Porcelain Veneers

At Serene Smiles of Fredericksburg, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile highlights our days. Veneers can transform a smile dramatically, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated suddenly appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.

Veneers display the ultimate in dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. Like a contact lens, these paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But don't be fooled by the thin characteristics of this material. Many unique features can be incorporated into the ceramics, replicating any look you want to create.

While veneers provide a conservative way to repair bad teeth, the steps behind the process require a high level of training to produce accurately. So what's involved in bringing a smile like this to life?

Good Planning Paves The Way

Careful planning of your veneers is vital to a successful outcome. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dr. Zain to create a perfect blueprint to direct your case from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can't be compromised. He will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and a number of other factors.

The Next Steps

Once Dr. Zain plans your case, usually two appointments leave you with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted over by a master lab technician. Dr. Zain provides all the information to a specialized lab that's needed to create a masterpiece.

Dr. Zain also produce acrylic temporary restorations that mimic the veneers, worn for about three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and allow further input regarding the appearance of your upcoming smile.

Delivering The Magic

After hours of custom craftwork in the lab, you'll return for a second appointment. Dr. Zain will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. He will then go through several precise steps to bond the thin veneers to the outer surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find Serene Smiles of Fredericksburg!

 

Porcelain Veneers, Fredericksburg, VA: Frequently Asked Questions

  • A few things impact the cost of porcelain veneers. Fredericksburg, VA, cosmetic dentistry varies in cost, depending on the types of treatments you want.

    Implanting a porcelain dental veneer is a lengthy process with several stages involved and is at the higher end of dental care for cost and quality.

    Porcelain veneers cost Fredericksburg, VA, clients on average between $8000 and $9000 for a full set, but it depends on the individual case and its requirements. Speak to an expert in dental veneers at Serene Smiles of Fredericksburg for a more accurate quote for the smile of your dreams.

  • Fredericksburg, VA, residents who want a beautiful smile can choose between a range of dental veneers, but the two most common options are composite veneers and porcelain veneers. If you are planning to get veneers in Fredericksburg, it is important to know the differences and decide what one is best for you.

    Overall, porcelain veneers are the superior choice between the two because they last longer, are stain-resistant, and look more realistic. That said, let's take a closer look at the differences.

    • Composite resin veneers usually last up to five years, while porcelain lasts between 10 and 15 years.
    • Your teeth are susceptible to staining if you have composite resin veneers, but porcelain is designed to resist stains.
    • Dentists use a color chart to match composite veneers to your teeth with the closest hit, but veneers made from porcelain reflect the light to perfectly match the color of your natural teeth.
    • Some composite veneers can be applied with minimal enamel removal (sometimes none), but porcelains cannot.
    • Veneers made from composite resin are more vulnerable to chipping.
    • Composite veneers work for chipped, discolored, or slightly misaligned teeth, but more extensive dental issues are better covered with porcelain.

    To summarize, the porcelain veneer process leaves you with a stronger, more natural, longer-lasting perfect smile regardless of how damaged your teeth were before but they require a little more tooth enamel removal and preparation. They are also the more expensive option- since the quality is so much higher and they require more than one appointment.

    Composite veneers are more affordable and take less time to apply- plus they have the benefit of being easily removable with more of your natural enamel left. However, they are more likely to chip or stain and will not last as long.

  • Anyone who is unhappy with their smile can benefit from getting porcelain veneers. Your smile is one of the first things people notice, and it has the power to boost your confidence or dull your shine.

    Whether you have stained teeth, misshapen teeth, misaligned teeth, tooth damage, gaps between teeth, or anything that you don't like when you look at your smile in the mirror, porcelain veneers can change it.

    If you want a straighter, brighter smile that will last for years, then porcelain veneers could be for you!

  • Traditional veneers have more to do with the procedure and fit than the materials. You get traditional porcelain veneers and traditional composite resin veneers, then you have variations that are more complex or less invasive.

  • How much tooth preparation your procedure will require depends on the condition of your teeth to begin with. The mouth is thoroughly cleaned, and the teeth that will be getting veneer covers have a cord implanted to pull the gum line away from the tooth surface before an impression is made using putty or paste.

    In general, damaged teeth or misshapen teeth will have a layer of enamel removed- roughly the same width as the thin shells of the veneers. If there is any decay within the tooth, that will also be removed.

  • You can follow the same oral hygiene routine that is recommended for normal teeth. It is a good idea to use non-abrasive toothpaste and a dentist-approved toothbrush, as well as wearing a night guard to protect them while you sleep.

    Generally speaking, once your veneers are on, you can continue life as normal. It is in your best interest to maintain a high level of oral care to get the best from your smile for longer.

  • Porcelain veneers are removable, but depending on the amount of tooth enamel that had to be removed to achieve the desired look, your natural teeth may need replaced or otherwise covered afterward.

    Always speak to a dental veneer expert before having them removed, and never attempt to do it by yourself.