Cosmetic dentistry offers patients with several restorative solutions to improve the look of their teeth. There has long been a demand for aesthetic specialization in the field of dentistry. Mostly because a person’s smile has a huge impact on their overall appearance. Though many individual options exist, dental medicine has only recently advanced to provide patients with a comprehensive solution. Now, dental laminates serve as an all-in-one solution that addresses a multitude of cosmetic issues.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over 3 million veneers were placed in the United States in 2022 alone. This number is up from 2.75 million in 2021 and only 1 million in 2010, showing that veneer procedures are becoming increasingly popular. Veneers offer a fast and effective way to improve the appearance of one’s smile and have become one of the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatments in America.
- What are Dental Veneers?
- What are Dental Porcelain Veneers?
- Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
- Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
- The Advantages of Dental Veneers
- The Porcelain Veneer Process
- Reasons your veneers need replacing
- Dental veneers expectations
- Dental Veneers Procedure Recovery and Post-Procedure Care
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTAL VENEERS
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental laminates are thin, tooth-shaped laminates or shells that are made of strong and durable porcelain; they are bonded to the front of your existing teeth to create a more attractive and healthy smile and provide long-lasting correction for aesthetic blemishes. These veneers are as thin as contact lenses and don’t overcrowd the mouth since a small part of the enamel has been buffed off to keep them looking natural.
Dr. Gaertner will help patients customize their veneer procedure in Kendall, down to picking the color of the new teeth. Veneers can be performed as partial or full additions. Patients can choose to alter a single tooth or all of their visible teeth surfaces. Generally, costs are based on the number of teeth receiving veneers.
What are Dental Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain (a ceramic material) that cover the front surface of teeth. They’re used to improve the appearance of teeth and create a more attractive smile. They’re typically bonded to the front surfaces of teeth, making them permanent. However, they can be removed when necessary, such as after tooth decay or gum recession.
There are two types of veneers: laminate veneers and direct composite veneers. Laminate veneers are made of several different materials, including plastic, metal, and ceramics, while direct composite veneers are made entirely out of porcelain.
Laminate veneers typically enhance the upper front teeth while direct composite veneers are more often used on lower teeth. Professional installation and removal are required for each type of veneer.
Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
To be considered a candidate for porcelain veneers, you must meet certain criteria. These include having healthy gums, no decay, and a minimum number of teeth (usually four) that require repair. Prospective patients of veneer application with our cosmetic dentist in Kendall must have their unique case evaluated through a dental exam, X-rays, photographs, and any other steps the dentist feels are necessary. Generally, cosmetic dentists will collect an impression of the teeth to submit to the veneer laboratory as well as a bite registration to ensure the corrections maintain or improve the bite. Dr. Gaertner will determine if the teeth are structurally sound and healthy enough to undergo the process. Most people are suitable candidates for the procedure.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
You can dramatically improve the appearance of your mouth without having to undergo invasive dental treatments or get replacement teeth. Veneer enhancements can help you achieve incredible results and bring new confidence to your natural smile. Some of the potential advantages of porcelain veneer treatments include:
- Improvements in the look of chips, spaces, or gaps between the teeth
- Improvements in the appearance of deep stains and discolorations
- Improve tooth alignment
- Better maintenance of the mouth and dental health
Furthermore, they can be used together with other treatments, including tooth whitening or dental crowning, for a more dramatic improvement. This procedure is also often included in a complete Smile Makeover. We’re dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service and the most satisfying outcomes. This is why choosing us means having access to our top-notch staff and state-of-the-art equipment.
The Advantages of Dental Veneers
Dr. Gaertner can give Miami patients a new smile through cosmetic techniques for remedying dysfunctional or disfigurement of the teeth. Veneers can correct most anomalies of the teeth with a minimally-invasive method on an outpatient basis. They provide one unified solution to multiple aesthetic troubles.
Dental Veneers are Stain Resistant
While natural teeth stain over time due to certain foods and beverages or lifestyle choices such as smoking, porcelain veneers maintain their color indefinitely. Patients can enjoy a brighter smile for the duration of the life of the laminates. This saves patients from costly bleaching treatments, special whitening toothpaste, and the sensitivity that occurs from these whitening solutions.
Dental Veneers are Long-Lasting
Porcelain veneers are expected to last for 15 years or longer and often surpass the life of necessary dental work such as crowns and fillings. While other people’s teeth will face wear and tear over time, porcelain veneers maintain their appearance. Unlike natural teeth, porcelain veneers will not age with time.
