At Smile for Life Dental, we are committed to providing an array of cosmetic dental options to help enhance our patients’ smiles. Porcelain veneers are designed to do just that. This is a conservative, yet innovative procedure used to conceal gaps or other perceived smile imperfections. Designed to be placed over the front of existing teeth, porcelain veneers can help create a more balanced smile. They offer astounding cosmetic improvements in just two visits, giving your smile a definite “wow” factor without excessive or lengthy treatment plans.
Porcelain dental veneers are a common choice for patients looking to restore form and function to their teeth. The outcome can be a beautifully enhanced smile that looks natural and refreshed. This cosmetic procedure can correct the appearance of the following tooth imperfections:
Schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist, Dean Lodding, DDS, to improve the length, shape, and color of your teeth with porcelain veneers.
Dr. Lodding has been performing veneer procedures for more than 30 years, beginning in 1986.
Dr. Lodding has placed more than 12,000 veneers.
Smile for Life Dental utilizes advanced Envision A Smile Cosmetic Imaging to provide a simulated preview of potential results, allowing patients to see the possible outcome before the treatment is completed.
Patients have a 5-year limited warranty on the veneers from the time of placement, which covers chips, breaks, defects, or loss of the restoration.
Dr. Lodding has been a member of the esteemed American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) since 1986, and once served as the President of that organization.
As of July, 2019, Dr. Lodding is the only Accredited Member of the AACD in the Fox Valley area.
During your consultation, Dr. Lodding can determine if one or more of your teeth would benefit from porcelain veneers. He will conduct an oral examination, review your dental history, and determine your candidacy for this procedure. If Dr. Lodding believes porcelain veneers could be advantageous for your needs, he will design and create the best veneer(s) for your unique smile.
After they are created, the veneers will be applied to the front of the tooth or teeth using advanced dental bonding techniques. This is a conservative treatment that often requires little-to-no modification of the original tooth structure. As each thin porcelain shell has light refraction qualities, they can give off a natural appearance. With proper care, your porcelain veneers can last for decades.
Once your procedure is completed, some minor tooth sensitivity may be experienced. However, your teeth should feel back to normal within one to two weeks. If you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth, Dr. Lodding may recommend you wear a mouthguard at night to help protect your veneers. Although porcelain veneers are made from durable material, they do have the potential to break or crack like a real tooth. For this reason we recommend avoiding certain types of food, such as nuts, and refraining from chewing on ice. More specific guidelines can be provided in your consultation with Dr. Lodding.
Porcelain veneer patients of Dr. Lodding know that veneers boost the harmony of surrounding teeth and, consequently, the radiance of their entire smile. Dental restorations such as porcelain veneers can also help many patients feel more confident in their appearance. To keep your porcelain veneers in their best condition, we advise using a simple dental hygiene routine and scheduling routine hygiene visits at our office. These steps can help ensure your veneers are maintained and cleaned properly.
Your porcelain veneers are designed to last for many years. We strive to create durable veneers that you can rely on. Your veneers should prove to have long-lasting results (decades, in many cases) as long as they are properly cared for. Several of our patients have had their veneers for up to 35 years!
“I had a phenomenal experience with Dr. Lodding! I love my new veneers and they have totally changed my life.”
Special care is not needed to maintain your porcelain veneers. Our number one piece of advice is to embrace a regular dental hygiene routine, complete with brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist at least twice per year for comprehensive and professional cleanings. This can help maintain the health, function, and beauty of not only your porcelain veneers, but your entire smile.
While porcelain veneers are designed to be durable and long-lasting, it can also be helpful to be careful when eating particularly hard or chewy foods to avoid incurring unnecessary wear on the veneers. You may also wish to avoid using your teeth to open packages or containers, as this can place stress on the veneers. For patients who struggle with bruxism (teeth grinding), you should discuss the possibility of a custom nightguard with your dentist.
The cost of porcelain veneers can range from $1,000 to $3,000 per veneer, depending on a number of factors unique to each individual patient’s customized treatment plan. These factors include the specific kind of material used to create the veneer, the extent and complexity of the treatment, and other components. Since porcelain veneers are considered to be primarily a cosmetic dentistry procedure, they are not usually covered under dental insurance policies. With that in mind, our office accepts numerous payment methods, in addition to working with CareCredit®. This reputable agency provides affordable dental financing plans to qualified applicants who would like to pay for their treatment over time. Once your porcelain veneer treatment plan is developed at the initial consultation, a member of our team will produce a cost estimate that includes all expenses associated with the procedure so you will know what to expect. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and assist you with finding the most convenient way to bring porcelain veneers treatment into your budget.
Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are both popular treatments and have helped many individuals renew the appearance of their teeth; however, these options have several distinctions. While porcelain veneers can help improve dental function in some cases, they are generally more suited for cosmetic enhancement of the teeth. Veneers cover only the front part of the tooth rather than the whole tooth, and usually require only very little modification of the affected tooth’s structure prior to placement. By contrast, dental crowns are designed to enhance the appearance and the health and structure of a tooth. These restorative options cover the entire tooth, and are typically better for patients who have teeth that are severely damaged or weakened. Dental crowns are customized restorations that provide the affected teeth with significantly improved strength and reinforcement, enhancing the tooth’s health and function while serving to prevent further damage. These treatments typically require a substantial amount of structural adjustment to the original tooth in order to remove damaged or decayed areas before placement of the permanent dental crown.
During your porcelain veneer consultation, Dr. Lodding may communicate another procedure that may be more beneficial to meeting your dental needs. Some of our cosmetic treatments include teeth whitening and cosmetic bonding. However, if you need something more restorative, a porcelain crown may be recommended. Each of these alternatives to porcelain veneers can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. If a porcelain veneer is not the most ideal choice for your goals, Dr. Lodding will explore the alternatives with you and help you determine the best option.
Dr. Lodding does everything he can to minimize potential pain or discomfort during your procedure. Occasionally, some reshaping of the tooth will be needed to ensure the most accurate fit and feel. In most cases, there is minimal drilling or reduction required before the procedure. We can also provide a numbing agent to reduce any possible discomfort and to help make the procedure more comfortable. At Smile for Life Dental, our focus is to give patients quality dental care each and every time they visit our office. If we can create a smile that is more beautiful than before their treatment, we know we have done our job.
The length of the procedure will largely be based on the number of veneers you need. Usually, veneers require two separate visits to our office. The first visit is for the consultation, which will detail the treatment plan, provide you with a cost estimate, and begin the initial stage of the procedure. The second visit will be to place the veneers.
No, special care is not needed to maintain your porcelain veneers. Our number one piece of advice is to embrace a regular dental hygiene routine, complete with brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist at least twice per year for comprehensive and professional cleanings. This can help maintain the health, function, and beauty of not only your porcelain veneers, but your entire smile.
Our practice has porcelain veneers crafted with some of the most advanced and durable ceramic materials available. They are meticulously designed to be strong restorations that last for long periods of time. In fact, the high-quality ceramic is comparable to the strength of a natural tooth, and in some ways may even exceed that strength. The durable composition of porcelain veneers allows us to create very thin restorations. With that in mind, porcelain veneers are not unbreakable. It is recommended that patients avoid using the veneers to bite down on hard foods or to chew ice, and refrain from using the teeth to open bottles or packages. For individuals who have bruxism (grinding/clenching the teeth while sleeping) and those who play contact sports, it is often a good idea to invest in a customized mouthguard to prevent excessive pressure from damaging the veneers.
One of the major benefits of porcelain veneers is the fact that they are completely stain-resistant. The yellowing and staining that is common with the aging process, tobacco use, and consumption of certain types of beverages will have no effect on the veneers. That said, this means that a teeth whitening treatment will also have no effect. This is why it is often recommended that patients have a professional teeth whitening procedure before veneer placement so the veneers can be color-matched to teeth that already look whiter and healthier. If you already have veneers and would like them to more closely match the whiter appearance of surrounding teeth, new veneers can be created to produce a more seamless blend.
Porcelain veneer treatments are typically considered irreversible. This is because a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed and the natural tooth modified to a certain extent in order to accommodate the veneer. Fortunately, many patients are so pleased with the results of porcelain veneers that they do not wish to have them removed.
Dr. Lodding has been performing veneer procedures since 1986, and has placed over 12,000 veneers.
With state-of-the-art Envision A Smile Cosmetic Imaging, our dentist can show you a simulation of the potential results before you even have the treatment!
Yes! Please take a look through our Smile Gallery or ask to view more before-and-after photos at our office.
It is important to have an accurate bite assessment completed to decrease the risk that the veneers may “pop off.” For patients who grind or clench their teeth during sleep, it is also advisable to wear a night guard in order to prevent the possibility of damaging the veneer.
Porcelain veneers from our practice are covered by a limited warranty for a period of five years after placement. If the veneer is chipped, broken, defective, or lost during this time, it will be repaired or replaced at no cost.
Dental insurance may cover a portion of the procedure; however, since it is primarily a cosmetic treatment, coverage for porcelain veneers is not likely. Our office staff would be happy to help navigate any insurance coverage questions you have and talk with you about payment options and affordable dental financing plans.
We accept a variety of payment methods, including cash, major credit cards, and personal checks. CareCredit® is the dental financing company we work with to help qualified applicants receive the treatment they need.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, or if you have any questions, please contact our office so we may further assist you.
Cleveland Clinic: What Are Dental Veneers? Healthline: Dental Veneers Benefits, Procedure, Cost, Results