Dental Veneers

The right dental veneers in Dallas, TX are one of the quickest ways to a more beautiful smile, and this treatment can be a great option for people with teeth that are stained, chipped or have gaps. Veneers are an irreversible treatment, so having them placed is a decision that must be carefully considered. Before you make a decision on whether the procedure is right for you, it’s important to have the right information about veneers, their cost and how best to care for them.

Why are Veneers Used?

Veneers are a less intrusive option when compared with crowns or braces. Veneers can be used to close small gaps and correct small misalignments. Often veneers are also chosen as a cosmetic solution to enhance the brightness of teeth, to straighten a smile, or to correct issues like discoloration, fractures, or chips.

What are Veneers?

A veneer is a thin piece of porcelain used to re-create the natural look of teeth. They offer strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. When created they are custom made to the contour of your teeth and are bonded to the tooth’s original enamel. The process will consist of a few of office visits to complete.

Placing Veneers

Depending on the dentist you use, the veneer process will require one to two appointments. Some dentists will offer prefabricated veneers and it usually takes one appointment and if a custom veneer is being created specifically for your application, two appointments will be required.

Following is a description of the general steps that are taken to place a veneer:

1 – Local anesthesia is not usually required when placing veneers. If a patient is more sensitive than it can be used if needed. After cleaning your tooth we will carefully determine the correct shade for the veneer. We will remove a very small amount of the enamel of the tooth to create room to place the veneer on the tooth.

2 – An impression of the tooth will be made for the laboratory and a temporary veneer will be placed on the tooth until the permanent veneer is placed.

3 – After the porcelain veneer has been created, the temporary veneer is removed and then the tooth is thoroughly cleaned. The veneer is then etched, rinsed thoroughly with water, and air dried. The adhesive is placed on the preparation and then the veneer is placed for exact fit and contour.

4 – After the veneer is precisely placed a light beam is used for 60 seconds on all surfaces to attach it to the tooth structure.

5 – We will then remove any excess material and polish the margins of the veneer to ensure it looks and feels great.

We will check with you to ensure that your veneer is a comfortable fit after you have had it in place for a short period. If it is comfortable in your mouth then it will typically last a very long time.

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Why Do I Need Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are utilized for a variety of reasons but prove to be a great solution for people with discolored, chipped, worn down, misaligned and uneven or irregularly shaped front teeth.

What are the Advantages?

The main advantage of using veneers is that the preparation of veneers preserve the most amount of tooth structure as very little needs to be removed. In addition, gum tissues respond well to dental veneers.  The color can be custom selected so matching current teeth is accomplished. Porcelain veneers are used in many cases because they are stain resistant.

Composite Bonding or Porcelain Veneers?

If you are not sure which is the best option for you we are here to explain all of the options available.  If the needed changes are minor and your teeth function properly, cosmetic bonding is often an appropriate choice.  If your teeth are spaced, broken, dark, and/or you clench or grind your teeth, then porcelain veneers may be the best option.

What if it Comes Off?

Although it is rare, it is possible for your veneers to come off. If this occurs remember that there is no need to panic. First, please do your best to save the veneer. Do NOT try to rebond the veneer to your tooth on your own. Please call us if you have an issue like this and we will work to get you as soon as possible. When the veneer is off your teeth may be more sensitive to hot and cold foods and liquids.

What is Involved?

Getting a new veneer is usually a stepped process. The first step is to schedule and come in for a consultation with us. During this visit, you can share your goals and concerns with us, and we will explain the options available to you including veneers. To ensure a proper fit for the solutions we can provide X-rays or impressions of your teeth may be needed. The second step is to prepare the tooth for the veneer. To allow room for the veneer and to keep the natural shape of the tooth after it is added, a small amount of tooth structure is removed and an impression is made. We will then place temporary veneers on your teeth and those will stay in place until the permanent version is placed. During the next appointment the temporaries will be removed, and the permanent veneers will be bonded to your teeth.

