Dental Veneers in Wauwatosa
If you are unhappy with your smile due to stains, minor chips, and cracks, or small gaps in your teeth, veneers can give you your confidence back! Wauwatosa dentist Dr. McCue has advanced training in planning and smile design of esthetic restorations like veneers. At McCue Dental Health, we will plan every aspect of your treatment to make sure your veneer shape, length, shade, and position perfectly match your face shape, proportion and need for lip support.
Veneers are a big decision, and Dr. McCue’s methods allow you to see what your teeth will look like well before your treatment is finished. Dr. McCue does this by taking advanced diagnostic records and photographs. We keep you well informed throughout the whole process and make sure you feel that you are in the driver seat of your dental health. Call us today to learn more!
What are Veneers?
Step 1: Initial Consultation
If you’re interested in porcelain veneers, the first step is to consult with Wauwatosa cosmetic dentist Dr. McCue to see if this cosmetic treatment is the right choice for you. Veneers can treat a wide variety of cosmetic issues, such as:
- Gaps in teeth
- Slightly crooked or misaligned teeth
- Major tooth stains
- Minor chips and damage to teeth
- Small or misshapen teeth
- Teeth that are pointy or otherwise unappealing
If you mostly suffer from these issues, veneers could be the best way to restore your smile. However, if you have more severe tooth alignment issues, you may be in need of a different treatment, such as Invisalign, before you can have veneers applied.
Veneers should not be used to restore damaged or infected teeth. If you have one or more teeth that have been damaged, crowns may be required to restore and preserve tooth structure. During your initial consultation, Dr. McCue will ask you about your smile goals, examine your mouth, and help you determine if veneers are the best way to restore your smile.
Step 2: Preparation And Imaging
After this, molds and images of your teeth are taken by Dr. McCue. You’ll be sent home with a set of temporary veneers to protect your teeth, and you’ll come back in 2-3 weeks when your veneers arrive at our office.
Step 3: Your Veneers Are Built
Step 4: Veneer Application
Then, your teeth will be cleaned to prepare them for veneer application. Dr. McCue applies a specialized type of dental cement to the tooth, and each veneer is applied. Ultraviolet light is used to harden the cement, and then your new veneers will be buffed and polished, completing the procedure.
Step 5: Care And Follow-Up
Your veneers do not require any lengthy recovery time, as the procedure is non-invasive. You can eat and chew normally within hours of the procedure.
Usually, veneers will last somewhere between 10-15 years with proper care. To care for your veneers, just brush and floss your teeth normally, and see Dr. McCue for regular 6-month oral exams and teeth cleanings, to ensure that your mouth is healthy. Contact us today!
Am I a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Anyone with reasonably healthy teeth and gums is an excellent candidate for veneers regardless of age. However, veneers are especially useful for people with stained or discolored teeth. Dentists will use veneers to hide the discolored teeth giving you a beautiful white smile. They may also recommend veneers for people with chips and cracks on their teeth to hide these imperfections.
People with slightly misaligned teeth are also excellent candidates for the procedure. Veneers can help align the teeth, making them look straighter. You’re also a good candidate for the treatment if you have large gaps between your teeth. Veneers can close the gaps for more uniform teeth and a better-looking smile.
However, you may be unsuitable for veneers if you’re obsessed with biting your nails and suffer from chronic bruxism. The pressure exerted on the veneers while doing both is enough to weaken and break them. In such cases, dentists might suggest alternatives like dental bonding, crowns, or teeth whitening for discolored teeth.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Yes, veneers are permanent dental treatments, but this doesn’t mean they’ll last a lifetime. The term “permanent” in our case means that you can’t remove and install the veneers by yourself. The veneers stay on your teeth for years unless a dentist removes them professionally.
That said, porcelain veneers last between ten to twenty years while composite resin veneers last around four to eight years. Factors determining the longevity of your veneers include the type of veneers you opt for and the dentist’s proficiency. Other factors are your oral hygiene, bite alignments, and lifestyle habits.
You can extend the lifespan of your veneers by brushing and flossing your teeth daily. Steer clear of hard foods like ice and raw carrots that may crack or fracture your veneers. Also, schedule regular dental visits to clean your veneers and check their structural integrity.
How Much Do Veneers Typically Cost?
The cost of veneers varies from one clinic to the next, however, you should expect to pay $800 to $1,800 for each veneer. Porcelain veneers are typically more expensive than composite resin ones but are stronger and last much longer. They are also ultra-thin and mimic the tooth’s natural appearance.
It’s worth noting that the aforementioned price refers to a single veneer covering the tooth. Patients sometimes need two or more veneers to hide their dental imperfections. Multiply the cost of a single veneer by how many you need to get and how much you should expect to pay for your veneers.
Unfortunately, veneers are cosmetic treatments and aren’t covered by most insurance plans. Plus, you’ll also have to pay the same amount years later after the veneers wear out. Find a dental clinic with a suitable payment plan to ease the financial burden of the treatment.