Dental Veneers in Norcross, GA
How you feel about your smile can directly influence how you feel about yourself. We see this connection often in adolescents, but it holds true at any age. While some people are born with a perfect smile, many people aren’t so lucky. Mishapen teeth, misalignments, and stains all affect the appearance of your teeth. But with dental veneers, we can hide these imperfections to completely transform your smile!
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells that adhere to the front of your tooth, like the way press-on fingernails lie over your natural nail.
At Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry, Dr. Stingley uses porcelain veneers to revitalize your smile. This tooth-colored material not only looks incredibly natural, but it’s also highly durable, withstanding the everyday pressure of biting and chewing. Additionally, its white shine is stain-resistant, which helps keep your veneer smile bright for longer.
Porcelain veneers are a common cosmetic dentistry option for concealing dental imperfections, such as:
- Minor misalignments
- Stubborn stains
- Chips or cracks
- Mishappen teeth
Veneers are completely customizable, allowing you to collaborate with Dr. Stingley to design a smile that aligns with your goals and personality. Together, you can decide on the size, shape, and color of each veneer to create a look that feels just right for you.
Dental Veneers vs. Dental Crowns
Patients sometimes confuse dental veneers with dental crowns because both offer cosmetic benefits, but these treatments differ in how much of the tooth they cover and the reasons they’re used.
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the entirety of a tooth. Dr. Stingley often uses crowns to restore teeth weakened by dental trauma, decay, or infection. By cementing crowns in place, she helps protect teeth from further damage and restores a patient’s ability to function normally.
While dental crowns are made from various materials, tooth-colored crowns offer cosmetic benefits. Because they blend in beautifully with the rest of your teeth, they can enhance the overall impact of your smile.
Dental veneers cover only the front-facing enamel of your tooth, making them a primarily cosmetic solution. While they don’t offer the same structural support as crowns, veneers can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile. They’re also less invasive, as they preserve more of your natural tooth structure. In contrast, dental crowns require more enamel removal so the restoration can fully encase the tooth and provide added strength.
While Dr. Stingley can use dental crowns to improve the appearance of your smile, veneers may be a quicker and more comfortable option for those focused solely on cosmetic enhancement rather than structural repair. At your free screening, Dr. Stingley will determine which treatment best aligns with your needs and goals.
The Porcelain Veneer Process in Norcross, GA
Dental veneer treatment with Dr. Stingley is a simple process that follows a few key steps:
1. Free Screening
When you visit Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry for a free screening, Dr. Stingley will take the time to get to know you and your smile. She will discuss your needs, assess your smile, and determine if you need any treatments before you’re eligible for veneers.
To enjoy porcelain veneers, you need a healthy smile as a good foundation. Otherwise, any gum disease or tooth decay will continue beneath your veneer, causing significant issues over time. During your screening, Dr. Stingley will first identify any necessary dental work to make sure your smile is ready for cosmetic treatment.
2. Treatment Planning
Once you’re ready for veneers, Dr. Stingley will move on to the treatment planning phase. With your input, she’ll carefully design your veneers to create your ideal look.
This design process goes beyond just making teeth look white or straight. It takes into account the shape of your face, the size, color, and position of your teeth, and how everything works together to complement your overall appearance.
With Dr. Stingley’s guidance, you can look forward to a new smile that looks great and feels perfectly suited to you.
3. Tooth Preparation
An important part of the veneer process is shaping your teeth so the final result looks seamless and never bulky.
This visit involves removing a small amount of your front-facing enamel to make room for your veneers. With the help of a local anesthetic, the procedure is usually very comfortable.
Then, once your teeth are prepared, Dr. Stingley will place a temporary set of veneers to protect your smile. These temporaries also give you a chance to preview your new look. If you’d like adjustments to the size, shape, or color, we can make those changes to your final veneers.
4. Veneer Placement
When your custom veneers arrive, you’ll return to our office. Dr. Stingley will have you try them in to check their fit and appearance. If they look and feel good and don’t affect your bite, then she will bond them in place to transform your smile!
Revitalize Your Smile With Dental Veneers
Your smile can significantly impact how you feel about yourself. If chips, stains, or uneven teeth are bothering you, veneers could be the solution you’ve been looking for. These custom-made tooth covers blend seamlessly with your natural teeth to refresh and transform your smile.
With Dr. Stingley’s guidance, you can enjoy brighter, straighter, and more beautiful teeth, and finally love your smile!
Book a free screening to learn if you’re a good candidate for dental veneers at Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry!
Frequently Asked Questions
At Carter-Rockbridge General Dentistry, we offer porcelain veneers because they’re made from a high-quality material that looks natural and holds up well over time. However, like natural teeth, veneers can crack or break if exposed to too much pressure.
Common causes of veneer damage include teeth grinding (bruxism) and using your teeth as tools (for example, to open packaging). While porcelain veneers can handle normal chewing, they aren’t meant to withstand excessive force.
If a dental veneer breaks, contact Dr. Stingley for an emergency appointment. She will get you into her office as soon as possible to repair or replace your veneer and protect your smile.
With the right care, porcelain veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. But to keep your veneers in optimal shape, you need to care for them like your natural teeth!
Dr. Stingley recommends brushing at least twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste, flossing regularly, and attending routine dental visits. With these careful steps, your smile should stay healthy and bright for years to come!
The cost of dental veneers depends on a few factors.
The number of teeth you’re treating with veneers significantly affects the cost of your treatment. For example, enhancing just your two front teeth will be more affordable than improving your entire smile line.
Another factor affecting treatment costs is whether you need any prior treatments. Dental veneers require healthy teeth for a strong foundation; those with decay or infection will need treatment before proceeding with veneers.
While insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic treatments such as veneers, Dr. Stingley offers flexible financing options for patients on a budget. By splitting your costs into more manageable monthly payments, you can revitalize your smile without breaking the bank!