Veneers – Virginia Beach, VA
Make Dental Imperfections Disappear
Do your teeth have so many flaws, you worry that you could never have a straight, white, beautiful smile? Maybe you think it would require too many procedures or too much money to get the look of your dreams. If so, you may benefit from veneers. They’re a fast and effective way to mask dental imperfections. At Smile by Design of Virginia Beach, we can transform your entire set of pearly whites in as little as two appointments! Continue reading to learn more about this service or give us a call to schedule your consultation today.
What are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin sheaths of layered ceramic, which add strength to your teeth. The restorations fit over your existing tooth structure like tiny shells, instantly upgrading your smile from dull to dazzling. At Smile by Design of Virginia Beach, we use veneers to whiten, straighten, and correct flaws. Not only are they highly stain-resistant, but they’re translucent and resemble healthy, white tooth enamel.
The Process of Getting Veneers
We’ll begin your smile transformation process with a veneer consultation. At this initial visit, our cosmetic dentists review your goals, answer your questions, and discuss your concerns. Once we’ve determined that you’re a good candidate for veneers, we’ll schedule you in for the first phase of treatment.
We have the experience and training to ensure your new porcelain veneers will compliment your facial features, your hair color, and your eye color. Designing custom porcelain veneers isn’t just about creating the right kind of teeth, but also creating veneers that fit your look—from your skin tone to the symmetry of your face. Your porcelain veneers must meet our exacting standards, so we work with the finest dental labs that utilize modern materials for natural-looking veneers.
At your first treatment visit, we’ll prepare your teeth and take impressions of them. Then, a ceramist at one of our trusted dental labs will handcraft your veneers using the molds and photos we provide them with.
Once the veneers are made, we’ll call you back to the office for their placement. One of our cosmetic dentists will make any needed adjustments and take the time to ensure your veneers fit well and look great. After that, we’ll permanently bond the veneers to the fronts of your teeth. You’ll be ready to show off your brand-new smile that same day!
The Benefits of Veneers
Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available today – and for good reason. By choosing to improve your smile with this option, you can expect to reap multiple incredible benefits, including:
- Versatile treatment that addresses several problems at once (i.e., staining, discoloration, gaps, cracks, chips, misalignment)
- Long lifespan (up to 15 years with proper care and maintenance)
- Natural-looking results
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Flawless results in as little as two appointments
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Choosing how you want to invest in your smile is a big decision, especially with so many options to choose from. Veneers are a popular choice because of their comprehensive nature and dazzling results, but it’s important to keep in mind that they are more expensive than other cosmetic treatments. Additionally, cosmetic services like veneers aren’t covered by dental insurance usually. Fortunately, when you come visit us for a consultation, we’ll be able to give you a customized estimate of how much veneers will likely cost you. We’ll also review all your payment options and how to make your new smile as affordable as possible! Read on as we cover some important information about the cost of veneers in Virginia Beach.
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
At Smile By Design of Virginia Beach, we’re proud to offer numerous services at different price points to help you achieve exactly the look you want without breaking the bank. Let’s review some of our most popular cosmetic services and how their costs stack up to the price of veneers:
- Invisalign – Veneers are able to correct slightly crooked or gapped teeth, but moderate to severe orthodontic issues will need to be treated with an option like Invisalign. These clear aligners will cost you more time and money than veneers, but they’ll give you a healthier bite and more aligned smile.
- ZOOM! Teeth Whitening – One of the fastest and most affordable ways to dramatically improve your smile is with one of our professional teeth whitening treatments. In as little as an hour, we can take years of stains off your smile and give you a dazzling set of pearly whites. However, teeth whitening will naturally only change the color of your teeth, not their shape or size.
- Dental Bonding – Dental bonding is a great way to correct minor chips, stains, and gaps in the teeth. This treatment is fast, easy, and cost-effective, plus it addresses many of the issues that veneers can as well. However, dental bonding can only fix very small flaws and will need to be redone every few years.
