If your teeth do not look aesthetically pleasing, then you may have started to look into dental veneers. Those who have discolored or misshaped teeth can benefit from these oral health solutions. Understanding what these are is important before deciding whether or not to have them installed in your mouth. Let’s take some time to look at just what they are and their benefits for your life.
Dental veneers go by a lot of different names. You may hear them called dental porcelain laminates and porcelain veneers in Los Angeles. These are all terms that describe a veneer that is manufactured to cover the front surface of your tooth. You mustn’t get this confused with a dental implant or crown. The crown is an actual replacement of the entire tooth. Veneers only are concerned with covering the front surface of the tooth that is visible when you smile. There is no implant screw placed into the jaw for this type of procedure.
When you opt to have dental veneers installed by Dr. Abaian in Los Angeles, he’ll be able to successfully alter the shape, size, length, and color of your teeth. The whole reason that people have veneers placed on their existing teeth is to enhance the appearance of their smile. Dental veneers are commonly used to fix the following aesthetic problems:
- Worn Down Teeth
- Chipped Or Broken Teeth
- Misaligned Teeth
- Teeth With Unpleasant Gaps
- Discolored Teeth
When you decide to undergo dental veneer placement, you’ll typically get the choice between porcelain and resin compound materials. When it comes to choosing which one you want to use, it’s a good idea to discuss the pros and cons of each with your dental health professional. As a general rule of thumb, porcelain veneers are stronger, resist stains better, and last longer than resin composite veneers. However, the porcelain veneers typically come at a much higher price tag than the resin veneers. You should take the necessary time to weigh both your options before deciding on which one to go with.
Undergoing dental veneer installation will involve typically three trips to your dental health professional. Most general dentists will install these dental veneers, so you won’t need to worry about seeing a specific dental health specialist to get the job done. During your first visit to your dentist, you’ll be discussing the possibility of having dental veneers put on your existing teeth. Your dentist will likely take x-rays, examine your teeth, and possibly make impressions of your mouth. This is where you hash out the type of material that will be used and how many teeth will be undergoing the veneer installation.
During your second visit, your dentist will prepare your teeth for having the veneers installed. This involves removing about one half of a millimeter of enamel from the surface of your teeth. This is equal to the thickness of the veneer that will be placed on the teeth. Realize that you’ll be undergoing local anesthesia to numb the teeth that are getting shaved down. If your dentist didn’t previously take a mold of your mouth, they will at this point. The mold they take of your teeth gets sent to a dental lab where the veneers are constructed. Since each veneer is customized to fit your teeth, it will typically take two to four weeks for your dentist to get the veneers back from the lab.
Once your dentist gets your veneers in, they will schedule a third appointment with you. During this third appointment, you’ll undergo the actual installation of the dental veneers. Your dentist will dry fit all the veneers and make any trimming adjustments to ensure they fit your teeth properly. Before the veneers are permanently installed, your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. This last etching step works to roughen the teeth to allow for a much stronger bond during the actual installation process.
Next, the veneers permanently adhere to the teeth with special cement. Once the veneer is in its proper place, your dentist will use a special light beam that works to harden the chemicals in the special cement compound. This light beam cures the special cement to a hardened material. After the special cement has dried, your dentist will evaluate your bite and make any final adjustments of removing excess cement as needed. Your dentist may prefer you to visit a fourth time to follow-up and ensure that your gums are responding correctly to the veneers. This is up to the individual preference of the treating dentist.
Part of choosing to do any sort of oral health procedure involves understanding the price tag that comes along with it. When it comes to the cost of veneers in Los Angeles, you can expect to pay around 1,500 dollars per tooth. This price may vary depending on several factors including the dental professional, geographical location, tooth location, and so forth. Most insurance policies won’t cover dental veneers as they are considered more of a cosmetic procedure than a medical one. You can expect your dental veneers to last about 10 to 15 years if they are prepped properly. Cheaper, no-prep options are available for around 1,000 dollars per tooth. However, it’s important to note that these non-prep veneers last only five to seven years at best. They should only be considered as a short-term option.