Veneers in Green Hills, TN
Your smile says a lot about you and how you feel about yourself. Unfortunately, if you are like one-third of adults, it could be saying the wrong thing. If cosmetic imperfections like discoloration, chips, or gaps have left you feeling insecure, you can get the smile that you have always wanted with porcelain veneers offered by our Green Hills dentist. Using a simple and minimally invasive procedure, you can achieve drastic, natural-looking results that will last.
How Can Veneers Help Me?
Porcelain veneers have quickly become one of the most preferred cosmetic treatments because they can be used to correct an array of imperfections. By attaching the thin shells to the front surfaces of your teeth, your flaws are instantly hidden. This makes them the perfect solution for treating a diversity of issues, including:
- Dark stains and tooth discoloration
- Chips and cracks
- Shorter than average or abnormally-shaped teeth
- Minor alignment issues, like gaps
When using porcelain to improve your smile, you will benefit from a minimally invasive procedure. Since it is thinner than other materials, less of your tooth’s structure is removed during the bonding process. In addition, it closely mimics the appearance of enamel to look natural. Best of all, it is stain-resistant, so your new smile will stay bright.
Am I a Candidate for Veneers?
Generally, if you have good oral health, you are a candidate for veneers; however, you will require a thorough consultation to ensure that they can correct your individual concerns. In addition, you must be committed to maintaining your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist regularly for a cleaning and checkup. To prevent damage to the veneers, it is best if you do not have certain bad habits, like using your teeth as tools or biting your nails.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
With the right aftercare, your veneers can last for an average of 10 years, but it is not uncommon for them to last longer if you care for them properly. To promote their longevity, it is best to brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a nonabrasive toothpaste. This is important, so you do not cause scratches to develop on their surfaces. In addition, do not forget to floss every night before going to bed.
To prevent your new smile from chipping or cracking, it is best to avoid biting into overly hard foods. You will also want to avoid using your teeth as tools, such as to open packages. You will also not want to chew on inedible objects, like pens, pencils, or your nails.
In addition to caring for them at home, do not forget to see your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. During your appointment, your veneers will also be checked to ensure that they are still bonded well to your teeth and undamaged. If one becomes compromised, it can easily be replaced.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
When it comes to dental work, you tend to get what you pay for. Admittedly, veneers in Green Hills may come with a higher price than many of our other cosmetic dentistry services. However, it’s important that you choose the right cosmetic service that will help you meet your unique smile goals.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
Your cosmetic dentist in Green Hills offers a wide variety of services designed to give you a smile you can feel proud of. Each of these treatments comes at a different cost and can accomplish different things for your appearance:
- Orthodontic treatment – Metal braces and clear aligners can dramatically shift your teeth, but they can also cost thousands of dollars. Not to mention, they’re a huge time investment and they cannot fix stained or misshapen teeth.
- Teeth whitening – Our professional teeth whitening system can brighten your smile quickly and is less expensive than orthodontic treatment, but it’s also limited in that it only improves the color of your teeth, not their size, shape, or position.
- Direct bonding – Although bonding is fast and inexpensive, it can only correct minor aesthetic flaws. The procedure will also have to be redone every five to ten years or so.
- Veneers – While veneers are not the cheapest cosmetic service, they are probably the most versatile. In just a few short appointments, veneers can transform virtually every aspect of your pearly whites (color, position, shape, and more) to give you a Hollywood smile. Plus, as we touched on earlier, your veneers could last for a decade (possibly even two) as long as you take good care of them.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Because veneers are usually considered an elective procedure, dental insurance tends to not cover it. However, our experienced team members can look at your plan and file your claims for you, just to make sure you’re getting all of the coverage you’re entitled to.
We also offer other options to help the cost of veneers in Green Hills fit into your budget:
- Third-party financing – CareCredit and Lending Club have helped countless Americans afford their medical and dental care through payment plans that break up the cost of treatment into affordable monthly installments. Many of these plans have very low or even zero interest for eligible patients!
- VIP Club – As an alternative to traditional insurance, our in-house membership club helps make dental care more affordable. All you have to do is pay a low, flat fee. Not only does this cover your preventive care (like cleanings, exams, and X-rays) at 100%, but you also get a 20% on all other services, including veneers. Plus, there are no waiting periods, deductibles, or annual maximums to worry about.
Ultimately, the only way to find out how much your veneers will cost is to contact us and schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you smile more brightly!