- Veneers – While veneers may not be the cheapest option for fixing up your smile, they are certainly the most comprehensive! These thin shells of dental porcelain can completely redesign the appearance of one or more teeth that have a variety of different problems. As an added bonus, dental porcelain is resistant to stains and chips, and will likely last for 15 years or more!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Looking for ways to make veneers affordable in Virginia Beach? CareCredit may be the perfect option for you! This third-party financing program offers a variety of payment plans that work similarly to a credit card. Qualifying patients can choose a plan that works for them, get their veneers, and then break up the cost over the next several months. If you’re interested in applying for CareCredit, feel free to visit our website or call our knowledgeable front desk staff.
Veneers FAQs
Are you ready to make your dental imperfections disappear? It’s likely that you have some questions that need answers before you’re ready to commit to veneers in Virginia Beach. At Smile by Design of Virginia Beach, we want you to have all the information you need to make a confident and well-informed decision. That’s why we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about veneers below so you can learn more. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!
Are Veneers Permanent?
To have your veneers placed, a thin layer of enamel will need to be removed. Since enamel cannot grow back on its own, veneers are considered a permanent treatment. Fortunately, they’re made of high-quality dental porcelain, which is well-know for its durability. Not only does it resist stains and chipping, but it is virtually indistinguishable from natural, healthy enamel! With the proper care, you can enjoy your veneers for 15-30 years before needing to replace them.
Can I Get Cavities If I Get Veneers?
The good news is that your veneers themselves won’t be vulnerable to tooth decay. However, since they only cover the front-facing portion of your teeth, they don’t offer full protection from cavities. If you don’t continue to brush and floss regularly, then cavity-causing plaque can build up on the back of your teeth and eat through the enamel there. Cavities will also still be able to form between your teeth, and in older veneers, plaque can slip under them and cause decay. Should this happen, we may need to remove your veneer in order to treat the cavity underneath!
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
Veneers are an individualized treatment that is custom-made for each tooth. We can craft as many or as few as you need to get the exact results you’re looking for. That being said, we’ve found that the most seamless results are usually achieved with pairs of veneers on the front two, four, six, or eight teeth. It all just depends on what your goals are for your smile! During your consultation, we can give you a preview of what your results will look like with our virtual smile design technology, so you can be confident in the results before you even begin treatment!
Are Veneers Expensive?
As a cosmetic service, veneers are rarely covered by dental insurance. While that means the cost of veneers will be primarily out-of-pocket, we believe that a beautiful, confident smile should be a financially achievable goal for everyone! Not only do we offer a variety of cosmetic services at different price points, but we also offer CareCredit financing to help make your treatment more affordable. This third-party company offers low- to no-interest payment plans that act similarly to a credit card. Qualifying patients can choose a plan that works best for them and breaks up the cost of their veneers into smaller payments over the coming months or years.
What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?
The veneers themselves won’t cause any harm to the teeth. Only a minimal amount of enamel is removed, and the bonding material used to attach the restoration is completely safe. Because the enamel is covered by the restoration, the procedure doesn’t increase the risk of cavities. That being said, you still need to brush and floss regularly to prevent tooth decay from occurring beneath the veneers. You can protect your teeth and veneers using all of the same best practices – brush twice, floss, and rinse with mouthwash every day. Limit the amount of sugar you consume and attend regular cleanings and checkups.
Do Veneers Give You a Lisp?
Some people have trouble pronouncing certain words when they first get veneers, resulting in a temporary lisp. This is partially due to muscle memory. The tongue is not used to account for the presence of veneers when you talk. The tiny difference in thickness affects the way the tongue moves – especially when pronouncing “s” and “v” sounds. The good news is that the tongue is very adaptive, so it should adjust on its own very quickly. To speed this up, it is helpful to practice difficult words and sounds.
Can Veneers Be Used for Bite Corrections?
Veneers will not change the actual positions of the teeth or jaw, so their effectiveness for treating bite problems varies depending on how severe the problem is. If you have a mild open bite, veneers can make the teeth look longer and wider so that they appear to line up correctly. You can also use veneers to hide small gaps between the teeth. Ultimately, veneers will only ever be recommended for bite issues that don’t cause significant oral health issues yet affect your appearance.
Do Veneers Change Your Face?
Veneers provide extra support for the mouth’s musculature and help to accentuate the cheekbones. As one ages, their mouth loses elasticity and muscle tone as it ages, which is why the extra support from veneers can make a difference. To some extent, veneers can provide the same benefits as a facelift without surgery. During your consultation with us, we will explain the impact that veneers will have on the shape of your face in more detail.