Veneers-Spring Hill, TN

Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?

Year after year, veneers are one of the most popular smile-enhancing treatments. With that said, they aren’t the only ones. That’s why it’s important to consider all of your options. This will ensure that you pick the service that’s best for your smile and your wallet! Here’s a brief overview of what to keep in mind during your research process:

• Braces – More severe, complex cases take longer to correct than simpler cases. They might also require additional accessories and more frequent appointments. Naturally, such factors can increase the overall cost of care.
• Teeth Whitening – We offer several types of orthodontic treatments for adults. Some patients decide to get traditional metal braces, which tend to be the lowest-priced solution. If you are more interested in aesthetics, you might choose Invisalign or clear/ceramic braces instead. These more discreet options tend to have a higher cost than traditional orthodontics.
• Direct Bonding – If you accidentally break one of your orthodontic devices or make other mistakes throughout your treatment period, you might have to pay slightly more.
• Veneers – Although the upfront cost of veneers is higher compared to some of the cosmetic dental treatments mentioned above, it’s also important to remember that they can last the longest. Plus, the treatment timeline is short and painless. If those weren’t reason enough, they also can address all kinds of dental imperfections at once!

How to Make Veneers Affordable

Although we welcome dental insurance, it’s rare that patients have benefits that can be used toward cosmetic services, like veneers. The good news is that we’re also happy to welcome flexible financing through CareCredit. All you have to do is look through their available payment plans and select the one that suits your monthly budget best. We also offer periodic special offers! If you want to learn about our latest ones, give us a call.

Are Veneers Permanent?

Short answer: no, veneers are not permanent. They will eventually have to be replaced after a few years. However, the process of getting veneers is considered to be irreversible. A small amount of enamel will need to be removed for your teeth to ensure the veneers fit properly. But once that happens, the removed enamel will never grow back, meaning your prepared teeth will always need to be covered with crowns or veneers.

Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?

After your teeth are prepared for veneers, you’ll receive temporary ones to wear in the meantime. While you wait for your permanent veneers to be made, you need to avoid hard foods like ice, fruits, vegetables, and candy. It’s also a good idea to stay away from sticky foods that can pull veneers off the teeth.

Once your new veneers are in place, you can enjoy most foods once again. If you want to preserve your results for as long as possible, you should avoid extremely hard or crunchy foods as well as highly-pigmented foods. Make sure you drink alcohol sparingly as well, as it can weaken the bonding material holding your veneers in place.

Can You Whiten Veneers?

Unfortunately, you cannot whiten veneers. The bleaching agent has no effect on veneers even if they’ve been stained. If you want to restore the brightness of your smile, you’ll need to have them replaced or shaded instead. Since whitening treatment can still affect the teeth around veneers, you need to be careful as the tone of your smile can become uneven.

Is It Painful to Get Veneers?

Many patients are hesitant to move forward with the veneer process because they’re worried it’ll be painful. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about experiencing discomfort during the procedure as your mouth will typically be numbed for veneer placement. After your veneers are attached, you might feel some sensitivity and pain. However, post-treatment discomfort is more likely when more than eight veneers are being placed. The good news is you can manage it with over-the-counter pain medication and saltwater rinses.

What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?

Veneers themselves will not harm your teeth because only a small amount of enamel is removed. The bonding material used to attach the restoration to your tooth is perfectly safe. Since the enamel is covered by the veneer, the procedure does not increase your risk of cavities. However, it is still important to brush and floss regularly to prevent tooth decay from occurring. You can protect your teeth and veneers with the same practices. Brush twice and floss each day. Be mindful of the amount of sugar you are consuming and attend regular cleanings every six months.

Do Veneers Give You a Lisp?

Some people have trouble pronouncing certain words when they first get veneers. This can result in a temporary lisp. This is partially due to muscle memory, as the tongue is not used to accounting for the presence of veneers when you talk. The tiny difference in thickness affects the way the tongue moves. Fortunately, your tongue will adjust on its own, but by practicing the pronunciation of certain sounds, you can speed up this process.

Can Veneers Be Used for Bite Corrections?

Veneers don’t change the position of the teeth or jaw, so they are not very effective at treating bite problems. However, if you have a very mild open bite, veneers can make the teeth appear longer and wider so they appear to line up correctly. You can also use veneers to address small gaps between the teeth. Veneers are only ever recommended for bite issues that don’t cause significant oral health problems, yet affect your appearance.

How Many Veneers Will I Need?

The goal of veneers is for all of your visible teeth to match. Therefore, you will receive an appropriate number of veneers to accomplish that goal. Some people get a single veneer to correct one tooth while others get 6-12 for a more complete smile makeover. During your consultation with us, we will discuss what the right number of veneers is for you.