Veneer FAQs
Although you’re excited to get the flawless smile you’ve always wanted, it’s normal to have several questions before deciding on porcelain veneers. Dr. Kirby will take the time to explain the process and address your concerns during your initial consultation. In the meantime, here are the top porcelain veneers FAQs in Green Hills to help ease your worries.
Do I need braces before I can get veneers?
If you have gapped, overcrowded, or rotated teeth, you’re not alone. Alignment issues are a leading source of embarrassment. When you combine them with other aesthetic concerns, like discoloration, it’s easy to feel insecure about your smile. Did you know porcelain veneers can also treat certain alignment problems?
You can close gaps and cover minor alignment concerns without spending several months wearing braces when choosing veneers. Unfortunately, there are some limitations. If your alignment and bite issues are severe, you may need to straighten your teeth in Green Hills before getting your veneers. Don’t worry, there are discreet solutions to move your teeth, like Invisalign. You can have the straight smile you need for veneers in as few as 12 months.
Will I need additional procedures?
Each case differs. As a result, you may need additional procedures depending on your oral health and the goals you want to achieve. Although certain treatments often go hand-in-hand with veneers, like teeth whitening or gum contouring, they aren’t always necessary. Dr. Kirby will perform a thorough consultation and discuss your desired results to create a customized treatment plan. He will explain if veneers are all you need, or if there are additional procedures necessary to achieve your picture-perfect smile.
How many veneers will I need?
A veneer can be placed on a single tooth to improve its appearance; however, it’s often recommended patients treat the front 2, 4, or 8 teeth. This allows them to blend in seamlessly for more natural-looking results. Dr. Kirby will explain how many you will need during your initial consultation.
Are veneers painful?
Since veneers are made of porcelain, they are now thinner than ever. As a result, less of your enamel is removed during the bonding process, which makes the procedure minimally invasive. Although it isn’t always necessary, a local anesthetic can be used to ensure you don’t feel any pain or discomfort while transforming your teeth.
Can I use my dental insurance to pay for veneers?
Unfortunately, many insurance carriers will not cover porcelain veneers because they are considered an elective treatment. If they are necessary to restore your oral health, your insurance may pay a portion of their cost. We will work on your behalf with your insurance company to maximize your benefits.
A member of our team will explain any remaining balance and your payment options, like using third-party financing with CareCredit. You are given the funds you need for the veneers, which you will repay using a plan that accommodates your budget. We will help you find the solutions you need to get the beautiful smile you deserve without breaking the bank.
Are Veneers Permanent?
No, veneers are not permanent. They can, however, last for upwards of 30 years if you care for them properly. That’s why our Nashville dental team strongly recommends being proactive by committing to a solid oral hygiene routine at home and coming into our office twice a year for a checkup and cleaning. This will help keep your veneers (as well as your teeth and gums) in tip-top shape both now and decades from now.
What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?
First, the teeth that are being treated are “prepped,” which means Dr. Kirby will remove a small portion of your enamel. Then, the veneers are bonded to the front-facing surface. Since your teeth are still exposed and bacteria can slide underneath your veneer, it’s of the utmost importance that you continue to care for your teeth. That starts with brushing for a full two minutes each morning and evening and extends to consistently flossing and rinsing with mouthwash.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
No, veneers don’t come with any specific dietary restrictions. With that said, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat and drink since, like your natural teeth, they can chip or crack from hard and crunchy foods. As a result, patients are encouraged to exercise caution when eating tortilla chips, pretzels, taco shells, and the like. Also, it’s smart to fill your diet with smile-friendly foods that will help keep your teeth strong, like yogurt, fruit, and vegetables.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
Luckily, you don’t have to give up coffee just because you got veneers. In fact, this cosmetic dental service is actually made from stain-resistant materials, like porcelain, making them a great choice if you like dark-colored beverages like wine, soda, and, of course, coffee.
Do Veneers Feel Like Real Teeth?
They do! This is largely due to the fact that each one is custom-made, ensuring the veneers don’t look bulky or feel unnatural in your mouth. However, it’s also worth noting that the materials they are made from are selected because they come in a range of lifelike shades, don’t irritate your gums, and feel incredibly smooth. Simply put, the answer is “yes,” veneers do feel like real teeth.
Can You Whiten Veneers?
No, you can’t whiten veneers with teeth whitening treatments. However, you certainly can replace your current ones with a lighter shade! You’re more than welcome to schedule an appointment with our Green Hills cosmetic dentist so we can learn more about your aesthetic concerns and determine what treatment options are available.
Get an Attractive Smile Today!
Make sure your smile says the right thing about you. Contact our office today to see if veneers can help you.