General Information
1) What are veneers?
Dental veneers are thin coatings or sheets of material which are placed on the surface of the tooth to correct color or shape problems, or both.
2) Who is a candidate for veneers?
Veneers are a great solution for patients with serious tooth discoloration, for whom bleaching and lightening techniques are inadequate, and are ideal for patients with misshapen or crooked teeth, chipped or pitted teeth, or teeth with small gaps between them.
3) What are veneers used for?
Veneers are a simple, effective solution to improve the appearance of minor tooth defects which amy occur as a result of trauma, teeth grinding, bite problems, or natural wear that occurs with age. They’re also an ideal option for whitening a patient’s smile, providing a long-lasting finish.
4) How is the application of veneers performed?
Veneers typically are applied on one of two ways, depending upon the material chosen. Composite resins are generally applied directly to the surface of the tooth and sculpted by the dentist, requiring only one visit to complete.
Porcelain veneers typically require two visits. In the first, an impression is taken of the teeth and sent to the laboratory where the veneers will be manufactured. The veneers will be applied using a dental cement in the second visit.
Regardless of the material chosen, your dentist will reduce and buff the teeth in preparation for the veneers.
5) What is the recovery like?
With porcelain veneers, there may be increased sensitivity in the reduced teeth during the period between the first and second visits.
6) Results
Veneers are durable and strong, and may actually improve the structure of teeth. Also, veneers don’t stain and don’t require any extra maintenance beyond normal good hygiene, and they usually last 5 to 15 years or more. Applying veneers is painless and can be completed in only 1 or 2 visits.
7) Are veneers approved for use in the USA?
Yes, dental veneers are approved for use in the U.S.
8) Are veneers covered by insurance companies?
Veneers are considered a cosmetic application, and are generally not covered by dental insurance plans.
9) Cost
Composite resin are about $250 per tooth; porcelain veneers generally range from $900 to $2,500 per tooth; and cerinate porcelain veneers, under the trade name Lumineers, cost about $700 to $1,000 per tooth.
