QUESTIONS ABOUT VENEERS
(To advance directly to the questions that interest you, click on the list below)
1. Are Veneers covered by insurance?
2. Will it hurt?
3. How long does it take?
4. How will my teeth look between the two visits?
5. How many teeth do I need done?
6. If just my upper teeth are done, won't my bottom teeth
look strange or as if they don't match?
7. Are there any risks to tooth structure?
8. What does a veneer cost?
9. Does the veneer protect your tooth from decay?
10. How long will a veneer last?
Q. Are Veneers covered by insurance?
A. Generally no. In most instances it is considered an elective treatment
and therefore not covered. Some plans may allow for veneer treatment in
special circumstances.
Q. Will it hurt?
A. No. During the procedure you should experience no discomfort. The
area is frozen (we do it painlessly) and other than having to open your
mouth for a period of time, there is no pain involved. After the first
visit a patient can experience a slight degree of discomfort, but nothing
that couldn't be handled with ordinary Aspirin or Tylenol. Of all the
cosmetic treatment a person can undergo, this is the least uncomfortable
and results are immediate.
Q. How long does it take?
A. It takes just two visits for the entire procedure. The visits are
lengthy, several hours each. At our office we provide VR glasses that
allow you to watch a movie while the procedure is done. Patients find
the experience relaxing and generally enjoyable.
Q. How will my teeth look between the two visits?
A. In the first visit we do the necessary preparatory work and create
a provisional or temporary installation that comes as close as possible
to the look we will be working to achieve. Your smile always looks better
after the first visit and after the second visit it will look great. Unlike
other forms of cosmetic treatment, there is no healing time at all.
Q. How many teeth do I need done?
A. That varies from patient to patient. If you look in a mirror when
you smile, see how many teeth actually show. You should keep in mind that
people often smile wider when they have no concerns about the look of
their teeth. For many patients it may be six teeth, for some eight and
for others more.
Q. If just my upper teeth are done, won't my bottom
teeth look strange or as if they don't match?
A. That also depends on the patient and how they smile. Usually the
bottom teeth are only partially visible and don't need to be addressed.
In cases where the lower teeth are more visible whitening is usually enough
to handle any contrast. In some situations, both upper and lower teeth
need to be done. We have also had some patients opt to have both uppers
and lowers done because they wanted a complete change.
Q. Are there any risks to tooth structure?
A. Generally no, although there can always be an exception. The procedure
is not reversible and approximately one half of a millimeter or less is
removed from the tooth to make room for the veneer. The porcelain veneer
that replaces the removed surface is incredibly strong, bonds tightly
to the tooth and protects the treated area. The amount of tooth removed
is significantly less than the amount removed for any ordinary cap or
crown. There is always risk in any procedure, but this treatment method
has been proven to be extremely reliable.
Q. What does a veneer cost?
A. The cost of one porcelain veneer is approximately the same as that
for a crown.
Q. Does the veneer protect your tooth from decay?
A. No. The veneer itself will not decay, and the surrounding tooth
is no more prone to decay than any of the surrounding teeth. Good oral
hygiene will prevent any decay from occurring.
Q. How long will a veneer last?
A. The official guarantee is fifteen years. That is the same time
given for how long a crown will last, however we have many patients with
crowns that are decades old.
If you have any other questions about veneers or other dental questions,
please feel free to call our office. We will work to answer all of your
questions.
Call: 1 (860) 668-0241
