About Cosmetic Veneers

New technologies and materials have paved the way to better and more conservative  cosmetic  dental procedures. Whether it’s the dazzling Hollywood smile, or that great natural smile, cosmetic veneers may be your answer.

Veneers are thin durable facings that are bonded to the front of your teeth requiring little or no teeth

preparation or anesthesia. They look like porcelain caps but only cover the front of the teeth.

They are used to:

·         Whiten stained or dark teeth

·         Mask or cover defects

·         Close unsightly spaces

·         “Straighten” crooked teeth without orthodontics

·         Lengthen worn or short teeth

·         Enlarge small teeth

·         Give you a beautiful smile

Our veneers are strong and can have a life span comparable to porcelain crowns with proper care.

They are generally preferred over crowns for cosmetic purposes because they are metal free,

and require Less tooth structure removal.

We offer two types or variations of cosmetic veneers to satisfy each patient’s specific needs, values, and objectives. The trade-off is primarily between tooth removal and cosmetics. Remember that even the least  conservative veneer is still more conservative than a porcelain crown.

A. CONTACT LENS - NO TOOTH REDUCTION ($390.00 each)
Enhance your smile yet keep your options open with this “reversible” procedure. Very thin ½ mm thick veneers are bonded directly to your teeth with little or no tooth preparation or anesthesia. Your teeth become slightly thicker and larger due to the added thickness. The “contact lens” type of veneers is primarily suited to relatively straight teeth that are worn or damaged, moderately dark or stained and to close spaces between teeth. They are more applicable to the upper teeth rather than the lowers and because of their thinness; some underlying tooth color may show through slightly. For the right case this will give beautiful results without compromising tooth structure and at the lowest cost.

B.  STANDARD VENEERS  ($480.00 each)

To change shapes of teeth,

mask darker stains, and give

more vitality or translucency,

thicker veneers are needed

which requires some tooth

reduction.  The amount

depends on the teeth

themselves and smile factors

present to give you the best

cosmetic effect possible.

Typically, tooth enamel is

reduced about ½ to 1mm on the

surface and 1 to 2 mm on the

biting edge and between the teeth. This procedure may require anesthesia and temporary

facings for cosmetic or sensitivity reasons. Remember that although some tooth reduction is

needed, this procedure is still much more conservative than a crown preparation.

C. MATERIAL

Our veneers and crowns are fabricated in our laboratory using a resin-  based, polymer-reinforced porcelain made by Jeneric Pentron. This relatively new material (over 5 years old) is ideal for veneers because it is stronger, more flexible, and less brittle than conventional porcelain. We can make thinner, more conservative veneers that look great and wear like tooth enamel. For those cases where insurance will cover the procedure, the materials and veneers fall under ADA code 2962. 

D. CARE AND DURABILITY

Just as in all dental restorations, proper care is advised. Your veneers are fragile yet strong enough to withstand normal eating and chewing. You can bite into apples, hamburgers, fried chicken, etc. but not fingernails, ice, pencils, pens, or other hard objects which are not recommended for natural teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard may be needed to protect your teeth and veneers.

Brush and floss your veneers as normal. We recommend using bleaching trays once every two months to keep your teeth and veneers their whitest. Also, be sure to tell your hygienist that you have veneers and that you may have a small ledge above the gum line. Ultrasonic scalers are not advised for cleaning around the veneers.

Your veneers should last many years with regular care. They are simple to maintain and approach porcelain crowns in longevity (3-15 years). Another feature of the polymer-reinforced porcelain is its ease of repair. Should you chip, break or lose one, they are easily repaired or replaced.