Is there something you don’t like about your smile? Whether you have one chipped tooth, a few stained teeth, or numerous dental imperfections, flaws in your smile can make you feel self-conscious. At Crestwood Dental Clinic, we offer a variety of cosmetic services that can help you improve the way your pearly whites look. One of the best ways we can help you achieve the dazzling and bright smile you deserve is with custom-made veneers in Medicine Hat! Read on to learn more about this popular cosmetic treatment and give us a call today to schedule your consultation.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a great alternative for remedying dull, discoloured, misshapen, chipped, gapped, or crooked teeth. Made of thin layers of porcelain, veneers are laid over the frontward-facing surface of your teeth to improve upon their appearance. The number of veneers needed depends upon how many teeth you need to be repaired. Porcelain veneers can be used to restore one or multiple teeth, with the end goal of improving the appearance of your entire smile.
Regardless of how many you get, each veneer is custom-made to look just like a natural tooth. We’ll choose a shade of dental porcelain that matches the color of your natural enamel for seamless results. Additionally, dental porcelain is well-known for how much it resembles healthy tooth enamel, down to the way it reflects light. Once in place, your veneers will be virtually indistinguishable from the rest of your smile.
The Process of Getting Veneers
If you are interested in getting veneers, the first step is to come see us for a consultation. Your Medicine Hat, Alberta cosmetic dentist will discuss your smile goals with you and evaluate your oral health to determine if veneers are the best way to achieve the results you’re looking for. Next, we’ll plan out your treatment with you, including how many veneers you’ll need. Then, we’ll etch the appointed tooth or teeth to make room for the veneers. Impressions will be taken and sent to a local dental lab to create your permanent, custom-made veneers.
While your permanent veneers are being fabricated, temporary veneers will be put in place to keep your smile comfortable and safe. Be mindful of them, as they are very fragile and are only there for a brief time. Upon your next visit, we will remove the temporary veneers and replace them with your new permanent ones. After checking that your bite feels comfortable and that you’re pleased with the results, you’ll be ready to go out and show off your new smile to the world!
Benefits of Veneers
Veneers offer several excellent benefits, such as:
- A comprehensive and versatile solution for dental flaws
- Beautiful and natural-looking appearance
- Stain-resistant and chip-resistant
- A relatively fast and easy process to dramatically improve your smile
- Beautiful results that can last for 15 years or more with the proper care
Caring for Your Veneers
Veneers should be cared for regularly just like your natural teeth. Be vigilant with your daily oral health care routine and be careful when biting into certain hard or sticky foods. To protect your new veneers, you’ll be instructed to wear an athletic sportsguard if you play sports or a nightguard if you have bruxism. You’ll also need to brush for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste. You’ll also need to floss with high-quality waxed floss often and visit us every six months for routine checkups.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Veneers are an excellent way to transform numerous aspects of your smile at the same time, but they aren’t the right option for everyone. To determine whether or not veneers are the solution for you, it’s important that you explore all of your options and have a thorough understanding of the cost. Read on to learn more about your cosmetic treatment options so you can make the best decision for your smile.
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
For many patients, veneers immediately seem like the ideal option, but you should take a look at all the cosmetic treatments available to see how much each one would affect your smile. They have a variety of price points and help patients to achieve numerous outcomes. Here are some of the most common solutions available:
- Braces/Invisalign – Braces and Invisalign can straighten teeth in dramatic ways, but they can cost several thousands of dollars. They’re a big-time investment and don’t help with recoloring or reshaping teeth, but they are an ideal solution for misalignment.
- Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening is a quick solution to surface discoloration, and it is much more affordable than other cosmetic options. Results can last anywhere between a couple of months and several years depending on how well you care for them.
- Veneers – Veneers may not be the cheapest option out there, but they are one of the easiest ways to transform numerous aspects of your smile at the same time. The whole process can be completed in as few as two appointments and lasts up to 15 years or longer with proper maintenance.
There are numerous factors that will contribute to the cost of veneers, so it’s nearly impossible to make an estimate before you see us. To determine the exact cost of your veneers, schedule a consultation with us. We’re eager to help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
As one of the most advanced cosmetic procedures you can get, veneers can seem a little complicated at first, so don’t worry if you have questions about them. Our team would be happy to address your questions and concerns during your consultation, but we’ve also answered some of the most common ones here for your convenience. Please read our responses below and let us know if you need additional information or clarification about porcelain veneers in Medicine Hat.
Is Getting Veneers Painful?
To make room for the veneers, our team will need to take off a little bit of enamel from the front surface of your teeth. Otherwise, the veneers wouldn’t look nearly as natural! To ensure your comfort throughout the entire process, we’ll give you a local anesthetic, which means you shouldn’t feel any pain. You may have some sensitivity once the anesthetic wears off because although the temporary veneers should protect your teeth, they are not custom, so your teeth could come in contact with cold, hot, or sugary substances.
How Long Does the Veneers Process Take?
Overall, the entire veneers treatment usually takes several weeks, but the exact timeline may vary depending on your case. During the first appointment, we prepare your teeth and take dental impressions for your custom veneers, and the dental lab needs this time to fabricate them to fit your unique mouth. When you meet with us, we can discuss the process in greater detail so you know what to expect moving forward.
Am I a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
If you want to qualify for porcelain veneers, you have to meet one requirement: your mouth must be completely healthy. In other words, you cannot have a gum infection, cavity, or other oral condition. Should you have one of these obstacles, we must first fix the problem before considering cosmetic treatment. Once the issue is resolved and your mouth is healthy, we can then think about porcelain veneers to create your dream smile.
Is There a Special Diet I Need to Follow with Porcelain Veneers?
Not necessarily. While you wear your temporary veneers, you may want to stay away from overly sweet, hot, or cold foods and drinks because of the possibility of sensitivity. You should also avoid hard or crunchy foods that could dislodge the temporaries. Once your permanent, custom veneers are in place, you can eat a normal diet. However, you shouldn’t chew ice or other hard objects like pencils or popcorn kernels. Veneers are durable, but you shouldn’t take unnecessary risks!