Dental Veneers treat numerous Cosmetic Issues
Once dental laminates were developed, cosmetic dentistry took a huge step forward. Many different aesthetic issues can be corrected with veneers and cosmetic dentists can now offer patients better results than ever before. Here are some of the ways veneers can improve the look of the teeth:
- Reduce gaps
- Correct misaligned or crooked teeth
- Repair a chipped tooth and fractures
- Improve overall shape and size
- Brighten and whiten tooth color with stain-resistant porcelain
Dental Laminates are a Non-Surgical Procedure
Some tooth restorations, like dental implants, require dental surgery, while porcelain veneers offer surface corrections without surgery. There is no extensive downtime or recovery time. Patients will notice an immediate improvement and a beautiful smile after their procedure. Porcelain veneers also bypass many of the risks of dental surgery.
No maintenance is required for Dental Laminates
One of the greatest advantages of having veneers fixed to the teeth is that patients do not need to follow special dental care instructions to keep their teeth looking great. Patients should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily and scheduling semi-annual check-ups for their veneers.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
In order to have their veneers created, Bliss Dental patients must visit the Kendall area office to provide an impression of their teeth. The teeth may be cleaned or polished beforehand to ensure that the surfaces of the teeth are properly cast, without any debris like food affecting the casting. The patient’s impressions are submitted to a dental laboratory where a team will create the porcelain shells, which can take a week or longer. The veneers will be created to fit over the chosen teeth with some extra material for shaping.
The next step is the tooth preparation process that removes some of the enamel, or the outer covering of the tooth. Some patients may require local anesthesia for this step. Removing some of the enamel ensures a more natural appearance. This allows the veneer to be situated flat on the tooth structure and align properly with the gum tissue. The material removed is typically equivalent to the thickness of the veneer, so there is no significant difference in the thickness of the tooth following treatment with newer laminates.
Once Dr. Gaertner completes the tooth preparation process, he can apply temporary veneers to the teeth with removable glue. The bond is significantly weaker than with the glue used during permanent bonding, and patients must take care when brushing their teeth. It will be recommended that they avoid certain foods until the permanent veneers are placed. By wearing these temporary enhancements, patients can determine what their aesthetic preferences are, while still enjoying an improvement to their smile.
Second Appointments
When the permanent veneers are ready for placement, patients will schedule a second appointment to undergo the procedure. Then, the temporary veneers are removed and the new veneers are fitted over each tooth to ensure an ideal fit. Dr. Gaertner can begin the process by using water-based glue so patients can test out the newly-created porcelain shells. He will make adjustments guided by the patient’s preferences and his own experience as a cosmetic dentist. The teeth are then cleaned and each dental laminate will be fixed into place over the corresponding tooth.
The results are instant, and patients will leave the Bliss Dental office with a renewed, beautiful smile. Dr. Gaertner will ensure the patient can properly floss, and that all glue and dental debris are cleared from the teeth.
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- Joe Diedrich
Reasons your veneers need replacing
If the veneering composite is not properly fitted, it can cause germs and particles to enter the gap between your natural tooth and the composite. This potentially leads to severe dental problems if left untreated.
The veneer has been scratched or damaged
Porcelain veneers are extremely durable, but can still crack if damaged by an accident or injury. If this occurs, it needs to be repaired so that your natural tooth enamel doesn’t get damaged.
Decay occurs naturally in teeth
You may be able to hide some of the problems by covering the front part of your tooth, but there will always be a small gap between the veneer and the natural tooth. If decay or buildup occurs around the gum line, the underlying natural tooth will need repair, and the veneer will eventually need replacing.
Tooth staining of neighboring teeth
While veneers are made so that you can keep your white, alluring smile, the neighboring teeth might not be as lucky. Over time, they can get stained, making a noticeable difference. In order to fix this problem, the veneers would need to be replaced to make them match again.
Dental veneers expectations
The dental laminate treatment can usually be done in two appointments over a span of six weeks. The appointments are comprehensive and may take several days to complete. Dental clinics typically feature amenities that may include sedatives and audio/visual distractions. Dental spas even provide massage and other relaxation techniques to help you feel at ease.
The diagnostic and exam phases are vital and identify any oral health issues that must first be dealt with before veneering.
Your dentist will use a color guide to help you choose the right tooth shade. Digital imaging technology can provide a glimpse of your expected results. Before and after photos will show you examples of successful treatments. Once the diagnosis is complete and the custom design is ready, the veneer process will begin.
Dental Veneers Procedure Recovery and Post-Procedure Care
Regular visits to the dentist are essential for keeping healthy teeth and preventing tooth decay.
Aftercare is extremely important. If your chipped or fractured porcelains are not properly cared for, they may need to be replaced. Your dentist will inform you of the cost and additional time required to replace them.
To protect your gums, avoid hard foods like nuts or bones, and don’t use your teeth to open any packaging. Your dental hygienist may also provide advisement concerning which foods can be hazardous for your teeth.
