Veneers – Needham, MA
Disguise Your Teeth’s Imperfections
Few things are as attractive as a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, you might be shy about showing off your smile if your teeth have noticeable imperfections, such as chips, stains, cracks, or gaps. If that is the case for you, we invite you to visit Gillis Dental for a cosmetic dentistry consultation. After we learn about your goals and examine your teeth, we might recommend veneers in Needham as the best way to help you achieve your ideal look.
Why Choose Gillis Dental for Veneers?
- Treatment customized to your preferences
- Results with the potential to last for 10 years or longer
- Skilled and caring team
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are often called porcelain veneers or dental veneers. They are thin, custom-made pieces of porcelain that we attach to the fronts of teeth with the goal of hiding aesthetic imperfections. Some of the issues that we commonly use veneers to address include:
- Discoloration
- Cracks
- Chips
- Small gaps between the teeth
- Asymmetrical teeth
- Teeth that look disproportionately small
Benefits of Veneers
Some of the top benefits of veneers include:
- They are resistant to stains. Porcelain is nonporous, which means that it does not absorb pigment like regular tooth enamel. With proper care, your veneers may keep their original color for many years.
- They last a long time. A set of veneers may last for 10 – 15 years or longer before replacement becomes necessary.
- They are durable. Veneers can stand up to almost any food.
- The treatment is customizable. You can use veneers to change the appearance of just a few teeth, or you can totally transform your smile. We carefully design each veneer so that its size, shape, and color are a complement for your natural facial features.
The Veneers Process
At least two appointments are required to design and place veneers. At the first appointment, we prepare your teeth by removing a bit of enamel from them. This is necessary to ensure that the veneers do not make your smile look unnatural or bulky. Next, we take detailed impressions of your teeth. A dental lab uses those impressions, along with design notes from us, to fabricate your custom veneers.
Between your appointments, temporary veneers will protect your teeth and allow you to “test drive” your new look. When your permanent ones are ready, we will verify their fit and make sure you are happy with the way they look before we bond them onto your teeth.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
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The cost of veneers in Needham varies from case to case and depends on a few factors, including the number of veneers you wish to receive and whether you choose to undergo any preliminary treatments (for example, we typically recommend teeth whitening prior to veneer placement). Although veneers can present a significant upfront cost, they are an excellent value due to their outstanding longevity and natural appearance. When you come in for your cosmetic consultation, our team will help you weigh the pros, cons, and cost of all your smile-enhancement treatment options.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What Should I Choose?
Veneers in Needham are just one of several aesthetic dentistry options that may be able to help you reach your goals for your smile. Here is an overview of some popular services, along with brief notes about pricing:
- Traditional braces and clear aligners tend to cost several thousand dollars. They are a necessary and effective treatment for many patients whose dental misalignment is a threat to their oral health. However, treatment can take months or years to complete, and orthodontia does nothing to enhance the color, size, or shape of teeth.
- Teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening services from a cosmetic dentist in Needham tend to be affordable, often costing just a few hundred dollars. They can clear away both intrinsic and extrinsic dental stains, leaving you with a significantly brighter smile. However, the results are temporary. Plus, whitening does not improve the positioning, size, or shape of teeth.
- Direct bonding. Also known as cosmetic bonding or dental bonding, this is a relatively affordable and fast service. At first, its results look similar to veneers. The downside to bonding is that it is not particularly durable. In most cases, it needs to be replaced every 3 – 5 years.
- Veneers are often regarded as a sort of “all in one” cosmetic treatment. In just a few appointments, they can hide discoloration, chips, and cracks. They can also change the shape of teeth and even disguise some cases of minor misalignment. They typically last for 15 years or longer. Although their cost is significant, they are a smart investment for image-conscious individuals who want to look their best.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Dental insurance does not usually cover veneers because they are considered to be a purely elective service in most cases. However, there are some provisions that may make it easier for you to fit this treatment into your budget:
- CareCredit is a third-party financier that offers low-interest credit for dental services. The application process is quick, and you may be able to choose from a variety of payment plans.
- Essential Dental Plan. This discount plan provides reduced fees on most of the services available in our practice.
- Treatment adjustments. Placing fewer veneers is likely to lower the total cost of treatment. Later on, you may be able to complete your new look.
Would you like to learn more about veneers and their cost? Get in touch with Gillis Dental today to schedule a consultation.
Veneers FAQs
The team at Gillis Dental is eager to help you achieve your dream smile with veneers in Needham. Before you schedule your cosmetic consultation, however, you may want to know more about the road ahead. We understand that, which is why we have put together the following list of FAQs, along with succinct answers. Give us a call if you would like further explanation on anything you discover here.
What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?
Veneers do not harm the teeth, and the bonding material that is used to secure them in place is quite safe. However, in order to achieve the best results possible, we will have to remove a bit of enamel from your teeth (usually about half a millimeter or so). This step is necessary in order to ensure that your veneers look as natural as possible and remain secure in your mouth.
Once your veneers are in place, you can keep the teeth beneath them healthy by taking some simple preventive measures. For example, you should stick to a thorough oral hygiene routine, avoid overindulging in sugary foods, and regularly visit your cosmetic dentist in Needham for checkups.
Is There Anything I Cannot Eat with Veneers?
You will have to wear temporary veneers for a time while you wait for your permanent ones to be made. Since temporary veneers are somewhat vulnerable to stains and damage, you should avoid eating a lot of hard or sticky foods. It would also be wise to limit your consumption of highly pigmented items, such as coffee and red wine.
Once your permanent veneers are in place, you should be able to eat virtually anything. However, it would be wise to continue to make balanced food choices. Also, keep in mind that consuming a lot of alcohol can weaken the bond that veneers have with teeth.
Can Veneers Be Used for Bite Corrections?
Since veneers do not actually move the teeth, they cannot correct bite problems. If you suffer from a significant malocclusion, you may need orthodontic treatment before you move forward with veneers.
With that being said, it is possible for veneers to hide some types of bite problems. For example, if you have a minor open bite, veneers can make your teeth look longer and may be able to close any empty space that appears between your top and bottom dental arches.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
A 2007 study found that 73% of veneers lasted 15 – 16 years. A separate study produced even more encouraging results; it found that 83% of veneers lasted for 20 years. Some individuals have even kept their veneers for 30 years or longer.
How long your veneers last will depend largely on how you care for them. Making wise food choices, sticking to a good oral hygiene routine, and not biting down on hard objects (like ice or jawbreaker candies) can do much to keep your veneers in good shape for the long haul.