Porcelain Veneers – Leesburg, VA

Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right for Me?

Your cosmetic dentist in Leesburg provides more options than ever to resolve even the most complex aesthetic concerns. Sometimes, patients need various procedures to achieve the results they want, while others enjoy the same improvement after just a couple of appointments, depending on the treatments they choose. Veneers are popular because they can fix several issues at once to prevent needing multiple or lengthy procedures. As a result, they can be the most cost-effective option, but there are many things to consider when determining the best path. Depending on your needs and expectations, you may be a candidate for:

• Braces: Alignment and bite problems can be resolved using orthodontics. In addition to brackets and wires, clear aligners are also available. On average, your treatment can take 12-24 months.
• Teeth Whitening: Your teeth can get up to 8 shades whiter using a professional whitening treatment. Although you can achieve significant results, whitening systems aren’t effective on all types of stains.
• Direct Bonding: A composite resin material can resolve multiple imperfections using a minimally invasive treatment. Your results will look natural and last for 5-10 years before needing to be replaced.
• Veneers: Attaching the thin shell to the front surface of a tooth improves its color, size, shape, and proportion. Placing them on the teeth most visible when smiling hides several problems simultaneously, like gaps, stains, and chips. You’ll enjoy results that can last for a decade or longer with the proper aftercare.

How to Make Veneers Affordable

It’s rare for dental insurance to cover the cost of veneers in Leesburg because they are considered elective; however, there are some exceptions. If the procedure is deemed necessary to your dental health, such as replacing an old veneer, you may be able to use your insurance to offset the cost. A member of our team will explain if your policy can be used. If not, don’t worry. We offer several additional opportunities to keep a flawless smile within your budget. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss your payment options, which include:

• Traditional Payment Methods: We accept all forms of traditional payment methods, including cash, check, and most major credit cards.
• Wellness Plan: We offer in-house savings plans to reduce the cost of common services, like X-rays.
• Third-Party Financing: We accept third-party financing to pay for your treatment using monthly installments.

You’ll know exactly what you’ll need to pay before committing to any treatment, so you won’t be caught off guard by any unexpected fees.

Are Veneers Permanent?

Technically, veneers aren’t permanent. Even the best ones must be replaced over time. That said, the process of placing them is irreversible.

You see, a dentist must prep your teeth before placing veneers. This process files away bits of their enamel so the shells will fit well. However, the removed tooth material won’t grow back. As a result, your prepped teeth will always need veneers (or crowns) in the future. (Their dentin will be exposed otherwise, putting you at risk of teeth sensitivity and infections.)

Can You Whiten Veneers?

To be honest, teeth whitening procedures don’t affect veneers. If the shells get stubborn stains, you’ll simply need to replace them.

The issue has to do with how whitening works. Normally, it uses bleaching gel to remove stains from your enamel. Veneers’ ceramic material, though, isn’t porous and won’t let this gel pass through. As such, whiteners would only affect your natural teeth and give your smile an uneven color.

Thankfully, there are ways to get both whitening and veneer treatments. You could get your teeth whitened first so that your future veneers have a matching color.

Is It Painful to Get Veneers?

When done by a qualified dentist, veneer treatment is almost always painless. You shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure itself.

Before the actual dental work, the dentist will numb your mouth with an anesthetic. This drug ensures you don’t ache while the veneers are placed. At most, you’ll only register some slight pressure as the dentist and their team proceed.

Of course, you may experience some post-treatment aches afterward. This symptom is more likely when multiple veneers are being placed. In that case, you may even feel “bonding sensitivity” – a sharp pain from biting into something hot or cold. Still, rest assured that such pain is temporary; it’ll mostly fade within a few days.

Do Veneers Change Your Face?

As a matter of fact, yes – veneers do change your face. Luckily, the alterations they make are for the better!

Fundamentally, veneers support your mouth’s musculature and accentuate your cheekbones. These features help since the mouth gradually loses elasticity and muscle tone. By counteracting this loss, veneers provide the same benefits as a facelift.

To learn exactly how veneers will affect your face, talk to your dentist. They’ll happily explain the impact these shells will have. It’s just a matter of visiting them for a consultation.