English 
Spanish Many people are self-conscious about their smiles, frequently covering their teeth when they laugh or opting for closed-mouth smiles in photos. But having a beautiful smile has important social and emotional impacts. For one, it can boost your self-esteem, giving you the confidence to live your desired lifestyle. A great smile also affects the people around you. Studies have shown that people with dazzling smiles are seen as friendlier and more approachable. While we offer many different cosmetic treatments at Happy Smiles Family Dentistry, if you’re looking to dramatically enhance your smile in a short period of time, porcelain veneers are a great option.
Understanding Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells that we cement to the front of your teeth. They are designed to hide imperfections and create a dazzling, uniform smile. Veneers can be made of a composite material, but porcelain veneers are more durable and stain-resistant. For the veneers to sit flush with the rest of your teeth, we need to remove some enamel before placing them. This makes getting veneers a non-reversible process, as tooth enamel doesn’t grow back like other cell structures in the body. However, porcelain veneers are durable, and with proper care, they can last you 15-20 years or more.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Anybody who wants to improve their smile and self-confidence is a good candidate for veneers. However, you do have to be free from any oral health issues like cavities or gum disease first.
Veneers can mask many dental imperfections:
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Gaps between your teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Teeth that are too small
- Stained teeth, especially when tooth whitening isn’t enough
Alternatively, if your main goal is to straighten your teeth, braces or Invisalign® may be better treatment options.
The Process
The process of getting veneers is relatively straightforward.
- Initial visit: Before making any decision, we’ll need to ensure you’re in good oral health and will take the time to answer any questions you may have. Dr. Aristodemo and her experienced staff can examine your mouth and explain the process, clarifying costs and financing opportunities.
- Enamel removal: For the veneers to sit perfectly in line with the rest of your teeth, we must make room by removing some enamel. This process is relatively painless, but we can apply a local anesthetic or employ other ways to reduce dental anxiety if you are especially nervous.
- Create a mold: Our experienced staff will take a mold of your teeth to create your custom veneers. We’ll send the mold to a dental lab, where your custom veneers will be crafted.
- Temporary veneers: In the meantime, we’ll give you a set of temporary veneers. This “trial smile” will give you time to get used to the feeling and look of your new teeth.
- Final application: Once the lab finishes your custom veneers, we’ll remove the temporary set and carefully cement the final set to your teeth. With this final step, your brand-new smile is complete!
The Cost of Porcelain Veneers
We understand that cost can be a concern with any dental procedure. However, at Happy Smiles Family Dentistry, we strive to make dental transformations affordable. We don’t want financial stress to get in the way of your health and happiness.
The final cost of porcelain veneers is influenced by the complexity of your dental requirements, the quality of the materials chosen, and the number of veneers you need. These elements together determine the overall investment in achieving your desired smile.
While purely cosmetic procedures aren’t usually covered by insurance, we partner with three lending companies to offer payment plans that fit any budget. Our in-office discount plan is another option, giving you savings on procedures throughout the year.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Are you tired of worrying about imperfections in your teeth and wish you could achieve the smile of your dreams? With porcelain veneers, you can! Dr. Aristodemo and the Happy Smiles Family Dentistry team are here to help you through the process so that you can smile proudly. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a radiant smile.
