If you feel dissatisfied with some aspect of your smile, you may be considering dental veneers as a cosmetic treatment. A veneer is an extremely thin piece of ceramic that adheres to the front surface of one of your front teeth to cover a minor cosmetic problem. Some of the most common ones include teeth staining, a crack or chip in a tooth, or a misshapen tooth. A veneer is also an ideal treatment option when the gap between your two front teeth is larger than normal.
At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, we understand that you have many factors to consider when it comes to getting a veneer or another type of cosmetic dentistry procedure. We discuss some of the pros and cons below to help you make the best treatment decision possible.
Dental Veneers are Typically Irreversible
You may require shaping of some of your teeth to receive a veneer, which is a process that we can’t reverse. It all depends on your specific dental issue and whether the current shape of your teeth could support a new veneer or not. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s something to consider before you commit to the procedure.
Larger Out-of-Pockets Costs than Other Dental Procedures
Most dental insurers don’t cover this procedure since they consider it purely cosmetic. However, you should check with your individual provider for possible exceptions. Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry works with many dental insurance companies and can submit a request for benefits on your behalf. Even when you do need to pay the entire cost yourself, we accept several forms of credit as payment. We encourage you to apply for CareCredit if you don’t already have an account. You may be able to finance your veneer procedure interest-free as well as have several months to pay it off.
A Simple Procedure Completed in Only Two Visits
One thing that patients especially appreciate about dental veneers is that they only need to schedule two appointments to receive them. During the first session, Dr. Borham or Dr. Oushy take X-rays of your teeth as well as impressions. They use this information to direct our laboratory technicians to create your customized veneer. When you return for your second appointment, your dentist will coat your tooth with a dental bonding agent, apply the veneer, and use a curing light to force it to harden in place.
Veneers are Long-Lasting and Can Transform Your Smile
As long as you don’t subject your veneer to unnecessary stress, you can expect it to last 15 to 20 years before requiring replacement. It’s also important to commit to a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing every morning and evening. If it feels like your veneer has come loose, don’t hesitate to contact us for a touch-up.
Many patients say that the greatest benefit of veneers is that it gives them renewed confidence in their smile. They don’t think twice about smiling at others because they’re no longer embarrassed about a cosmetic problem.
Are you ready to learn more about transforming your smile with a dental veneer? Just contact our Las Cruces, New Mexico dental practice today to request a cosmetic dentistry consultation.