Give Your Smile an Upgrade With Porcelain Veneers
What are Porcelain Veneers?
What are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?
- They can improve the appearance of stained teeth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth, and crooked teeth
- They can also hide any imperfections between teeth – like gaps and spacing
- They are long-lasting and require very little maintenance
- They are a relatively painless procedure
- They look natural and can be made to match the color of your teeth
Porcelain Veneers - the Process
Getting porcelain veneers is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that usually requires two or more trips to our office in Fort Collins. For your first veneers dental appointment, our dentist will prepare your teeth for veneers providing you’re a good candidate for veneers. Patients should have gums that are free of periodontal disease (gum disease) as well as have a healthy tooth structure on teeth where veneers will be applied (no tooth decay).
Veneers Video Overview
For a brief look a the process of getting veneers along with the benefits, please take a look at the video below from the American Dental Association.
The Benefits of Veneers (courtesy of the American Dental Association)
Interested in Veneers?
Porcelain Veneers : Frequently Asked Questions
Who Probably Isn't Eligible for Veneers?
People with poor dental hygiene
If you have poor dental hygiene, veneers may not be a good fit for you. In order to maintain the veneers and get them to last, it requires good dental habits. That means brushing at least twice a day and regular flossing (at least once daily). It also means coming into our Fort Collins office for regular checkups to make sure that your oral health is being properly maintained.
Night Grinders
People with bruxism (grinding your teeth - either at night or during the day) can put additional stress on the veneers and eventually damage them. Conclusion: there are solutions (like night guards) that may help you avoid grinding. Speak with our dentist at our Fort Collins office for more information.
Are Porcelain Veneers Better than Composite Veneers?
There are two types of dental veneers: porcelain veneers and composite veneers. Porcelain veneers are preferable to composite veneers, because they're more resistant to staining and look more natural. They are also more durable.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Like most dental work, porcelain veneers won't last a lifetime. Porcelain Veneers can typically last anywhere from 10-15 years. The lifetime of veneers is dependent on many factors including good dental hygiene and proper care. You'll want to avoid biting down on hard things, and grinding your teeth can damage veneers.
Can I Whiten my Porcelain Veneers?
No. At-home teeth whitening with porcelain veneers is likely to damage the veneers without providing any real benefit. Teeth whitening should occur prior to getting porcelain veneers - not any time after the procedure has been completed.
To keep your dental veneers as white as possible, be sure to follow proper oral hygiene habits - including brushing and Waterpiking. This is especially important after consuming food or drink (like coffee or wine) that result in the staining of your porcelain dental veneers.
It is also important to come into our office regularly for a dental cleaning and an exam in order for us to help maintain your veneers. In some cases, we may be able to remove or reduce dental veneer discoloration.
Is the Veneer Process Painful?
No, the veneer process isn't painful. A local anesthetic is applied during your first treatment to reduce the chances of feeling any pain.
How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?
The cost of porcelain veneers varies depending on your specific needs. Veneers may be considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure by your insurance carrier and may not be covered depending on your dental insurance. Some insurance companies may cover a portion of the cost of veneers.
Our dental office staff has experts at navigating dental insurance. Call us with your insurance information and we can tell you exactly how much your insurance company will cover.
We also have an in-house plan to help you with covering costs. CareCredit financing is available as well.
Can Veneers Replace Missing Teeth?
No. Neither porcelain nor composite resin veneers are able to replace missing teeth. Their placement requires that your original tooth is in place so that the veneer has a surface to adhere to.
If you need to replace missing teeth, we suggest you check out our restorative dentistry services - including dental implants.
