Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Michael E. Hrankowski on Porcelain Veneers
Dr. Michael E. Hrankowski is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Porcelain Veneers.
Q. What are porcelain veneers?
A. Think of them as ultra thin artificial "fingernails" for the teeth. They can be used to restore color, shape and length to a smile. They also can be used as "instant orthodontics" to visually correct for minor tooth crowding and/or malposition. See my website under before and after, patient.
Q. How long do dental veneers last?
A. Under ideal circumstances they may last 15-20+ years
Q. Do dental veneers require special care?
A. Being porcelain, acids can dull the appearance. Other than that, care for them as you would your natural teeth.
Q. Are there alternatives to dental veneers?
A. Depending on the problem you are asking the veneers to solve, there may be options. Some of them are: Bleaching, braces or Invisalign (invisible braces), direct bonding.
Q. Do Veneers look natural?
A. That depends upon the dentist doing the work and the porcelain artist who actually sculpts the veneer. When done with a high degree of skill, veneers can be indistinguishable from natural teeth. If they are not done well, they can look quite artificial.
Q. Does the veneer protect one’s tooth from decay?
A. NO! Tooth decay is a complex disease of bacterial origin. If someone is highly susceptible to this disease (i.e., they have the bacteria, in sufficient quantities in a mouth that is conducive) veneers will NOT protect the tooth from decay. People with a history of severe decay may not be candidates for veneers.
Q. What does a veneer cost?
A. It depends on the dentist doing the work, the cost of the laboratory (skilled porcelain artists are expensive) and the vision of the patient. They might range from $1,200 each for a basic, reasonably nice-looking result, all the way to $2,400 each if the patient has high esthetic expectations.
Q. How to contact Dr.Hrankowski if we have further questions?
A. Michael E. Hrankowski, DDS, PLLC
21810 76th Avenue West, Suite 102
Edmonds, WA 98026
