Let’s start this post about veneers making a simple comparison for better understanding. You can either think about acrylic nails, or imagine a countertop laminate sheet, whatever you are more familiar with. They are both bonded on top of a surface to improve the appearance, right? That’s exactly what dental veneers do: they correct some dental imperfections to provide a more esthetic smile.
Now it’s time to dive into the topic. Dental veneers are thin shells of highly esthetic materials like porcelain, the newest zirconia, or the lower cost composite resin. They are custom-made to ensure a perfect fit over your teeth and correct a variety of cosmetic issues, such as small enamel chips, shallow cracks, short gaps, mild misaligned teeth, or internal teeth stains.
At Hi5 Smiles Dental we offer great prices for Veneers in Houston, Texas, knowing they are a great option for patients who want a natural-looking smile with minimal to none teeth reduction, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
For the conventional veneers, some tooth reduction is necessary to provide the lab with enough thickness for the material. This tooth reduction is irreversible and before the final product is delivered a temporary veneer is needed. Newer techniques and materials allow for an ultra thin and durable type of veneer that doesn’t require tooth modification or the need for a temporary restoration, but they are not meant for everyone, we always evaluate each case to offer the patient the most conservative, but also the most predictable restoration.
There is a lower quality, less expensive option to the lab fabricated veneers: Composite resin veneers, which are made of tooth-colored filling material. This procedure is done at the office by applying and sculpting the material directly onto the teeth. There are several problems with those: they are weaker, less realistic, and more prone to staining, needing to be replaced more often than porcelain veneers.
If you are looking to enhance your smile with dental veneers with a great cosmetic dentist in Houston, Texas, consider Hi5 Smiles Dental, with honest assessment and upfront pricing. Here is a general overview of the steps we will go through:
Consultation: You will come to our office to discuss your goals and expectations. For a better diagnosis we will take radiographs, evaluate your oral health and suitability for dental veneers. We will explain the pros and cons of each type of veneer and help you decide which one is best for you. For predictable results, preliminary impressions of your teeth will be taken and sent to the dental laboratory, where a wax mock up of the smile design will be generated and shown to you before any treatment is started. A very important step for optimal results is teeth shade selection, that way the veneers will look natural and blend well with your natural dentition, and this the best time to decide if teeth whitening is necessary.
Preparation: A thin layer of enamel may need to be removed from the front surface of your teeth to make room for the veneers. Some sensitivity or discomfort could be a side effect of this reduction, but it is usually minimal and temporary. After the teeth modification, or right after approval of the smile design if no reduction is needed, we will take the final impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental laboratory where your veneers will be fabricated. If your enamel was reduced, don’t worry, we will place temporary veneers on your teeth until your permanent ones are ready.
Placement: During this appointment we will check the fit, color, and shape of your veneers and make any necessary adjustments. We will then clean, polish, and etch your teeth to create a strong bond with the veneers. For the veneers we use a special type of cement with strong tensile and compressive strength, which is hardened with a curing light to secure the veneers in place. Before setting you free with your new smile, we will remove any excess cement and evaluate your bite and smile.
Follow-up: We do like to schedule a follow-up visit after a few weeks to make any fine adjustments if needed, and also check how your gums are responding to the veneers.
Now, a few thoughts to set the right expectations. Porcelain and zirconia are highly resistant to stains from coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco, but they are not completely stain-proof, and they may discolor over time due to aging or exposure to certain chemicals. Composite resin veneers are more prone to staining than porcelain veneers, and they may need to be polished or replaced more often to maintain their color. Remember they are a thin layer of material, so they are susceptible to break while practicing tough sports, chewing on ice or extremely hard food like bone, using your teeth like tools to cut things other than food, or even trying to look cool opening beer bottles with your teeth… not good ideas after a big investment. It is also important to remind you that even when veneers won’t get caries, the remaining tooth structure is still susceptible to the acid produced by bacteria and responsible for dental decay.
For the long term success of your new improved smile you should limit the consumption of staining foods and drinks, rinse your mouth after eating or drinking, keep a good oral hygiene with consistent brushing and flossing, use whitening toothpaste or mouthwash, wear a mouthguard while playing sports, and avoid chewing on extremely hard food or using your teeth as tools for tasks other than eating.
Dental insurances usually do not cover dental veneers because they are considered a cosmetic procedure. In rare cases, if the veneers are needed for medical reasons, some dental plans may offer partial coverage. But at Hi5 Smiles Dental, besides providing great service by one of the best cosmetic dentists in Houston Texas, we also offer financing options or payment plans through a third-party lender with easy application, soft credit check, high approval rate and flexible payment options. Give us a call: 713-364-8304.