Veneers – Southlake, TX
Your Complete Smile Makeover
Dental flaws can sometimes get pretty serious. For instance, teeth might suffer from stains, chips, and cracks all at once! In such cases, it’s easy to think there isn’t a way to fix your problem. The truth, though, is that your cosmetic dentist has one: veneers in Southlake! As placed by Dr. Pettigrew , these shells can give your smile a total makeover in just two visits. To learn more about them and their abilities, keep reading or call our office for the details.
What are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin, porcelain shells applied to the fronts of teeth. Dentists use them to hide a wide variety of smile flaws — chips, cracks, fractures, etc. In fact, the treatment can even cover up dental misalignments. It’s thus sometimes called “instant orthodontics.”
Since they’re made of porcelain, veneers help a treated tooth look natural and lifelike. After all, their material is customized to match your other teeth in color, size, and more. The prosthetics thus blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile! It’s to the point that many patients consider them highly popular and versatile.
The Process of Getting Veneers
When getting veneers, Dr. Pettigrew will start things off with a consultation. Namely, he’ll ask you about your situation, desired results, medical history, etc. Doing so ensures your final treatment best suits your needs.
Once you and Dr. Pettigrew settle on the outcome, he’ll prep your teeth for the veneers. Keep in mind that this process removes a tiny portion of your enamel. That way, there’ll be room for the veneers to fit. From there, he’ll take an impression and send it to a lab to create your prosthetics. The visit will end with him fitting temporary veneers onto your teeth; these will let you “test drive” your smile.
For the “final placement” visit, Dr. Pettigrew will bond the final veneers to your teeth with special cement. Following some last-minute adjustments, you’ll be done!
The Benefits of Veneers
Given their features, veneers have many benefits to offer. Among them, the most common ones are:
- A Beautiful Smile: As mentioned before, porcelain veneers match up with your surrounding teeth. They thus look so lifelike that most people can’t tell a patient has them.
- Stain Resistance: Besides being beautiful, the porcelain used in veneers is highly stain-resistant. That means treated teeth better withstand staining agents — coffee, wine, berries, tomato sauce, and more.
- Versatility: Veneers work as a solution to tooth chips, cracks, stains, and even misalignments. With this versatility, you can trust them to transform all aspects of your smile.
- Long Lifespan: Given proper care, veneers can make your smile pretty for a long while. Their average lifespan, in fact, is over 15 years!
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Do you want to learn more about the cost of veneers before committing? Don’t worry – our Southlake dental team is here to help! At your initial consultation with Dr. Pettigrew, we will learn all about your smile goals, including what dental imperfections you’d like to fix and what aspects make up a gorgeous grin to you. Then, we will work on your treatment plan and pinpoint the cost. In the meantime, you’re welcome to read on; we’re covering additional information related to the cost right here.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?
At your consultation, we’ll learn all about what inspired you to pursue a smile makeover. Was it a noticeable chip? Was it significant discoloration? Whatever the case may be, we will review all of the cosmetic dental services that can help, including veneers. For now, here’s some helpful information to keep in mind when considering the cost of each:
- Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening can safely and effectively eliminate dental discoloration while preserving the health of your teeth and gums. Fortunately, the price is also more affordable, but if you’re struggling with permanent stains, we’ll need to consider a different approach, like veneers.
- Direct Bonding – Direct bonding is hands down one of the most cost-effective treatments upfront. Plus, the entire treatment process is quick – it can usually be completed in just one appointment! The only “con” to consider is that the results don’t usually last more than a few years at a time.
- Veneers – Veneers are typically more expensive than the other cosmetic dental services we listed. However, there are also several unique benefits, including a 10+ year lifespan if you take care of them properly. Furthermore, they can fix multiple dental imperfections at once – no need for back-to-back treatments!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Since dental insurance providers don’t typically cover the cost of veneers, you might be wondering if there is a way to make the price more affordable. The answer is “yes!” Our Southlake dental team is proud to welcome CareCredit, a trusted third-party financier. With their payment plans, you can space out your payments into manageable chunks instead of having to pay for the entire cost of veneers at once. There are even options with little-to-no interest attached, so don’t hesitate to take a look at the options available to you or ask our team for help!
Veneers FAQs
Veneers in Southlake are a great option to fix many issues quickly. Although you’ll achieve a picture-perfect smile, they are a big commitment. Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew will explain everything during your consultation and address any apprehensions. You can also find the answers to the most frequently asked questions below or feel free to contact our office to speak with a member of our team.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Unfortunately, veneers aren’t permanent because they need to be replaced, eventually. However, they provide long-lasting results with the correct care. Be aware that the procedure isn’t reversible because your cosmetic dentist in Southlake must remove some enamel to prepare your teeth for veneers. Although this doesn’t harm your teeth, your enamel won’t grow back if they are removed. Your teeth will be vulnerable to bacteria, sensitivity, and damage if they aren’t always covered by restorations.
Do Veneers Make Your Teeth Sensitive?
While you will sacrifice some enamel, veneers won’t cause tooth sensitivity. In fact, veneers can be recommended for patients with a history of sensitivity because they provide a barrier over teeth to reduce uncomfortable sensations.
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
A veneer is applied to a tooth to enhance its size, shape, and color, but the goal of the procedure is to improve your smile as a whole. Therefore, Dr. Pettigrew will recommend applying them to the teeth that show when you smile for seamless results. Since every mouth is unique, there’s no way of knowing how many you’ll need until after your consultation. Some patients only need 4 or 6, but other people may require 8 or more.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The average lifespan of a veneer is about 10 years, but it’s not unusual for them to last for much longer. Many factors will affect the duration of your results. You can get the most from your investment by practicing good oral hygiene. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching your restorations. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice daily and floss every day. Break any habits that can damage your veneers, like chewing on your fingernails. Limit hard and sticky foods. Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports. Don’t forget to visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup.
Can Veneers Get Cavities?
Veneers can’t get cavities, but your underlying and remaining teeth are still vulnerable to decay. Cavity-causing bacteria can gain access to your tooth through small cracks that form in the dental cement over time. You can promote a cavity-free smile with good oral hygiene and regular dental care. Limit your consumption of sugars and starches.