Do you have chipped, discolored, crooked, or ‘ugly’ teeth?
Does it make it hard for you to smile without feeling embarrassed?
Well, fear no more because we have a solution that we like to call ‘dental veneers!’ But before we get to how much veneers cost or who the best veneers dentist is (It’s Springfield Gentle Dental btw), let’s first look into what veneers are actually supposed to be. Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells that are made to custom fit over your teeth or tooth. You can get veneers for individual teeth as well as rows of six to eight teeth. They are generally made from porcelain or composite resin with porcelain being the better option. Veneers are most commonly used on the top front eight teeth and are often permanently bonded to your teeth.
Veneers can be applied to correct different dental or cosmetic issues, such as:
- Chipped teeth
- Stained teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Broken teeth
- Smaller than average teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Crooked teeth
The application of veneers usually starts with removing some portion of tooth enamel to create more of a natural appearance. So, now you won’t have to cover your mouth when you smile or laugh. The smile of your dreams is within your reach because dental veneers can help correct your teeth.
Types of Dental Veneers
The answer to ‘how much do dental veneers cost?’ depends directly on the type of veneer being used. Veneers are usually made of composite resin or porcelain but these require intensive prep before adhesion. However, there are also non-prep versions available. The traditional type of veneer is applied by first removing some portion of the tooth enable and sometimes even some part beyond that, to create space for the veneer. This allows for proper placement and adhesion but is painful and irreversible. Your veneers dentist might even need to put you under anesthesia. However, the no-prep veneers are applied differently. They might require some modifications but only minor.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are- you guessed it, made of porcelain! They can be matched to the color of your natural teeth and even exhibit the light reflecting properties of actual teeth. These are preferred because they resist much better than composite resin veneers. To apply a porcelain veneer, your veneers dentist will typically grind down your teeth, make an impression and create a mold, and then send that mold for the veneer to be custom-made. And when it’s ready, they’ll place it right inside your mouth. You might need to use a temporary veneer while the veneer is being prepared, though. On the other hand, some veneers dentists also use CAD/CAM technology to design the veneer right there and then.
Composite Resin Veneers
If your veneers dentist recommends this type of veneer, they will etch the surface of your tooth and apply a thin layer of the composite resin on your teeth. Additional layers may be added as necessary to achieve the desired look. And of course, finishing will involve curing or hardening with a special light.
No-Prep Veneers
No-prep veneers, as the name suggests, skip the prep part of the veneer application which also means they are less invasive and less time-consuming. They are usually available from specific brands like Vivaneers and Lumineers. When applying these veneers, your veneers dentist will not need to remove any layers of the tooth. Thus, they only affect your enamel. Plus, of course, they also don’t require any temporary veneers or local anesthetics.
Which Type of Veneer is the Best?
There is no direct answer to what the best veneer is because it would depend on your specific case. In order to decide which veneer would work best for you, you will need to consider several factors, including:
- Longevity
- Installation process
- Cost
- Appearance
Of course, your veneers dentist can make the best recommendations after evaluating or assessing your case. If you’re confused about which veneers to get, you can reach out to the Springfield Gentle Dental team.
Porcelain vs Resin Veneers
Porcelain veneers are stronger and last longer, so they are generally considered to be better. However, this also means that they are more expensive. Nevertheless, resin-based veneers only require one visit to the dentist while porcelain veneers can take more than one visit for complete installation. Plus, though resin-based veneers are more easily damaged, they are also easier to fix. And porcelain veneers stain much more easily. Hence, your dentist can make the best suggestions regarding the type of veneers you should opt for.
Veneers vs Crowns vs Implants
Veneers are not like crowns or implants because they only cover the front surface of the tooth while the crown actually encases the whole tooth. Veneers are also around 1 mm compared to 2 mm crowns, and thus, they are much tinner as well. Not to mention, veneer installation is not as invasive as crown installation. An implant, on the other hand, is installed inside your bone to replace missing teeth, and crowns are typically placed over them. Usually, after the implant is placed, your mouth will need some time to heal from it before your dentist installs the crown. But in any case, they are very different from a veneer.
How Much do Veneers Cost?
Unfortunately, veneers aren’t covered by insurance because they are a cosmetic procedure- so, a luxury not a necessity. But if you need veneers to restore tooth structure or replace a pre-existing, damaged veneer, your insurance plan might cover a portion of the cost. As per the American Dental Association, the price of veneer installation is usually between $925 and $2500 for one tooth. Resin-based veneers, though, will cost around $400 to $2000 per tooth, and will also need to be replaced after every 5 to 7 years or so. Therefore, porcelain or traditional veneers are usually the most cost-effective option in the longer term. Still, there is no exact figure to define the price of veneers because it will depend on the type, available brand, and your veneers dentist, of course. So, if you visit a dental student facility, you will probably get your veneers a lot cheaper.
Moreover, if additional dental procedures like contouring, numerous visits, or several veneers are required, you will have to pay more. As for a full set of porcelain veneers for six to eight teeth, you will have to pay somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000. A set is not an arch for the whole row and since back teeth are not really visible, they’re not treated via this method. And of course, you can expect to pay a lot less for resin-based veneers but since they are not as durable, you’re better off with porcelain. If maintained properly, porcelain veneers can even last up to 15 years.
Benefits of Getting Veneers
The most obvious advantage of veneers is that they can help you improve the appearance of your teeth. They can also help you treat broken and chipped teeth, gaps, severe discoloration, and other teeth problems. Thus, they can help you improve your smile so that you are more confident. Plus, since they last for a really long time, you can consider it a semi-permanent, and hence, worthwhile, investment. Nevertheless, veneers are not going to protect your teeth from decay or damage, so make sure to maintain good oral hygiene.
How to Care for Dental Veneers?
Your veneers dentist will guide you about the specific protocol to care for newly installed veneers. You see, the durability and longevity of your veneers will also depend on how well you care for them. Excellent oral hygiene is obviously a must. But porcelain is glass which means it will shatter if extreme pressure is applied. So, don’t try to open a bottle cap with your mouth, chew ice, grind your teeth together, or even bite your fingernails, unless you want to damage your veneers- which you obviously don’t. Fortunately, though, the recovery phase after veneer installation is not very extensive and you can start to eat and chew normally almost as soon as the anesthesia wears off.
Some general guidelines to follow include:
- Don’t chew with your front teeth, especially if the food in question is hard.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
- Don’t open packaging with your teeth.
- Don’t bite your fingernails or grind your teeth.
- Invest in a mouth guard or retainer to protect your veneers if you’re in the habit of teeth clenching.
What’s the Takeaway?
Dental veneers are an incredible invention in the sense that they can completely transform your smile. They are applied as a thin layer over your natural teeth and act as an aesthetic cover. There are several types to choose from- including porcelain, resin, and non-prep, and a veneers dentist can recommend the most suitable option for your specific situation. As a general rule, though, porcelain veneers are considered the best option since they last longer. But then there’s also the question of ‘how much do veneers cost?’ and though porcelain veneers are more expensive, they are better in the longer run. But regardless, of the type of veneer installed, you should take proper precautions to ensure you don’t damage your veneers in any way.
So, if you have any questions about veneers or where to get them, contact the Springfield Gentle Dental team to have your questions answered and your problems solved (those related to teeth, at least)!