subject: In Santa Barbara Porcelain Veneers Are A Popular Choice [print this page] Porcelain veneers are amazing cosmetic and general dentistry products. They may be used strictly for cosmetic reasons, or they may be used to address problems like broken teeth. For some people in Santa Barbara porcelain veneers take care of problems that orthodontics cannot fix. For example, a person with a large jaw and small teeth may have a smile with gaps, and porcelain veneers can be made to beautifully fix these gaps with what look exactly like healthy, natural teeth. When properly cared for, veneers can last for decades. A tooth with a big chip in it can be fitted with a veneer to make it look just as it used to.
How much Do They Cost?
Any general dentist Santa Barbara residents trust will not offer veneers cheaply. They are an investment, and you should expect to pay around $1,000 per tooth. However the results are stunning, and when you care properly for your veneers, you can keep them indefinitely. They make a great alternative to orthodontia for some patients, and the process from start to finish only takes two or three visits over the course of a couple of weeks. The transformation that porcelain veneers make to your smile will astound you. Getting veneers really is like having a makeover.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Expect veneers from your Santa Barbara dentist to last for a decade, though they may well last much longer than that. Veneers are similar to regular teeth in that the better they are cared for, the longer they last. If a veneer comes off during routine flossing or brushing, if it remains in one piece, your dentist should be able to put it back on with little problem. However, if a veneer breaks, you'll need to have it replaced. Your dentist will instruct you on how to floss and brush so that your porcelain veneers and your regular teeth get the care they need to last as long as possible.
Can Cosmetic Treatments Be Done when Some Teeth Have Veneers?
Before having veneers, your dentist may want to perform an in-office whitening procedure to determine what your lightest natural tooth shade is. He or she will then make the veneers to match this color. If your dentist makes your veneer to match your teeth without whitening them first, future dental bleaching will make your real teeth whiter than your veneers. It's important to be clear up front whether you think you will want teeth whitening in the future so your veneers can be made accordingly.
Are Veneers Right for Me?
The general dentist Santa Barbara residents trust with their smiles will always be up front and honest about whether veneers are right for a particular patient. While veneers can address a range of dental problems, they are not right for everyone. What's more, they are expensive, and most people can't afford to spend money on a procedure that might not fix their problem. Only a thorough exam and consult with your Santa Barbara dentist can determine whether porcelain veneers are right for your smile.
