Dental Veneers

If you have misshapen, broken or chipped, or discolored teeth, dental veneers may the solution to a whiter, straighter smile. Dental veneers are thin shells made of either porcelain or composite materials that cover the front part of your teeth to improve their appearance. Dental veneers are a cosmetic dentistry approach to providing a natural looking and feeling smile.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

• Veneers are made of resin-composite materials or porcelain
• Veneers change the size, shape, and color of teeth
• Porcelain veneers are stain resistant
• Dental veneers are a conservative cosmetic approach to improving the appearance of teeth
• Can give a person more confidence in their smile
• May replace the need for teeth whitening

Dental Veneers Candidates

If you are considering getting a dental veneer, a dentist will evaluate if you are an ideal candidate. A dentist will examine your teeth, take x-rays and ask questions about your oral hygiene. Generally, a good candidate for dental veneers is a person who:

• Good oral hygiene
• Health gums
• Free from periodontal disease
• Does not need extensive mouth or tooth restoration (dental implants)

Dental Veneers Procedure

Dental veneers can be applied in either one or two visits. During the initial visit, a dentist makes a mold of your mouth and teeth. The mold is sent to a dental lab where CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) technology constructs the veneers. After the veneers are created, they are sent back to the dentist's office, at which point you will return to have the veneers applied.

If your dentist has CAD/CAM technology available in the office, the veneers can be created and applied on the same day.

To apply the veneers, the dentist will administer a local anesthesia to avoid any pain. The tooth is polished and cleaned to prepare for the dental veneer application. Before the veneer is cemented on the tooth, the veneer is temporarily placed to make sure it fits well. Dentists may shave or trim the veneer to properly fit it to the tooth.

Your dentist will then place the veneer on the tooth and use a light beam to activate the cementing chemicals on the veneer to harden the veneer on your tooth.

Any extra cement is removed and the dentist makes sure the veneers look natural.

Cost of Dental Veneers

The cost of dental veneers ranges from $500 to $1500 per tooth. The location where the procedure is performed, the dentist, and the extent of the procedure are all factors in the cost of dental veneers. The cost of veneers is generally not covered by dental insurance, but a person should check their dental plan for specific details.

Taking Care of your Dental Veneers

To take care of your new dental veneers, you should continue to brush and floss and practice good oral hygiene. Avoid staining veneers with coffee, tea, or other beverages. Your dental veneers can last between 5 and 10 years and need to be replaced after this time.

For more information about dental veneers or dentistry, visit Consumer Guide to Dentistry.