
When a tooth develops stains that no teeth whitening can resolve or becomes chipped, it can stand out in your otherwise perfectly attractive smile. With dental veneers, which are crafted from high-quality, natural-looking dental ceramic, we can make your smile look exactly the way you want it to and hide multiple imperfections at a time. Not only do veneers from our Westlake Hills cosmetic dentist help you save on future treatments, but it expedites the process of your smile makeover!
Dental veneers are strong thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of teeth. They may be an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their natural look, beauty, simplicity and versatility. Why put up with gaps between your teeth or teeth that are stained, badly shaped, or crooked? Veneers placed on your teeth can often correct these imperfections simply and quickly, and they are available right here in West Lake Hills.
Veneers are also sometimes called “instant orthodontics” since the crooked teeth can in many cases be made straight immediately at the initial prepping (tooth contouring) visit when the temporary veneers are placed. A ceramic specialty dental lab then creates the custom veneers specifically for you. The beautiful veneers are then bonded to the teeth a few weeks later. From start to finish the process can take as little as two to three weeks!
When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin veneers are completely natural-looking and can be as white as you would like them. They are highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, or wine. However, the skill and training of the cosmetic dentist and the dental ceramic laboratory are very important to the naturalness and beauty of the creation of your new smile. We pride ourselves in providing a beautiful, esthetically pleasing, dazzling new smile for our patients.
Veneers can have a service life of ten to twenty-plus years. Their longevity is dependent upon the severity of grinding and clenching, how your teeth fit together, the quality workmanship of the dentist and the dental laboratory fabricating the veneers, and the proper care given to them. At Westlake Hills Dental Arts, most of our veneers are crafted by Microdental Laboratory, one of the world’s premier ceramic dental labs. At Microdental Laboratory, located in California, your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and by the best ceramic artists and shipped back here to West Lake Hills. Dr. Long works closely with these professional lab technicians to customize a beautiful smile made just for you.
Veneers can solve a variety of dental problems that you may be researching. See below if you’re looking for an answer to a particular problem.
Here are examples of things you may be searching for pertaining to a Chipped Tooth:
Chipped teeth are a common problem. If your teeth keep chipping in the same place, if you have large chips, or if the edges of your teeth are very thin, dental veneers may be a great solution.
Here are examples of things you may be searching for pertaining to a Cracked Tooth:
Chewing and grinding put a lot of force on our teeth which can lead to cracks. While not all cracks are problematic, they do provide a place where bacteria can enter the teeth and cause cavities. Cracks can also propagate over time, like a crack in your windshield, and this can lead to pain or out-and-out fractures. Fractures down the root of the teeth are not treatable and teeth with these types of fractures must be removed. Veneers or dental crowns can serve to seal teeth with cracks and help keep cracks from getting deeper.
Here are examples of things you may be searching for pertaining to Stained or Discolored Teeth:
There are two broad categories of stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are environmental stains that are a result of consuming things such as wine, coffee, tea, and blueberries. These types of stains can often be minimized with whitening agents. Intrinsic stains are those that happen internally, usually when a tooth is developing, and are usually brown or black and may have white splotches. These kinds of stains do not respond as well to external bleaching, but can be masked well with dental veneers.
Here are examples of things you may be searching for pertaining to a Worn Tooth:
Our teeth wear over time from chewing and grinding. Once enamel is lost, there is no way to “grow” it back. Dental veneers can make your teeth look better proportioned and give you your more youthful smile back.
Here are examples of things you may be searching for pertaining to a Crooked Tooth:
Sometimes our teeth aren’t perfectly aligned because they move over time and tend to crowd together as we age. If braces or clear aligners are not an option or are not desired, veneers can often be used to make teeth look straighter and better aligned.
While it seems that every dentist now calls themselves a cosmetic dentist, actually few have received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and most have only limited experience in this field. There is a huge range in the skill levels of dentists in the cosmetic dental field and thereby a wide range in the quality of results.
Dr. Long is highly skilled and trained in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. She has taken numerous advanced courses in veneers and cosmetic restorations. Her endless drive to enhance her knowledge and refine her skills has made Westlake Hills Dental Arts one of the premier dental offices in West Lake Hills for veneers.
It’s impossible to put a price tag on a confident smile. However, we understand that the cost of veneers in Westlake is concerning for many patients. Admittedly, veneers can be a bit more expensive than other treatments, but if you want to make several major smile transformations at the same time, veneers can often be the most efficient and cost-effective way to do so. If you decide to pursue treatment with veneers, we’ll devise a strategy to revitalize your smile without breaking the bank. Our friendly team at Westlake Hills Dental Arts will help you explore your options for making veneers affordable!
Thanks to the countless advancements in modern dental technology and techniques, there are more ways than ever before for your cosmetic dentist in Westlake to transform your smile. When deciding on the treatment that’s best for you, Dr. Long will review your options, which may include:
As beneficial as veneers are, they are rarely considered “medically necessary.” Therefore, dental insurance is unlikely to cover the cost. Don’t let that deter you, though; our team can look over your specific policy just to be sure you’re not missing out on any coverage that you’re entitled to.
In addition to dental insurance, we make veneers affordable with our CareCredit partnership. CareCredit is a third-party financier that has helped countless Americans split up their dental care costs into monthly chunks via flexible payment plans. Many of these plans come with low to no interest rates! Our team members will gladly help you with the application process.
Although you may be excited to finally achieve your dream smile with veneers in Westlake, it’s normal to have a few questions or concerns before going through with the procedure. Rest assured that during your initial consultation, Dr. Long will sit down with you and answer any questions you may have regarding veneers. Until then, we encourage you to read through this list of some of the questions about veneers that our team members get asked the most often.
Dental crowns, or “caps,” are similar to veneers in that they cover up part of a tooth. The main difference is that a crown fits over the entire section of a tooth that is visible above the gums, while a veneer only covers the tooth’s front-facing surface.
In order to make room for a dental crown, more enamel must be shaved off of the tooth. So, veneers are usually considered the more conservative treatment that allows you to retain more of your natural tooth structure.
Before your veneers can be placed, a very thin layer of enamel (about as thin as a contact lens) must be removed. This may sound painful, but Dr. Long will most likely administer a local anesthetic beforehand to numb your mouth. We even offer sedation options to ensure your comfort.
That said, your mouth may feel a bit sore after your teeth have been prepped and after your veneers have been placed. This should only be temporary, and taking an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen as needed should be more than enough to relieve your discomfort.
In most cases, we recommend getting an even number of veneers to treat the front two, four, six, or eight teeth. Doing so ensures a more uniform, natural-looking result. However, if you only have one problem tooth, it’s perfectly fine to only receive a single veneer. We can discuss how many veneers you should get during your consultation.
Unfortunately, just because your teeth are covered with veneers doesn’t mean they’re immune to decay. Bacteria in your mouth can still build up and attack the enamel, creating cavities. That’s why even if you have veneers, it’s still important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing on a daily basis.
In general, maintaining your veneers isn’t much different from taking care of natural teeth. Here are some tips for making your veneers last as long as possible: