What is a veneer?
Veneers are quickly becoming the treatment of choice for people wanting to improve the look of their smile. Veneers are not just for the famous or people featured on television makeover shows, such as The Learning Channels “A Makeover Story” or ABC’s “Extreme Makeover”. Many of the patients in our Cincinnati dental office are asking for veneers because they can dramatically improve the person’s smile in several short visits.
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made covering that conceals the front and side surfaces of a tooth, much like a mask or an artificial fingernail. But unlike a fingernail, veneers are made of a very durable ceramic material that actually strengthens a tooth. With proper maintenance, veneers often last a lifetime.
Veneers are versatile; they can correct stains, breaks, and odd shapes, and they can lengthen individual teeth. Porcelain veneers, however, aren’t ideal for people with severe bite problems or for those who grind their teeth – a habit that can break the veneer.
What to expect when getting veneers
The Procedure often requires two or more visits to the office. The first visit lasts 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the number of teeth prepared. First, tooth enamel is removed so the veneer will blend with surrounding teeth and won’t overbuild your teeth. Then an impression is taken and you are fitted with a temporary covering for your teeth.
Between Visits
Next, Dr. Omeltschenko sends your impression and color recommendation to the dental laboratory making your veneers. Expect to wait a few weeks between appointments while the lab work is being done. Be careful when cleaning your teeth or eating, because your temporary covering can loosen.
Bonding Your Veneer
On the second visit, which should last an hour or less, Dr. Omeltschenko will fit the veneers onto the prepared teeth. You may need to receive anesthesia if your teeth are sensitive. At this time you should make any final changes to the veneers, including shape, fit, size and color. (If you make changes in color or major changes to the size, these additional adjustments will need to be made by the lab, which will take additional time.) Then, the veneers are bonded to your tooth.
How much do veneers cost?
While dentist’s fees vary, in Cincinnati the average price range for a veneer is between $900 – $1,500 per tooth.