Many dentists will create veneers made from tooth colored filling material, or composite bonding. This process requires only one appointment in which the dentist will remove a small amount of tooth structure and bond filling material to your teeth. Compared with a porcelain veneer, this type of veneer is not as long lasting and doesn’t resist staining as well.

Can I Preview My Veneers?

The technologies we use in our office allow you to preview what your new veneer will look like after it is placed in your mouth. This will give you a very good idea of the aesthetic outcome and help you determine if veneers are right for them.

Do Veneers Match My Other Teeth?

Couture Dentistry is committed to making sure that your smile is one of your most valued assets. We can match your new veneers to the shade that the other teeth in your mouth currently are. Or, most people get their veneers in a whiter shade than their natural teeth and then take advantage of a teeth whitening program to brighten their smile overall.

How Long Do They Last?

Depending on the specific type of veneer and the overall wear and tear a specific person puts on their mouth, it will last between five and ten years. Fortunately, you can continue your normal routine for brushing, flossing, and check up visits to the dentist. If you properly care for your veneers they will last much longer. Like always, professional cleanings every six months and yearly exams are recommended.

How Many Veneers Do I Need?

To determine how many veneers are required for your situation, or if veneers are the best option, please schedule an appointment with us. In general it is a good idea to have an even number of veneers. From our experience two, four, eight, ten or twelve veneers create the best look overall.

About Dallas, Texas:

The city of Dallas is the county seat of Dallas county in North Texas. It straddles the Trinity River near the junction of its three forks and was incorporated in 1871. Dallas is only second to Houston in population in the state of Texas and it’s the eighth largest city in the U.S. Dallas is a commercial, industrial, and financial center. Manufacturing includes aerospace and electronic equipment, chemicals, cosmetics, textiles and leather goods. Dallas is also known for producing  aircraft, automobiles, and other transportation equipment.

The Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, also known as the Metroplex, is a world leader in high-technology industries. The computer manufacturers located in the area have given it the nickname Silicon Prairie. In addition to technology, the Metroplex also receives many defense contracts. If that wasn’t enough oil is also refined and there are meatpacking plants located in the area. The Southwest’s center for banking and insurance are anchored by the many headquarters in those industries located in Dallas. The Dallas–Fort Worth airport is one of the busiest in the world and busy regional airlines continue to use Love Field which is located just north of downtown.

Dallas was founded in 1841 and was populated early on by French artisans and gentlemen who abandoned a nearby Fourierist community called La Réunion. In 1846 the city was named after then Vice President George M. Dallas. The city developed as a cotton market in the 1870s, and later became known as a center for retail stores including Neiman-Marcus Co. which was founded in 1907. Other industries that the city of Dallas was built on are the oil industry when it boomed in the 1930s and aircraft production in the 1940s.

An event that everyone will never forget is when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Rapid metropolitan-area growth in the 1980s was evidenced by construction of postmodern office buildings that dramatically changed the city’s skyline. The skyline continues to grow and shape today with the addition of new skyscrapers and urban residences. North Dallas, sprawling, affluent, and continuously diversifying in the origin of its residents, continues to rapidly grow and expand.

Southern Methodist Univ., a branch of the Univ. of Texas, the Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, a theological seminary, and Texas A&M Univ.’s Baylor College of Dentistry are in the Dallas area. Dall is also known as a fashion center and has an amazing selection of museums including the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and the Perot Museum of Science and Nature.

The Texas State Fair is held every year in the art deco Fair Park and the annual Cotton bowl game is now played in AT&T Stadium where the Dallas Cowboys play their home games. The city is home to the Mavericks (NBA basketball) and Stars (NHL hockey). The Dallas Cowboys (NFL football) and Texas Rangers (MLB baseball) play in a nearby suburb between Ft. Worth and Dallas called Arlington.

What are the Drawbacks?

One thing to consider is that once you have had your tooth prepared for the veneer, it isn’t reversible. Also, if a veneer cracks, it is typically easier to just replace the entire veneer versus attempt to repair it. Another drawback is that if you have habits like pen-chewing or nail-biting these can crack the veneer. Veneers are not a good option for people with poor gum health. In addition, people who grind or clench their teeth are not good candidates for risk of chipping or cracking their veneers.

