What are porcelain veneers?
Having a smile that you love is a great confidence booster! There are a number of the treatment options available to correct various dental maladies and richmond porcelain veneers are up there with the best of treatments.
What are porcelain veneers and how are they used?
Veneers are made of thin porcelain that is bonded directly to teeth to improve your smile. Unlike crowns, veneers only cover the front of the tooth. Porcelain veneers are used by dentists to restore teeth or improve aesthetics.
Patients with chipped teeth often choose to have their tooth repaired with dental bonding and while bonding is a great solution, it is not as strong as a veneer and will have to be repaired and replaced throughout the years, especially on front teeth. Porcelain veneers or a more costly option as opposed to bonding but in the long run, they may actually save money.
Porcelain veneers can also be used to correct crooked teeth or gaps in the teeth. If your teeth do not require braces or clear aligners therapy, you may be able to have slight crookedness fixed with veneers.
And of course, veneers can be used to restore teeth with decay or fractures. Sometimes, if a front tooth is broken or has a cavity, a veneer could be a better option than other restorative treatments.
What is the procedure for porcelain veneers?
Your dentist will take photos and an impression of your mouth and make a model for the dental lab to use to fabricate your veneers. Together, you and your dentist will determine the best shade for your new veneers to match your natural teeth. Your dentist will then prepare the teeth receiving veneers and fit them with temporary veneers that are made in the office. Your temporary veneers are held in place using a temporary cement that is easier to remove down permanent cement.
After a couple of weeks, your dentist will receive your veneers back from the dental lab and have you come in for a fitting. If they are perfect, then congratulations, you can leave with your new smile! Sometimes, adjustments need to be made and your case will be sent back to the lab for refinement.
Once your veneers are perfect, your dentist will cement them and place them using permanent cement and make sure that your bite is comfortable.
How much do veneers cost?
Your dentist may have the technology to fabricate your veneers in their office though, a lot of dentists choose to use dental labs. The cost of a veneer runs between $800 and $2000 per tooth. The range varies with the location of your dental office and the expertise of your dentist. Even though this may be a lot, veneers last much longer than cheaper composite bonding. Veneers can easily last 20 years with proper care and maintenance whereas bonding may only last a few months or a couple of years.
How do I care for my veneers?
Veneers are cared for just like the rest of your teeth! Proper brushing and flossing are key to keeping your veneers in great shape. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and examinations will help ensure that your beautiful new smile lasts as long as possible.
More on Porcelain Veneers : Porcelain Veneer Procedure