Veneers – Overview

Ideal Candidates

Dental veneers necessitate healthy original teeth; restorative and periodontal treatment must be completed before veneers are placed. A nighttime mouth guard may be necessary to protect the veneers from a patient’s grinding or clenching.

Procedure

Most dental veneer treatments occur in three appointments over a six week period. Initially, a tooth color is selected and the patient’s impression is taken for use in constructing a mouth model on which the veneers are formed.

During the second appointment, the patient’s teeth are minimally reshaped in preparation for veneer application. This often requires local anesthetic and an irreversible 0.5 mm tooth reduction which may cause temperature sensitivity before the veneer is placed. If desired, the dentist secures a temporary restoration which provides an extremely accurate visualization of the final result.

Veneer placement, evaluation, and adjustment occur with or without anesthetic during the third appointment. Using a specialized light to harden cement resin, the dentist secures the veneers to the patient’s natural teeth after which minimal reshaping may occur.

Temporary sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures may ensue for one or two weeks.

Post-Treatment

Veneers require routing brushing with a non-abrasive toothpaste, flossing, and regular dental appointments. For some individuals, a nighttime mouth guard may be necessary to protect the veneers from damage due to clenching or grinding.

Some patients experience post-operational sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures due to the minute removal of natural tooth enamel during the procedure. This sensitivity should diminish within one or two weeks of the treatment.

Although veneers withstand great compression, they have poor tensional strength. Simply avoiding activities that might exert such forces will protect the veneers from damage or breakage.

Cost of Dental Veneers

The cost of dental veneers is contingent upon several factors including the number of teeth treated and the material used. The price of each composite veneer ranges from $350 to $1,400 while porcelain veneers vary between $900 and $2,500 per tooth and last up to ten years longer.

While dental insurance rarely covers expenses associated with cosmetic procedures, Dr. Larson and his staff will gladly collaborate to develop the optimal treatment plan for your needs, schedule, and budget.

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