Dr. Sean Stephens is a Dentist who has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Porcelain Veneers.
Q. What are porcelain veneers?
A. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic artistically crafted and then bonded to your existing teeth to improve the color, shape or size of your teeth. A veneer generally covers only the front and top chewing edge of a tooth. Veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth, lengthen small or poorly shaped teeth or whiten dark/stained teeth.
Porcelain veneers can help you obtain a beautiful, natural looking smile.
Q. How long do dental veneers last?
A. The durability of veneers can vary depending upon a number of factors. Once veneers are bonded they virtually become a part of your own teeth. The bond is extremely strong. You can certainly expect that they will remain cosmetically pleasing and structurally sound for many years. It is unrealistic to expect that they will last forever. With good dental hygiene, and exercising good judgement porcelain veneers could last well in excess of 10 years.
Q. Do dental veneers require special care?
A. The lifespan of veneers can be influenced by the way you use and take care of your teeth. Generally you want to practice good oral hygiene and preferably use a non-abrasive tooth paste that contains fluoride. Proper care of your gums is critical to avoiding gum recession that can spoil the cosmetic appearance of a veneered tooth. Care should be made to avoid exposing your veneers to excessive forces. Biting on fingernails, hair pins, bottles, ice, or other hard items can damage or dislodge a veneer. Also, if you clench or grind your teeth a nightguard should be considered to protect your teeth and your investment in your smile.
Q. Are there alternatives to dental veneers?
A. Dental bonding with composite resin (tooth colored filling material), Braces, Invisalign, "gum" lift procedures, provisional "snap-0n" smiles and other options are some tools that can be used to improve your smile. Your dentist should be able to guide you as to what is most appropriate and beneficial for your individual case. Generally speaking, if you are happy with the color, size and shape of your teeth but don’t like your smile due to spaces or overlapping and crowding then orthodontics may be a nice alternative. You can make teeth appear longer or reduce a "gummy" smile with some surgical procedures and in certain cases orthodontics. Dental resin bonding is another restorative option, that can be placed in one day. Whatever your chief concern is there are usually many options to consider on each individual basis.
Q. Do veneers look natural?
A. Veneers can be made to look very natural and beautiful. At the same time, dental veneers are an art form customly crafted to fit your teeth. And like any art you want to make sure you are going to be happy with your investment. It is probably wise to ask your dentist to share some before and after photos of their own veneer cases to get a better feel for what to expect.
Q. Does the veneer protect one’s tooth from decay?
A. Your teeth can get decay whether you have dental veneers or not. Veneers are usually crafted to end near or at the gumline. It is still important to brush and floss. Particular attention should be made to clean around the gumline.
Q. What does a veneer cost?
A. The cost of porcelain veneers generally ranges from $700 to $2000 per tooth.
Q. How to contact Dr. Stephens if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
3588 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: (619) 497-0122
Email: drstephens@san-diego-cosmetic-dentist.com
Website: http://www.seanstephensdds.com/
