Porcelain Veneers – Corpus Christi, TX
Make Discolored, Chipped, Imperfect Teeth a Thing of the Past
Year after year, one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments is veneers. And it’s not hard to see why! These versatile, thin, shell-like sheaths of porcelain can make discolored, chipped, imperfect teeth a thing of the past. In his time as a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Thompson has helped countless patients transform their smiles, and he can do the same for you. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation for porcelain veneers in Corpus Christi.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Whether they are called porcelain veneers, dental veneers, or just veneers, these cosmetic coverings can do wonders for your smile. Since they are bonded to the front-facing portion of your teeth, these ultra-thin layers of fine porcelain can effectively conceal a variety of smile imperfections – from a minor crack to permanent discoloration. Additionally, teeth that are misshaped, too small, or slightly crooked can be made to look more balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
The Porcelain Veneers Process
Before beginning any cosmetic procedure, Dr. Thompson will need to make sure your teeth and gums are free from cavities and gum disease. If any dental concerns are present, he can add the necessary remedy to your treatment plan to restore your oral health entirely. From there, you will discuss the shade, shape, and other details that make up your dream smile. Next, a slim layer of enamel will need to be filed away so your veneers will lay flush with your other teeth and do not protrude. With the aid of X-rays, photographs, and impressions, Dr. Thompson will meticulously design each individual veneer. That way, veneers for your incisors will look like incisors and canine teeth will look like canines. Our experienced dental lab will need about two weeks to handcraft the veneers, which is why we will provide you with a temporary set in the meantime. Once your permanent veneers arrive back in our office, Dr. Thompson will check the size and fit before adhesively bonding each one into place.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers continue to be a leading cosmetic treatment because they come with a number of benefits, such as:
- Stain-resistant properties
- They correct multiple flaws in a single treatment
- 10+ year lifespan with proper care
- Natural-looking result
- Relatively quick turn-around time
- They are easy to maintain
Ready to leave discolored, stained, and otherwise imperfect teeth in the past? Just give us a call! From there, we can schedule your initial consultation, and you’ll be another step closer to your dream smile.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Veneers are capable of dramatically changing the way you look for the better, giving you a smile that just screams “luxury.” And while people are often excited about the way that they look, they’re usually less enthusiastic about what it costs.
There are a wide range of cosmetic treatments available to you if you want to improve your smile, so if you need a little bit of help budgeting for your dream teeth, here’s some information that may help you.
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
There are all kinds of considerations that you need to make when deciding which cosmetic procedure is right for you. While it’s smart to try and pursue the treatment best suited to your needs, it’s also usually necessary to factor budgetary considerations into your decision.
While it’s easy to feel like all of cosmetic dentistry is expensive, there are a myriad of treatments available at different price points. Direct bonding, for example, is an inexpensive way to repair small bits of damage to your smile. There’s also teeth whitening, which can make a drastic change to the way your smile looks; it’s more expensive than direct bonding, but less so than other treatments.
Then there’s Invisalign, which is on the pricier side but is capable of straightening out your smile beautifully. And finally there’s veneers, which can certainly be expensive, but do a combination of each of the things listed here—whiten, repair, and even straighten teeth. Moreover, they can manage all this within just two appointments!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Veneers are a purely elective procedure, which means that there’s little-to-no chance that they’ll be covered by your insurance. That means that, unless you’re ready to pay out-of-pocket, you’ll have to explore other options to make veneers affordable.
We frequently work with financing firms like CareCredit and Sunbit that can loan you money for care. You can then pay off your dental services over the course of several months.
These financing services offer low-to-no interest financing, so if you’re trying to get the care that you need, there are tools available to make it affordable for you.
Veneer FAQs
What Happens to Teeth Under Veneers?
The teeth underneath the veneers will remain healthy as long as you properly care for them. A minimal amount of enamel is removed to fit the veneers, but the bonding material used is safe and won't harm your teeth.
Rest assured – this procedure will not increase the risk of cavities since the enamel is covered by the veneers. However, it's still essential to brush and floss regularly to prevent tooth decay from forming beneath the porcelain shells. Be sure to follow good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily, flossing, limiting sugar, and attending regular dental cleanings to help protect both your teeth and the veneers.
Can Veneers Be Used for Bite Corrections?
Veneers can be used for bite corrections in some cases, but they don't change the actual position of the teeth or jaw. Their effectiveness depends on the severity of the bite issue. For a mild open bite, veneers can make teeth appear longer and wider to create the illusion that they line up correctly. They can also hide small gaps between teeth.
Of course, veneers are only recommended for bite issues that don't pose significant oral health risks but still affect appearance. If orthodontic correction is needed, it's best to wait until after the treatment to get veneers.
Is It Painful to Get Veneers?
Not at all! Your mouth will be numb during the procedure, so you shouldn't feel pain at that time. However, you might experience some sensitivity or discomfort when temporary veneers are first attached. The level of post-treatment discomfort varies. Placing two to four veneers usually causes little to no pain, but placing eight or more can result in soreness in the gums and jaw.
Some people may also experience temporary "bonding sensitivity," which causes sharp pain when biting into hot or cold foods. Luckily, this can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and saltwater rinses.
Do Veneers Change Your Face?
Yes, believe it or not, they can subtly change the appearance of your face. Veneers provide extra support for the mouth’s musculature, which can help accentuate the cheekbones and improve facial structure. As we age, the mouth loses elasticity and muscle tone, so the additional support from veneers can make a noticeable difference.
In some cases, veneers can provide a facelift-like effect without the need for surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Thompson can explain how veneers might impact the shape of your face based on your unique features.