At Saginaw Dental, we do more than just promote the health of your teeth and gums. We also care about how confident you are in your smile. When you have aesthetic flaws like chips, gaps, and stains, it can be hard to find a reason to show off your pearly whites. That’s where veneers in Saginaw can come into play. These custom-made restorations can be fitted over your front teeth to essentially mask your cosmetic imperfections. If you’re ready to completely revamp your smile with veneers, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Veneers are shells of durable dental porcelain that are custom-made to meet each and every patient’s individual smile needs. They are handcrafted in a lab by a skilled team of ceramists and are able to permanently conceal virtually any flaws in your teeth. Additionally, veneers are highly resistant to staining, meaning you can enjoy items like coffee, tea, and berries to your heart’s content without worrying about tarnishing your smile.
For smile flaws like chips, cracks, and severe stains, veneers are the perfect treatment, as they can be bonded to your teeth to give them the appearance of being naturally perfect. Even if you have minorly crooked or gapped teeth, you may be able to benefit from veneers. They can instantly correct uneven spaces and slightly misaligned teeth, earning them the nickname “instant orthodontics.”
However, before we place veneers, it’s crucial that your underlying teeth and gums are in good condition. This means that if you have any cavities or instances of gum disease, we must address those issues beforehand.
After your initial consultation with your cosmetic dentist in Saginaw, getting veneers takes just two appointments. The first phase of your treatment entails cleaning your teeth and removing a very thin layer of enamel. This will ensure your veneers lay flat and don’t bulge out in your smile. Then, impressions of your prepared teeth are taken and sent off to our partnered dental lab to create your permanent veneers. In the meantime, we can attach temporaries to your teeth. A few weeks later, you’ll return to our office and your veneers will be bonded in place with a special dental cement.
Veneers can easily last 10 years, or even longer if you properly take care of them. That involves:
Don’t worry – your mouth will be numbed for the veneer placement. As a result, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the treatment process. Once you return home, you might feel some soreness, but you can take an OTC pain reliever to alleviate it. As always, if you have any questions or are unsure if a symptom you’re feeling is normal, you can always give us a call. We’re here to help!
Yes, you can still drink coffee with veneers! We do recommend using a straw though. After all, while your veneers are resistant to dental discoloration, your natural teeth are not. That’s why taking proactive measures to keep your teeth white (i.e., brushing twice a day, not smoking, getting a dental cleaning twice a year) is essential.
There have been several studies done to answer this question. In 2012, there was one conducted by Beier that reported veneers lasted for 20 years 83% of the time, which is quite impressive! However, the longevity of your results rests largely on how well you take care of your smile. That’s another reason we encourage our patients to adopt good oral hygiene best practices, like brushing and flossing consistently.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. While one patient might want to fix a few chipped teeth, the next patient may want to completely transform the size, shape, and shade of each tooth. In other words, it really depends on what your specific aesthetic goals are! During your consultation, we will learn all about your dream smile and share if veneers are the best cosmetic dental treatment for you and, if they are, how many you’ll need.
Although you won’t have to completely alter your diet with veneers, there are a few foods we recommend exercising caution with. Hard candies, like lollipops, are a great example because they are packed with sugar and the tough exterior can easily chip one of your veneers. Instead, we encourage our patients to focus on finding foods that are smile-friendly and delicious, like fresh fruits, lean proteins, and cooked vegetables.
Most of the time, dental insurance providers don’t cover the cost of veneers. The good news is that there is another way you can make the cost of your smile makeover more affordable: CareCredit! This trusted third-party financier offers convenient payment plans so you can break up the total price into smaller, more manageable chunks. If you are interested in learning more about this financial solution, including how to sign up, just give us a call.
Veneers are not permanent. They can, however, last for 10+ years with the right best practices in place. That starts with incorporating healthy habits into your routine, like brushing your teeth each morning and evening, eating healthy, well-balanced meals, and coming to our Saginaw dental office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. You should also avoid doing anything that could cause them to chip, crack, or come loose, like eating taffy or using tobacco products.
Have you heard veneers referred to as “instant orthodontics?” That’s because they can conceal dental misalignment, including mild crookedness, in as little as two visits. So, if you don’t want to wait 2+ years to have a straight smile (or wear metal brackets and wires in the process), you should schedule an appointment with our team at Saginaw Dental! That way, we can learn about your smile goals and dental needs to determine if you’re a good candidate.
Actually, yes! Veneers are not recommended for patients who have tooth decay, gum disease, or bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding). If any dental problems like these exist, don’t get discouraged. After all, we offer several restorative treatments at our office, including tooth-colored fillings and dental crowns. This allows us to streamline the process of creating a smile that’s as healthy as it is beautiful.
Veneers in Saginaw are crafted from materials like dental porcelain, which cannot be whitened. So, if you want a vibrant, more radiant smile, we usually recommend undergoing a teeth whitening treatment first. Then, once you’ve achieved the results that you desire, we can shade-match your veneers to ensure they blend in seamlessly.
Important reminder: Veneers are stain-resistant, so they should maintain their beautiful appearance throughout their lifespan. If there does come a time when you are no longer happy with their color, don’t reach for an over-the-counter whitening kit. Instead, get in touch with our team so we can learn more about your aesthetic concerns, take a look at your veneers, and determine the best way to proceed.