Here in Southern California, a beautiful smile is a valuable commodity. No wonder so many people opt to have their smiles perfected with porcelain veneers. Not only Hollywood celebrities choose veneers to enhance the look of their smiles, but also people from all walks of life have these dental wonders to thank for their good-looking teeth and elevated sense of self-confidence. If you’d like to consider porcelain veneers in Calimesa, then come speak to Dr. Parker. He will analyze the condition of your teeth and together the two of you will plan a smile that is worthy of the red carpet!
Porcelain veneers go by a few names—dental veneers or just veneers, for example. Regardless of what you call them, they really can do wonders for your smile. Made of micro-thin layers of top-quality dental porcelain, veneers are coverings for your smile teeth, usually the ones right up front that people see most when you talk, laugh, grin or eat. Because veneers only cover your natural teeth, maintaining good oral hygiene remains a priority. Brushing twice a day with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily will help ensure the longevity of your veneers and the health of all the teeth in your mouth—both those with and without porcelain veneers.
Because porcelain veneers are attached to the facial side of teeth at the front of your mouth, they can be used to hide a range of flaws. For example, veneers conceal teeth that are chipped, cracked or broken. In addition, a porcelain veneer can make a small tooth look larger or a crooked one appear to be straight. Similarly, veneers can be used to close gaps between teeth that are unevenly spaced.
As with any cosmetic dentistry procedure, Dr. Parker will first examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are healthy enough to support porcelain veneers. Restorative care, such as filling a cavity or treating gum disease, will need to take place before the veneer process can begin.
Once the health of your smile is assured, you and Dr. Parker can begin planning your new smile. Feel free to mention specific concerns or your idea of the perfect smile. In fact, you may want to bring along pictures of people who have smiles that you admire. This information, combined with detailed measurements of your mouth, x-rays, photographs and impressions will help Dr. Parker design porcelain veneers that are tailor made for you.
Only two appointments are necessary for the actual placement of veneers. At the first, your teeth are prepared; a slim layer of enamel is removed in order to make room for the veneers. After this step, we’ll give you temporary set of acrylic veneers to protect your teeth.
Our dental lab needs about two weeks to create your customized veneers. They’ll be sent to our office where Dr. Parker will check each one against his specifications. If accurate, the veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth to create your special and unique smile.
Unfortunately, your veneers won’t last forever. While they are designed to bond with your teeth and be both stable and resistant to damage, they will eventually need to be replaced. The good news is that your veneers will generally last for well over a decade with proper care.
On the other hand, the procedure used to bond the shells to your pearly whites is irreversible. To make your veneers lay flat, a small amount of enamel must be removed from the treated teeth. Once taken off, it cannot be replaced, so you’ll need to continue covering them with veneers to protect them.
Veneers are usually considered an elective procedure by many insurance providers. This means that it’s rare to find a plan that will cover the costs. However, if your veneers are medically necessary, your insurance may cover a partial amount of the costs.
For this, Dr. Scott would need to help you establish a medical need to give to your insurance company. For example, if your veneers have fallen off, or need to be replaced because the teeth under them are at risk of decay, that might be enough. If you’re unsure about your coverage, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We’ll help you sort out your information and get your treatment on track.
At your consultation, you and Dr. Scott will discuss your goals and vision for your smile. This will help decide the number of veneers you’ll need to achieve it. Sometimes patients only have one problem tooth they want to conceal, but in other cases, they want a total transformation calling for several. Many patients tend to get six to eight veneers, covering the most visible teeth on the top and bottom of their smile. However, every case is different, and your smile is yours to shape as you please! Whatever you decide, our team will support you.
Natural teeth have a porous layer of enamel on the outside of them which allows them to absorb vitamins, minerals, and whitening agents. Veneers, on the other hand, are made with inorganic ceramics like porcelain. This means that whitening chemicals will have no effect on them.
If you haven’t undergone veneer treatment yet, the best thing to do is have your teeth whitened first. However, once your veneers are in place, the only way to have them match the rest of your smile is to replace them. So, be sure to bring up whitening as a goal when you have your veneer consultation with our team. This will ensure that you get the right treatments at the right time to save you time and money.
