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. Fredrick R. Lewcock on Porcelain Veneers
Dr. Fredrick R. Lewcock is a dentist and has answered some common questions bizymoms visitors have about Porcelain Veneers.
Q. What are porcelain veneers?
A. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They are an excellent choice to improve teeth that are stained, crooked, worn or have gaps. Veneers can give you straighter, whiter, and more even looking teeth.
Q. How long to dental veneers last?
A. The length of time varies depending on a person’s bite, chewing habits, and oral hygiene habits. Between 10 and 15 years is the general amount of time a veneer would last.
Q. Do dental veneers require special care?
A. In general, veneers do very well with normal daily function. However, caution needs to be exercised when chewing very hard pieces of food which can lead to chipping of the porcelain. In many cases, a night time bite guard is fabricated to help protect the veneers.
Q. Are there alternatives to dental veneers?
A. There are several alternatives depending on the severity of the situation or the esthetic desires of the patient. Sometimes whitening or tooth colored fillings can be done to improve the appearance of the smile. Orthodontics is another option that enables the patient to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth. Composite resin bonded veneers are an additional option that helps accomplish the same goals as porcelain veneers however at a reduced cost. The composite veneers are done with the same material as the tooth colored fillings. The main disadvantage of composite veneers is that these restorations lack the vitality and natural beauty accomplished with the porcelain veneer.
Q. Do Veneers look natural?
A. Veneers can look extremely natural and even undetectable when done properly and with care.
Q. Does the veneer protect one’s tooth from decay?
A. Veneers can prevent decay on the bonded surface of the teeth however they do not have the ability to protect from decay on the other surfaces of the teeth. Excellent oral hygiene still needs to be practiced to ensure long term success of the veneer.
Q. What does a veneer cost?
A. The cost of a veneer ranges from $1000-1500 per tooth.
Q. How can we contact Dr. Lewcock if we have further questions?
A. Dr. Lewcock can be contacted at his office at 512-310-2444 or by email at info@oldsettlersdental.com.
