Veneers – San Marcos, TX
Correcting Chips, Stains, and More
The smile you want is not always the smile you have, due in no small part to discolored spots, small chips, and other imperfections that can appear on your teeth as time passes. However, creating the gleaming grin of your dreams is often well within your reach thanks to veneers, which can be used to correct multiple flaws all at once! For more information about veneers, get in touch with our team at San Marcos Gentle Dental today.
Why Choose San Marcos Gentle Dental for Veneers?
- Natural-Looking, Reliable Materials
- Advanced Smile Design Software
- Excellent Customer Service
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are different from the crowns that you may be more familiar with. A crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth. A veneer, on the other hand, is a thin sheath and is only placed on the front of the tooth. The shade of the veneer is carefully chosen to match your other teeth so that it won’t be obvious that you’ve had cosmetic dental work done.
You may be a candidate for veneers if you have:
- Teeth that are slightly chipped or cracked.
- Any stains on your enamel that you can’t get rid of with teeth whitening.
- Teeth that are unusually short or are visibly more worn down than normal.
- Small yet noticeable gaps between specific teeth.
- A slightly crooked smile.
The Process of Getting Veneers
If we determine that you’re a good candidate for veneers during your consultation, then we will move on to the next step: solidifying the details of your treatment plan. This is when we will determine how many you need as well as the ideal size, shape, and shade of each one.
Next, we will “prep” your teeth by removing a sliver of enamel. We’ll also take impressions of your teeth so the lab artisans can begin working on your custom treatment plan. In the meantime, we’ll secure a temporary set in place, allowing you to “test drive” your new smile.
At your final visit, we will replace your temporary veneers with your permanent ones. At that point, your dream smile will be yours!
The Benefits of Veneers
Veneers in San Marcos allow you to make big changes to your smile in just two appointments; in many cases, you can address all of your aesthetic issues in one fell swoop. They’re considered more conservative than dental crowns since not as much enamel needs to be removed to place them. And of course, there’s the fact that they can last 15 years or more with proper maintenance, ensuring that you’ll get plenty of mileage out of your more dazzling grin.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Although we welcome dental insurance, most providers don’t cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry treatments, like veneers. Don’t let that worry you, though – there are several other financial solutions that are available at our office. To start, you can break up the total price of your smile makeover into smaller, more manageable chunks with CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. If you’d like more details, simply ask a friendly member of our team when you call to schedule your appointment.
Veneer FAQs
Are Veneers Permanent?
No, veneers in San Marcos are not permanent. However, they can last for 10+ years if you care for them properly. That starts with committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home and extends to coming to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Additionally, you should avoid doing anything that could cause them to break, like chewing on ice cubes or biting your nails.
Can Insurance Cover Veneers?
If you are insured and want to pursue a straighter, brighter, or more symmetrical smile, then you might be curious if dental insurance providers usually cover the cost of veneers. The answer is typically “no.” With that said, you shouldn’t hesitate to read through the fine print on your plan if you haven’t already.
Important reminder: There are other ways to make the cost of veneers more affordable. So, if you don’t have dental insurance, let us know! From there, we can discuss the other financial solutions that are available, like CareCredit flexible financing.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
While your temporary veneers are in place, you’ll need to stick to a soft foods diet. However, once your final ones are in place, you won’t have to abide by the same restrictions. All we ask is that you steer clear of extremely crunchy and sticky snacks, like hard pretzels and taffy. Additionally, you should limit your intake of cavity-causing foods (i.e., chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, lollipops).
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
Since veneers are crafted from stain-resistant materials, like dental porcelain, you can continue to drink coffee! Just make sure to use a straw and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water when you’re done. Measures like these will go a long way to maintaining the bright, balanced appearance of your smile.
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
That depends on your aesthetic concerns and smile goals! For example, do you want to fix a large chip on one of your front teeth? If that’s the case, then you may only need one. Of course, if you want to conceal permanent stains, noticeable gaps, and other common dental imperfections, creating a completely new look in the process, then you will likely need 10-12.
Can Veneers Be Whitened?
No, veneers cannot be whitened. The reason for this is simple: they are crafted from artificial materials, like dental porcelain, which don’t respond well to whitening treatments. The good news is that veneers are stain-resistant. So, with the right habits in place (i.e., brushing twice a day, using a straw when drinking coffee, scheduling a dental cleaning every six months), they should maintain their bright, beautiful appearance.