Porcelain Veneers – Plano, TX
Say Goodbye to Your Smile’s Imperfections
Do you cringe when you see yourself in photos and notice your chipped, discolored, or otherwise less than perfect teeth? You’re not alone. Countless millions of people wish they could transform their smile and experience the confidence that comes with a stunning set of pearly whites. Porcelain veneers in Plano may be able to make it happen for you! If you are ready to bid farewell to your smile’s flaws, contact Dr. Shannon Stokes today to schedule your cosmetic consultation.
What Kinds of Problems Can Porcelain Veneers Fix?
Porcelain veneers are custom-made, ultra-thin tooth covers that your cosmetic dentist in Plano permanently attaches to the fronts of your teeth. They’re able to seamlessly disguise a number of aesthetic flaws, including:
- Discoloration
- Chips and cracks
- Teeth that are too short
- Asymmetrical teeth
- Small gaps between the teeth
- Minor misalignment
Although porcelain veneers are usually applied just to the upper teeth, you may choose to have them placed on your lower teeth as well if you want to experience a truly complete smile transformation.
Why Are Porcelain Veneers the Right Choice?
Porcelain veneers are an outstanding cosmetic treatment because:
- Most patients who are free of serious oral health concerns and who have an adequate amount of tooth enamel are good candidates for porcelain veneers.
- We’ll color-match your veneers to the surrounding teeth so they blend in seamlessly with your smile (you may choose to have your natural teeth professional whitened first). Also, since porcelain reflects light in a manner that is similar to that of real tooth enamel, no one may even suspect that your smile isn’t totally natural.
- Porcelain is resistant to stains — in fact, it resists stains even better than natural tooth enamel!
- Veneers have the potential to last a very long time. With proper maintenance and regular checkups, they may retain their function and beauty for 15 years or longer. This is in stark contrast to cosmetic bonding, which may last for only a few years before it needs to be replaced.
- Caring for veneers is easy. As long as you stick to good oral hygiene habits and take reasonable measures to protect the porcelain from breakage (for example, you should always wear a mouthguard while playing sports), it is unlikely that you’ll encounter any problems with your veneers.
- The procedure for placing veneers is minimally invasive and requires only slight tooth alteration.
What Is the Process for Placing Porcelain Veneers?
Usually, it takes just two appointments for our team to transform your look with porcelain veneers. During the first appointment, Dr. Stokes will prepare your teeth by removing a sliver of enamel from them; this step ensures that the veneers will fit in well with your natural smile line and won’t feel bulky. Then, we’ll take some detailed impression of your prepared teeth and give you temporary veneers to wear while a laboratory creates your permanent one.
During your second appointment, Dr. Stokes will make any necessary adjustments to your veneers and attach them to your teeth. Then, you can go on your way and show off your gorgeous new grin!
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
You don’t have to be rich to revamp your smile with porcelain veneers. Although they are thought to be expensive, they are affordable for people from all walks of life. Many factors influence the cost of veneers, but Dr. Stokes strives to keep a stunning smile within everyone’s budget. He’ll help you choose the most cost-effective option to create the smile of your dreams.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?
Every mouth is as unique as fingerprints, and every situation differs. As a result, there’s no cookie-cutter treatment to create an attractive smile. Dr. Stokes will examine your mouth and learn more about your preferences, including your budget, to determine which treatments may be right for you, like:
- Braces: Whether metal braces or clear aligners, braces can fix many bite and alignment issues. They can be partially covered under dental insurance with the average treatment taking 12 to 24 months. Although effective, it can be a long, expensive commitment if you only need minor adjustments.
- Teeth Whitening: A professional whitening agent can improve surface and age-related discoloration by up to 8 shades. While not covered under dental insurance, results can last for many months or years with the right aftercare.
- Direct Bonding: A composite resin is shaded to the color of your enamel to blend in with your tooth when used to fix minor aesthetic issues. It offers a lot of bang for your buck if you need a quick fix for a chipped tooth or exposed tooth root.
- Veneers: A veneer improves the color, size, and shape of a tooth. Bonding them to the teeth visible when smiling corrects many issues at once, like gaps, stains, and chips. You’ll save time and money using a solution that can take just two appointments. Your results can last for a decade or more to enjoy a long-lasting investment.
Dr. Stokes will help you choose the best treatment for your situation. A member of our team will review a personalized estimate and explain the fees. You’ll know exactly what you’ll have to pay before committing to anything.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
It doesn’t have to cost you an arm or a leg to enhance your smile. We will review all your payment options, including:
- Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, including cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
- Dental Insurance: It’s not common for dental insurance to pay for elective services, but there are exceptions if a procedure is medically necessary. Many cosmetic treatments also provide restorative benefits. You can also use your coverage for certain steps in your plan, like your consultation, imaging, or prep work. We will work on your behalf with your insurance to maximize any appropriate coverage.
- Monthly Payments: Pay any out-of-pocket expenses in monthly installments through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit. You can benefit from little or no interest in financing based on your credit approval.
If you have questions about your payment options, or you’re ready to schedule your consultation, contact our office today.
Veneers FAQs
Have you been looking for a way to enhance your smile? Do you have one or multiple dental flaws that you wish to address? If so, veneers may be the ideal option for you. While you can be sure to enjoy numerous benefits with these thin porcelain shells, you may want to know what you should expect from the treatment before jumping on board with the process. That’s why our team has taken the time to collect and share some of the most frequently asked questions we get about this cosmetic procedure. By being more familiar with the treatment, you can make a well-informed decision on how to improve your pearly whites. Read on or give us a call today to learn more about veneers in Plano!
Are Veneers Permanent?
Although these wafer-thin porcelain layers are durable and long-lasting, they aren’t technically considered permanent. They aren’t indestructible and you’ll eventually have to replace them to renew the beautiful results they provide. Still, the only irreversible part of the treatment is the preparation of your teeth to make room for your veneers. This process involves removing a tiny portion of your natural enamel, which will not grow back on its own. For this reason, your affected teeth will need to be covered and protected with either crowns or veneers moving forward. With proper care, you can expect to enjoy your porcelain shells for 15 years or more.
Do Veneers Give You a Lisp?
Some patients may experience a mild lisp when first receiving their veneers. This may be due to difficulties pronouncing certain words, sounds, or phrases. This is partly because of muscle memory, as your tongue is not yet accustomed to the presence of your porcelain shells. Even though they’re super-thin, the slight difference in thickness can throw off your normal speech pattern. If you notice a lisp, you might find it happens particularly when pronouncing the “v” and “s” sounds. With time and practice, your tongue should get used to your veneers.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
Veneers are typically made of porcelain dental material, which is highly resistant to stains. Since they won’t be non-porous like your natural pearly whites, particles from dark-colored drinks and foods will have a more difficult time penetrating the surface. This means you can enjoy your favorite beverages like coffee without worrying much about discoloring your smile. That said, you should remember that veneers aren’t completely stain-proof. If you overindulge in dark-pigmented meals and drinks, you can end up staining them over time, especially if you sip on acidic beverages for extended periods. To avoid any complications with discoloration, be sure to enjoy these beverages in moderation!
Can You Whiten Veneers?
Your veneers will be made of non-porous, highly stain-resistant porcelain, providing you with a virtually permanent teeth-whitening solution that can last many years. However, if you begin to notice discoloration in your smile, you won’t expect professional brightening treatments to have any effect on your results. The best way to address the issue is to have them shaded or replaced altogether. If you’d brighten your smile, be sure to undergo teeth whitening before receiving your veneers, that way your porcelain shells can be color matched to your natural teeth.
