- The preparation is. Enamel removed to fit a veneer does not grow back, so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown from then on. The veneers themselves are replaced periodically.
- How long do veneers last?
- Often a decade or more with good care, though they can chip and they do need replacing eventually. Grinding your teeth shortens that considerably, and a nightguard is worth discussing.
- Do I need veneers, or would whitening do it?
- If the only complaint is colour, whitening is cheaper, faster and does not involve touching the tooth. We will tell you that rather than selling you veneers you do not need.
- Will veneers look natural?
- They should. Proportion and shade are planned against your face and your other teeth, and you see and approve the design before any preparation happens.