Porcelain Veneers – Westhampton, NY

Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right For Me?

As one of the most versatile treatments in dentistry, veneers can correct many types of flaws that otherwise would need to be addressed with various other procedures. Especially if you have more than one type of imperfection, veneers could be a more efficient and cost effective option!

• Braces—If your teeth are only slightly misaligned, veneers can instantly correct the problem, sparing you months of treatment and even some money!
• Teeth Whitening—While teeth whitening tends to cost less than veneers, your smile may need additional treatment on top of whitening. Veneers address multiple flaws all at once.
• Direct Bonding—This treatment achieves many of the same issues as veneers for less overall cost, but it does not last as long and isn’t as durable. To make the best decision for your smile, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of each of these treatments.
• Veneers—Compared to other cosmetic treatments, veneers may cost more, but they usually end up providing the longest lasting, most realistic looking results.

How to Make Veneers Affordable

Although your insurance probably doesn’t apply to veneers, our team at Beach Dental provides other ways to lighten the burden of paying for treatment. To start, we have a plan for those who do not have insurance benefits, called the Patient Loyalty Plan. This includes a certain discount on most services, such as veneers. We are also currently offering a complimentary cosmetic consultation, which means you don’t pay for the first appointment where we examine you and talk about your treatment options. Finally, third-party financing is available through CareCredit, which breaks down the overall cost into smaller monthly payments.

Is It Painful to Get Veneers?

Part of the process is removing a portion of enamel from the front surface of the tooth. Depending on how close to the inner layers of the tooth we come, it could potentially be an uncomfortable experience, which is why, most of the time, we administer a local anesthetic. Throughout the procedure, you shouldn’t feel anything. With temporary veneers, you may have some mild sensitivity, but your permanent veneers are designed to adequately cover the front side of your teeth for protection against sensitivity.

Are There Any Diet Restrictions with Veneers?

When the temporary veneers are attached, they are meant to stay in place for a limited time. As a result, you should probably avoid eating overly sticky or gummy foods, which could cause the veneers to come off. Along the same lines, you may also want to stay away from excessively hard foods like chips or certain nuts. However, once your permanent, custom veneers have been bonded onto your teeth, you can treat them just as you would your real enamel and eat whatever you want basically. Just keep in mind that, although the veneers are more durable and stain resistant than natural teeth, they too can discolor and wear down over time. The easier you are on your veneers, the longer they are likely to last.

Do Veneers Feel Natural?

Depending on the changes the veneers make to your smile, they may feel a little different at first. In rare cases, they can even cause a temporary lisp. However, most patients report that veneers feel completely comfortable and realistic. Give yourself a bit of time to adjust to your veneers, but definitely let us know if anything still feels off or wrong after a few days, so we can make any necessary changes.

Can You Whiten Veneers?

The porcelain material used to create veneers does not respond to the active whitening ingredients. As a result, we strongly recommend whitening your teeth prior to getting veneers so that they match in color for as long as possible. Over the course of time, you may see your veneers start to fade or discolor; unfortunately, there isn’t really a way to reverse the discoloration once it sets in, meaning that the veneers will need to be replaced to give you back the brilliant white you want.

How Long Does Getting Veneers Take?

From beginning to end, getting veneers usually requires two separate appointments and is completed in a few weeks. The dental lab needs that time to fabricate your custom, lifelike veneers and make them look realistic. Otherwise, others will be able to identify the façade. However, when veneers are carefully crafted and personalized to your unique mouth, they look like they belong and don’t draw the wrong kind of attention.

Should I Choose Teeth Whitening or Veneers?

For most teeth in need of brightening, whitening treatment can remove yellow or dull stains. If that is the only change you’d like to make to your teeth and it works, then you don’t need to consider making a permanent alteration to your teeth with veneers. However, some kinds of stains, called intrinsic discoloration, do not respond to the active ingredients of teeth whitening treatment because of certain medications and other causes. In this case, veneers can cover these teeth and help you achieve the brilliant results you want to see.

Should I Choose Invisalign or Veneers?

Only impacting the front-facing surface, veneers can be used on mild misalignment only. In other words, it can work for teeth that require very little adjustment to be perfectly straight. In fact, the entire process usually takes just a few weeks. More advanced shifting of teeth will involve moving teeth with Invisalign clear aligners over the course of up to 18 months. Our highly trained team can recommend the ideal treatment for you based on an examination in person. We can weigh the pros and cons of each treatment and help you decide on the one that will best meet your needs.

How Can I Tell If My Veneers Need to Be Replaced?

Although veneers are extremely strong and durable, they can show signs of wear over the years. For instance, if they start to look more dull or yellow, or if they chip or come off completely, it’s time to contact our team and have your veneers replaced with new ones. When you come in for your regular checkups and cleanings, we will watch out for common signs that your veneers are showing their age. As a result, we can stay on top of them and keep your smile consistently perfect.