Veneers – Arlington, TX

How Many Veneers Will I Need?

The “right” number of veneers varies depending on each person’s unique smile needs. The goal of this treatment is for all your visible teeth to match. Many people get 6-8 veneers to create a beautiful, symmetrical smile. Others might need as many as 10-12. Also, veneers can often benefit people who need to just cover a single cracked or broken tooth.

What Can I Eat with Veneers?

At the end of your initial visit with your cosmetic dentist in Arlington, you’ll receive temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth while you wait for your permanent ones to be made. During this period, you’ll need to avoid hard foods like ice, raw fruits and vegetables, or candy because they can damage your temporary restorations. The good news is once your permanent veneers are in place, you won’t need to be quite as cautious anymore. However, it’s still a good idea to be careful when eating sticky, dark-colored, crunchy, hot, or cold foods and drinks. Plus, you’ll want to drink alcohol sparingly because it can weaken the bonding material holding your restorations in place.

How Are Veneers Different Than Crowns?

While veneers only attach to the front of teeth, crowns cover an entire tooth. Veneers are primarily used for cosmetic purposes or minor shape corrections when the tooth is mostly intact. In contrast, crowns protect worn or cracked teeth, or restore those that have undergone a root canal. Also, veneers are only about one millimeter in thickness while crowns are usually twice as thick. Finally, veneers typically don’t show a gum margin after several years the way crowns often do.

Are Veneers Permanent?

Since veneers eventually require replacement, they’re not considered permanent. However, the process for getting them is irreversible. In preparation, our cosmetic dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel to ensure successful treatment. But unlike hair and nails, removed enamel will never grow back. That’s why when teeth are prepared this way, they will always need to be covered with veneers or crowns.

Do Veneers Give You a Lisp?

This is a common concern among patients who are considering veneers. If it’s something you’ve been worried about as well, you can have peace of mind knowing that the thin shells of porcelain are custom-made to ensure they don’t look or feel bulky. Plus, they are secured onto the front-facing surface of your teeth, not the back. At the most, you’ll experience a slight (and temporary!) change to your speaking patterns as your tongue adjusts, but it won’t take long for you to sound like your usual self again.

Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?

Yes. In fact, one of the many reasons that veneers are so widely loved is that they are crafted from stain-resistant materials, like dental porcelain. So, patients can enjoy their morning or afternoon coffee without worrying too much about stubborn stains resurfacing.

Important reminder: Not all of your teeth will be covered with veneers. To maintain a bright, beautiful, and balanced smile, it’s important that you take certain precautions, like using a straw and rinsing your mouth with clean water when you’re done.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

In addition to being extremely versatile and lifelike, veneers are long-lasting. In fact, one study by Layton and another study by Beier found that more than 90% lasted for 10 years or longer. The key to prolonging the lifespan of yours is prioritizing healthy habits, like brushing and flossing consistently, exercising caution with crunchy foods, and scheduling a dental cleaning every six months at our Arlington office.

What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?

To prep your teeth for veneers in Arlington, Dr. Cabansag will remove a sliver of enamel. Rest assured, this does not increase your risk of dental problems, like tooth decay. Of course, you still need to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home, including brushing twice a day (for two full minutes each time). After all, even though your veneers are decay-resistant, the teeth underneath are not!

Can Veneers Fix Crooked Teeth?

Actually, yes! So, if you are having trouble smiling confidently due to overcrowding, braces may not be the only solution. If your case is relatively minor, then there’s a chance that we can give you the straight smile you desire with veneers. Not only does this allow us to enhance the size, shape, and shade of your teeth, but the entire treatment process can usually be completed in just two or three visits. So, you won’t have to wait 2+ years to have the gorgeous grin you’ve been dreaming of!

Can You Whiten Veneers?

Sadly, whitening treatments do not work on veneers. So, if there comes a time when you are no longer happy with the color of yours, then you should schedule an appointment with us. That way, we can learn more about your aesthetic concerns and goals before determining if we should have them replaced or shaded.