Who is a Good Candidate for Veneers?

If your smile includes stained or chipped teeth, veneers can be used to cover up your existing teeth. Many of our patients who chose to do a makeover on their smile often include veneers as a part of their plan.

Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for Veneers?

If you suffer from extensive tooth decay we will not recommend for you to simply cover it up with veneers. Before we do anything we will want to ensure the health of your teeth, so removing any decay would be recommended first. If you grind your teeth veneers can still be an option for you but we may need to put you in a mouth night guard to wear when you are sleeping to ensure you do not damage them.

What are the Types of Veneers?

Porcelain and composite bonding are the most common veneer materials. Composite veneers are made of a resin that is shaped and bonded to a tooth to enhance the appearance. Porcelain veneers are usually made in a lab and are more resistant to staining, compared to other materials.

What Care is Involved?

Brushing two times each day for two minutes, flossing daily, and keeping up with your cleanings and checkups are all that is needed for care. Although not necessary, wearing a bite guard at night is a great way to protect the veneers. You should also avoid eating very hard foods like almonds and hard candy, or cracking shells with the front veneers.

What is the Most Common Reason for Veneers?

The porcelain veneer is very strong and should not break under normal circumstances. If gum recession occurs the root of the tooth may become exposed. Patients may want new veneers to cover the roots. The integrity of veneered teeth is marginally compromised, and the veneer is bonded to the existing teeth. There is no higher incidence of decay provided that the veneers are properly cared for as detailed above, regular brushing with toothpaste, and flossing.

Does Insurance Cover It?

It depends on your dental insurance. Some insurance companies will cover up to 50% of a fee they see as reasonable, but don’t expect payment without first discussing the procedure with both your prosthodontist and insurance provider.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

The cost of porcelain veneers will vary depending on where you are having them done, and on how many teeth.

Is There Pain Involved?

Typically patients are numb for the veneering process. There should be no pain during the procedure once numbness takes effect. With smaller cases (two or four veneers) there will be very little or no discomfort after the numbness subsides. Patients should expect some soreness of the gums and possibly the jaw in cases that involve eight or more veneers. The soreness can typically be alleviated with over the counter medications.

Is Gum Contouring Required?

In some veneer cases, contouring the gums will give a better cosmetic outcome. It is done to create symmetry and lengthen short teeth. Most gum contouring causes no additional discomfort during or after treatment. On rare occasions surgical contouring must be done if the teeth are very short. Patients are referred to a periodontist for this procedure.

What’s Different After They are Placed?

Yes! You can brush all your teeth the same way. You can floss all the veneered teeth and you should continue your regular hygiene appointments as you have in the past.

What Habits Should I Stop?

Stop all bad teeth habits immediately, such as nail biting, straw chewing, fork nibbling, opening bags with teeth, pulling on clothing or gloves with teeth, and anything that will put undue stress on the veneers.

What Foods Should I Avoid?

You can eat most foods but each patient has a different bite. Therefore, we recommend eating softer foods the first few days until the patient gets used to the new bite position. After several weeks there is no limitation unless your case has specific needs. The most common foods to avoid are: ice, hard biscuits, hard candy, caramel apples, hard nuts, pumpkin seeds, and popcorn.

What are The Alternatives?

One alternative is called the ‘Snap on Smile’. This is something you wear over your teeth to give the illusion of a straighter, whiter smile. It does not look as natural as Lumineers or veneers but some people prefer this option.

What are Lumineers?

Lumineers are a commercial brand of porcelain veneers. The veneers can be fitted to your existing teeth without preparation (the need to drill or grind them down), making them potentially reversible. Lumineers are considered as an alternative to veneers.

Lumineers or Porcelain Veneers?

If the dental situation is appropriate, traditional porcelain veneers can be made the same way as Lumineers without tooth preparation. It is best to consult a prosthodontist to find the best fit for you.