The veneer originated nearly one hundred years ago during the early days of the film industry, even though it has only become more popular in the last few decades. Veneers were invented by Dr. Charles Pincus, a famed Hollywood dentist, in the late 1920s in order to enhance actors’ and actresses’ smiles and has become a trademark of Hollywood beauty. The lack of technology, however, prevented him from permanently attaching the porcelain. The modern era of adhesive dentistry was ushered in by Dr. Michael Bunocore in the 1960s. He etched teeth with a mild acid solution to strengthen bonding surfaces for dental sealants. Dr. Bunocore’s techniques were applied to porcelain veneers in 1982 by JR Calamia and RJ Simonsen, so people at any porcelain veneers dental center had access to Hollywood’s stunning smiles.
Porcelain Veneers Overview
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of medical-grade ceramic placed over the front surface of a tooth to instantly transform its appearance. Each cosmetic enhancement is individually crafted from advanced materials that closely resemble natural dental enamel. The versatility of veneers allows dentists to make a wide range of cosmetic corrections, including teeth whitening and orthodontic adjustments. In cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers are among the most popular and trusted procedures due to their lifelike appearance and range of functions.
Veneers Today
With the development of dental technology over the past 30 years, veneers have become more and more convenient than ever before. New types of porcelain are stronger and more reflective. Using digital imaging systems, dentists can create same-day restorations nearly identical to patients’ natural teeth in shape and color. The combination of veneers with other advanced dental treatments, such as teeth whitening and dental crowns, can provide patients with a truly stunning smile and comprehensive cosmetic results.
Types of Porcelain Veneers
There are many types of ceramic that can be used to make veneers at our porcelain veneers dental center, including:
Pressed ceramic
In general, these types of veneers are quite sturdy, but they tend to be thicker than other types.
Stacked ceramic
Stacking ceramic veneers allows ceramists to create veneers that are more precisely customized to each patient’s needs.
Lithium disilicate
Due to the strength of this new type of dental porcelain, even severe bruxers may be able to benefit from veneers made of this material. A lithium disilicate veneer can only be created using CAD/CAM technology.
Candidates
Typically, porcelain veneers are chosen by patients who want to address a variety of structural or cosmetic issues with their teeth, such as:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Gaps between teeth
- Minor misalignment
- Discoloration
For porcelain veneers to be placed, patients are required to:
- Maintain good oral and periodontal health
- Maintain proper oral hygiene and care
- Identify their cosmetic goals, communicate them to their dentists at their initial consultations, and have realistic expectations
- Have a sufficient amount of healthy enamel, since veneers usually require the removal of a thin layer of enamel
Determining Candidacy
In order to determine whether a patient is a good candidate for veneers, he or she must schedule an appointment with a skilled cosmetic dentist. A dentist can determine a patient’s suitability for this treatment after evaluating the patient’s health history, current dental health, and enamel condition. Patients who do not qualify for treatment may also be recommended alternative treatments.
Cost
A porcelain veneer typically costs several hundred dollars per tooth, although costs vary from patient to patient. Veneer placement costs are influenced by several factors, including how many veneers a patient opts to have placed. These factors include:
Type of veneers
The dental porcelain used to make veneers comes in a variety of types. It is usually more expensive to purchase the newest, most realistic and most durable material as opposed to older products. Veneers can also be more expensive if advanced placement procedures are performed. It is common for veneers to cost more when they are no-prep or CEREC® fabricated.
Geographic location
There are regional differences in dental treatment costs, as there are in most aspects of living. In a less-populated area in the middle of the country, veneers will typically cost less than veneers in a major metropolis along the east or west coast.
Dentist Experience
In general, highly experienced cosmetic dentists charge more for veneer placement than their less experienced counterparts.
To determine the exact price of veneers, you need to schedule an appointment with the dentist at your convenient porcelain veneers dental center.
Dental Veneers as an Investment
The cost of veneers is usually higher than that of other cosmetic procedures, but most patients who receive these enhancements consider the investment to be well worth it. The versatility of veneers allows patients to obtain the benefits of teeth whitening, orthodontic treatment, and dental crowns in one single treatment. As well as offering extremely lifelike results, veneers are also incredibly durable. After receiving their veneers, patients often get a sense of confidence they haven’t felt in years.
Payment
In most cases, veneers are not covered by insurance because they are considered cosmetic procedures. There are, however, some instances when health insurance plans cover at least part of the cost. For example, if a patient has had a filling or a similar restorative procedure, insurance may provide some coverage, as it falls under the label of post-procedural care. In order to qualify for insurance coverage for veneers, a patient’s dentist must submit a preauthorization, X-rays, photographs, and narrative describing how veneers will enhance quality of life and dental health. The replacement of an old, deteriorating veneer may also be eligible for insurance coverage.
At AFAM porcelain veneers dental center, we are dedicated to providing you with the state-of-the-art care you deserve. Give us a call today if you would like to learn more about veneers and other dental services we offer.
Complete our online form online or give us a call at (718) 485-4111 to schedule your consultation today.
