Having a smile that you’re not in love with can cause self-esteem issues for both men and women. When meeting new people, often you’re judged on your overall persona and that includes your smile (or lack thereof).

When you’re not in love with your smile, there are cosmetic dentistry fixes you can get including the overly popular cosmetic dentist procedure called veneers.

Veneers are a popular choice for everyday men and women along with celebrities who are in the public eye. Why? Because they transform your uneven teeth into an even playing field, they take any color imperfections and give you bright pearly whites, and they even help lift wrinkles away from areas around the mouth.

To determine if a cosmetic procedure is the best choice for you, schedule an appointment with your local dentist clinic. The dentist will examine your current teeth, give you a feedback, discuss the procedure – including costs, and then give you the choice to move forward or not.

While, I’m hopeful your local dental clinic will be able to answer all your pending questions, or you’ll do a little searching through forums online to find previous patients who have undergone the surgery, it might be even more helpful to get some advice from a dental laboratory (like us!) who create veneers daily.

Let’s discuss common questions our veneer dental laboratory technicians get from patients and dentists.

What are veneers?

Whether you’re talking or eating, you’re using your mouth, and not just your mouth but your teeth. This strain can cause your teeth to slowly get thinner or break over time. When that happens, you may be a great candidate for veneers. A veneer is a thin layer of material that is bonded to the front of your teeth. Veneers help correct misalignment, give a white appearance, and shape your teeth to the correct size.

How long do veneers last?

Depending on how much wear and tear you put your teeth through, will determine how long they will last. If you grind your teeth, they’ll wear sooner. Are you a smoker? Smoking causes veneers to change in color just like your tooth’s enamel. Use your teeth to open bottles? Getting veneers might be a good time to kiss that habit goodbye!

There are also different materials used to create your veneers and the weakest material is composite veneers. Talk with your dentist about which material their dental laboratory uses to help you know how much they will cost upfront and in the future if you need to replace a few.

How do I care for veneers?

Veneers are placed on the front of your current teeth and normally have a pearly white hue. That means they require the same cleaning care and stain prevention as real teeth. Protecting your veneer from harsh acid erosion, food and beverage stains, as well as from getting cracked or chipped will be crucial for your veneers to last. Pretty much, everything you do for your current teeth is the same as what you’ll do for your veneers. Talk to your cosmetic dentist for more care tips.

How much do veneers cost?

Having a cost plan in place before your procedure will help make the process go smooth. When you’ve had your initial dental clinic visit, make sure you discuss overall price with your dentist. This will ensure you have the financial means without hidden surprises.

With cosmetic dentistry, insurance does not typically cover veneer procedures. However, it doesn’t hurt to contact your insurance provider and ask. Every bit helps!

Getting veneers is a personal choice and only one that you can make. Having all the facts before you schedule your veneer cosmetic dentistry appointment will minimize any confusion or last minute surprises.

For recommendations on veneer cosmetic dentists in your area, give Pacific Aesthetic Dental Laboratory a call and we’d be happy to offer recommendations.