Veneers

Porcelain veneers last 10-15 years on average but the lifespan has many factors, such as oral hygiene, lifestyle, quality of material, and maintenance.

No, the process of preparing the teeth for veneers usually required an anesthetic shot to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue so that the process is more comfortable.

Veneers cannot be whitened; they are usually a ceramic material where the shade stays the same for their lifespan.

The cost varies depending on the number of veneers needed, the type of veneer or any additional procedures required for the process. Generally, porcelain veneers can range from $1500-$2500 per tooth.

Porcelain veneers do need to be replaced after their lifespan.

Veneers are bonded to the outer portion of the natural tooth, ideally the enamel with dental bonding protocols that are very strong.

There are porcelain and composite veneers. Porcelain veneers last longer and are more of an investment.

The color of veneers is typically matched to the other color of the natural teeth to make the most natural look.

This varies by what the goals of the treatment are. It can be anywhere from 1-14 but typically 2,4, or 8-10 veneers are used for the best outcome.

The preparation of the teeth for veneers is very minimal. The goal is to prepare as little of the tooth as possible to stay in the outer enamel of the tooth.

The process is usually 3 appointments, the first being a record gathering including photos, impressions, discussions. The second is the preparation day where the teeth are prepared for the veneers. The third is the final veneer delivery day. This all takes about 6 weeks.

Porcelain veneers are permanent, but they have a lifespan and eventually need to be replaced. The patient or the dentist can take the veneers on and off without cutting them off.

To see if a patient is a good candidate for veneers, an in-person assessment must be complete with an exam, photos, and a personalized discussion to go over the patient’s goals.

The goal of veneers is to match the existing teeth and have a natural tooth appearance.

A bleaching agent is applied directly to your teeth for in office whitening or in a tray for at home whitening. This agent usually contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break down and remove the stains.

A take home carbamide peroxide gel that is used in custom trays is the best way to whiten teeth.

In office whitening using opalescence BOOST is 3 rounds of 20 minutes with a total of 1 hour

A dental cleaning should be done before teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening should not hurt, but it does sometimes cause some sensitivity that is not permanent.

Teeth whitening does not damage enamel.

Teeth whitening costs vary by office but can range from 500-750 depending on the treatment.

Post operative instructions after teeth whitening include not drinking any liquids that can stain a white t-shirt for a few days and it is sometimes advised to use sensitivity toothpaste following teeth whitening

Teeth whitening does not work on crowns or bridges, only natural teeth.

Call the dental office to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening, as long as a dental cleaning has been completed in the last 6 months.

Invisalign is a type of clear aligners used for orthodontics.

Invisalign clear aligners are instructed to be worn 22 hours per day and only taken out to eat.

Traditional braces have bands and wires while Invisalign has invisible attachments to the teeth with clear trays.

The treatment time for Invisalign varies by complexity of the case but can take anywhere from 2 months - a year on average for simple cases.

Invisalign costs 5000$ this includes all of the appointments along the way, any x rays, the whitening for the duration of the Invisalign as well as the retainers at the end of treatment.

Each tray is worn for about a week unless described otherwise by your doctor.

Digital Smile Design, or DSD, is planning a patient's smile makeover digitally. It combines principles of esthetics, facial analysis, and computer technology to create a customized treatment plan that can be visually communicated with the patient.

Not every dentist can provide digital smile design, or DSD. Dentists trained with digital smile design techniques are best for providing digital smile design.

Come prepared with your goals and expectations for the dentist and a face ready for some photos!

The mockup is used to gather information on where we could possibly go with your teeth, it is not the final teeth. So, the mockup is used to guide the patient and the dentist to formulate a good end result. Changes can be made, and this is the time to make changes before anything permanent is done.

Good candidates are patients with good oral hygiene, cracked or chipped teeth, gaps between teeth, discolored or irregularly shaped teeth.

Dental bonding is commonly used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps between teeth, improve the appearance of discolored teeth, or alter the shape and size of teeth.

Yes; however, it's important to note that dental bonding may not be as durable or long-lasting as other options like porcelain veneers or crowns, and it may require periodic maintenance or replacement over time.

Preparation of the tooth structure, if any, bonding material application, shaping and molding, bonding, curing, and finishing touches - this can be done in one visit.

Yes, dental bonding can change the shape or shade of teeth, this includes the length.