After your appointment, brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Be sure to use a gentle toothbrush and toothpaste. The chance of staining them with foods or drinks after the procedure has been completed is greatly reduced. However, if you’ve had any alcohol, caffeine, or sugary beverages within an hour before your appointment, then you may want to avoid brushing for at least two hours after the procedure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DENTAL VENEERS
Elective procedures are designed with comfort in mind because they are not generally performed out of necessity, but rather to reach a patient’s aesthetic goals. During the preparation process when the natural enamel is removed from the teeth, patients may opt to receive local anesthesia to control any discomfort, or they can elect sedation dentistry techniques.
A consultation with a cosmetic dentist will give you an estimate of the total price of the treatment. You may be able to save some money by choosing just one or two veneer treatments instead of a full mouth restoration. If you decide to go ahead with the entire procedure, you’ll probably need to wear temporary veneers until they’re ready to come off. Dental veneering costs vary widely depending on the material used for the restoration. Porcelain resins are the most expensive, composite veneer options are less expensive than porcelains, and gold veneer options are even cheaper than composite veneer options. However, these price differences don’t necessarily translate into better quality.
Dr. Gaertner can use various photographs for inspiration, but an individual’s anatomy will guide the placement of the porcelain laminates. By reviewing the patient’s existing teeth, examining his or her facial features, and learning about what look of the teeth they find attractive, Dr. Gaertner can shape the teeth to the desired size and shape. Veneers can give almost anyone a beautiful smile.
Yes. Veneers are thin these days, but older versions were much thicker and bulkier and many patients are anxious to have them replaced. Dr. Gaertner will remove the original set of veneers to create an updated smile for the patient. Once the patient’s natural teeth are visible once again, the doctor will take an impression to send to the laboratory. Temporary veneers can be placed until the permanent veneers arrive at Bliss Dental. In some cases, the dentist may ask if patients have pictures of the way their teeth looked prior to the first procedure, in the event that dental records are not available.
Many people who undergo cosmetic dental procedures want to improve the look of their teeth but wish to avoid artificial-looking changes. Dr. Gaertner will ensure that the veneers maintain some of the characteristics of natural teeth, which are not perfectly shaped. Some details in the teeth can be created in the veneers, which include slight color variation, minor differences in the ends of the teeth, and the way they fit into the gum line. Additionally, because some enamel is removed from the natural teeth to prevent a bulky look, and because veneers are shaped from impressions of the patient’s own teeth, laminates tend to look very realistic.
Patients may opt to have a part of a tooth fixed with a partial laminate, or the entire tooth can be altered through a full veneer placement. Additionally, patients may choose to have only some of the visible teeth repaired through this treatment option, if they desire. Because it can be difficult to color-match natural teeth and veneers, and because natural teeth will change color over time whereas laminates will not, this option should be carefully considered.
If you live near Kendall, FL, Bliss Dental offers porcelain veneers among its services and is conveniently located at 8501 SW 124th Ave Ste 104 Kendall, FL 33183
While the porcelain itself is resistant to the bacterial formation, the remainder of the tooth remains susceptible to damage and decay. Patients should continue to practice good oral hygiene to avoid dental issues.
While individual policies and companies vary, most see veneers as cosmetic enhancement and not a necessary procedure and will not cover the cost of their placement..
Composite bonding is when tooth-colored material is used to fill cavities or correct small imperfections in the teeth. For small chips or minor wear of the teeth, composite bonding may be an ideal solution. It can be performed in the office without much preparation, and the material is readily available. Porcelain is a much stronger material and is often reserved for more extensive corrections. A patient may be a better candidate for veneers over bonding if they dislike the overall look of their teeth or want to improve large parts of their tooth or teeth.
Why Choose Dr. Gaertner of Bliss Dental
As the son of a dentist, Dr. Gaertner‘s passion for dentistry began at an early age. Following high school, Dr. Gaertner attended Nova Southeastern University in South Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology, then graduated with his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. Dr. Gaertner has practiced dentistry in both the United States and his home country of Belgium and now calls the Miami area home.
He practices a variety of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, smile makeovers, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, root canal treatments, and Invisalign. Dr. Gaertner has also integrated the use of dental lasers and Botox injections into his state-of-the-art dental and oral care practice.
Bliss Dental is a full-service facility, offering top-notch compassionate care and providing services that range from routine dental care and endodontics to cosmetic and restorative dentistry services that enhance patients’ smiles.
Dr. Gaertner’s South Florida dental clinic, Bliss Dental can be reached via phone (305) 274-6500, or email through the Bliss Dental Contact Form. Contact our Miami, FL dental office to learn more about dental veneers and schedule the smile makeover you deserve.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015
