Porcelain veneers can make an incredible difference in almost any smile – repairing chips, cracks, and gaps, lengthening teeth that are too small, perfecting an irregular or jagged tooth line, and covering the most discolored or stained teeth. Porcelain Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that is used to straighten, reshape, or brighten teeth.
Porcelain Veneers in Woodbridge, VA
Woodbridge, VA, cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Cavallo places porcelain veneers to treat both cosmetic and dental health issues.
Porcelain veneers not only provide the smile you have always wanted but can also offer dental health benefits, balancing your bite if you have short, small, worn down, or crooked teeth. They are a great restorative treatment for teeth that have cracked or chipped when dental bonding is not appropriate, enabling Dr. Cavallo to restore a healthy bite and prevent the same problems from occurring again in the future.
What is the Difference Between a Crown & a Veneer?
While crowns and veneers are a very similar type of restoration, there are a few key differences. One of the main differences between crowns and veneers is that a dental crown covers the entire tooth, while a dental veneer only covers the front and sides of a tooth.
Veneers are commonly used to:
- Fix gaps between teeth
- Repair chipped or broken teeth
- Improve the appearance of crooked or misshaped teeth
- Change the shape or length of teeth
- Cover stained or discolored teeth
Porcelain veneers are only an aesthetic treatment for your teeth. They simply cover cosmetic flaws and present a perfect smile. If the flaws with your teeth are simply that, things like a chip or pitted teeth, then porcelain veneers can be a great way to get a great smile easily.
But if you have issues such as decay or gum disease, these problems must be addressed and resolved before veneers can be placed on your teeth.
What to Expect
Porcelain veneers generally take 2 – 3 visits to complete. After a comprehensive evaluation and consultation, Dr. Cavallo will prepare the teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from each tooth. An impression will be taken, and you will be fitted with temporary veneers while your final restorations are being created.
In approximately 2–3 weeks, your new porcelain veneers will be ready to be permanently attached to your teeth. After the dentist checks the fit and color and both you and the dentist are satisfied, a special bonding cement will be used to secure the porcelain veneers to your teeth.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my veneer appointment?
No, there aren’t any restrictions. As mentioned above, the application of veneers only affects the outer surfaces of the teeth.
Is there recovery after either appointment when I get my veneers?
This is a pain-free, recovery-free procedure. When he removes some of the enamel to make room for your veneers, Dr. Cavallo will provide some local anesthetic to remove any possible sensation you feel. After the first appointment, some patients notice a slight temporary increase in sensitivity to hot and cold because Dr. Cavallo has removed some of the tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. This passes when the permanent veneers are placed. There isn’t a recovery period, and you can use your teeth with the veneers immediately.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
A set of porcelain veneers can last anywhere from seven to 20 years. This sounds like a wide range, but it is due to the health of the underlying teeth and gums. If a veneer does come off for some reason, in most cases, it can be reattached.
You do need to know that porcelain veneers are a lifetime commitment. Because the placement requires shaving the enamel off the fronts of the teeth, those teeth will forevermore need to be covered with veneers. So, once your veneers have reached their lifespan, you’ll need to have another set placed.
How do I care for my new veneers?
Porcelain veneers don’t require any special cleaning or maintenance at home, just regular brushing and flossing. Dr. Cavallo only uses porcelain for the veneers he places because they not only look just like natural tooth enamel, but they are highly resistant to staining. This ensures they will look great for the long haul.
There aren’t any limitations on what you can or cannot eat. But you may want to avoid things such as candy apples or chewing on bones, as veneers can sometimes detach. If a veneer does detach, however, it can be reapplied.
Is the porcelain veneer procedure painful?
Patients often worry about the pain associated with porcelain veneers. We take steps to ensure that each patient undergoing treatment with porcelain veneers is comfortable and relaxed. It is common for patients to experience some mild sensitivity immediately following treatment. These symptoms generally subside within 1 – 3 days of treatment.
Are porcelain veneers safe?
These are very low-risk procedures. There are no incisions, so there isn’t any possibility of infection. There isn’t any recovery time. Porcelain veneers only impact the outer surfaces of the teeth being covered by Dr. Cavallo. To make room for the veneer to sit on the tooth and occupy the same space, he removes a small amount of the tooth enamel, from 0.3 to 0.5 mm.
This doesn’t make the tooth more prone to decay, nerve damage, or anything else. Porcelain veneers are a great tool for giving you a beautifully complete smile or for covering a single tooth or two with interior staining or other cosmetic defects.
Does insurance cover porcelain veneers?
No. These are deemed to be elective procedures, so they are not covered by dental insurance. We offer Care Credit should you want to finance your porcelain veneer procedure.
How much do porcelain veneers cost?
The cost of porcelain veneers varies depending on the material used, the number of porcelain veneers placed, and the specific condition of the patient. Before treatment, we will complete a full review of the procedure including the porcelain veneer cost. We offer convenient payment options, including interest-free financing through Care Credit for qualified patients.