Eliminate Imperfections Today
It doesn’t take much to ruin a beautiful smile. Minor chips, cracks, and gaps between teeth can all detract from an otherwise great looking smile and can even compromise your oral health. If this sounds like your experience, contact Dr. Wirth in Oak Harbor to improve the look and health of your teeth with porcelain veneers.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin tooth-shaped shells of porcelain that Dr. Wirth will apply directly to the front surface of your teeth to give you the smile of your dreams. Our veneers are customized to match your smile, blending with the rest of your natural teeth discreetly.
Why Might I Need Veneers?
At Whidbey Dental Associates, we’ve recommended porcelain veneers for patients with a number of cosmetic concerns, including:
- Deep intrinsic stains
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Crooked or uneven teeth
- Teeth with craters or bulges
- Visible gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are worn down
Since porcelain is stain-resistant and durable, your veneer is specially made for easy maintenance and can withstand daily wear and tear. To enjoy your veneer to its full potential, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Patients should also avoid chewing ice or other hard foods.
Getting Veneers at Whidbey Dental Associates
While the veneer process only takes two appointments, it’s best described in three parts.
Your Consultation
Like any other cosmetic treatment, the process begins with an in-depth consultation with our Oak Harbor dentists. During this visit, we’ll work with you one-on-one to identify your smile goals and determine if veneers can help you reach your aesthetic objective. We’ll also conduct an examination of your smile to ensure your teeth are healthy enough for veneers.
Collecting Impressions
Once you’ve selected veneers as your cosmetic treatment, we’ll take an impression of your teeth and send the model to a laboratory that will manufacture them. During this first appointment, we’ll also prepare your teeth by buffing the enamel and covering it with a temporary veneer. This helps ensure the veneers bond correctly to the teeth and prevent them from appearing too bulky.
Placing Your Veneers
As soon as your veneers are ready, you’ll return to Whidbey Dental Associates for placement. During this quick procedure, we’ll use a strong dental adhesive to permanently bond the veneers to the front of your teeth. After we’re satisfied with the way they look and fit with your smile, you’re free to show them off to the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Veneers are a great treatment to enhance your smile and last a long time, but they aren’t permanent.
To help your veneers last longer, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, use an antibacterial mouthwash, and visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Also, avoid chewing on too many hard or crunchy foods, such as ice. This can damage your veneers as well as your natural teeth.
Generally, dental insurance doesn’t cover the cost of veneers. Dental insurance won’t cover cosmetic procedures that only change the appearance of your teeth and don’t improve your health, such as teeth whitening or veneers.
If you’re concerned about the cost of dental veneers, our office can help you. We offer a variety of payment options including most major credit cards, checks, and flexible payment plans through CareCredit and Lending Club. Learn more by giving our team a call.
If your veneer falls off, keep it safe in a small container or bag and bring it to your appointment for re-application. We can either re-attach the veneer or suggest new ones if you’ve had your current veneers for a long time.
Call our Oak Harbor office at (360) 675-6404 if your veneer has fallen or been damaged. We’ll get an appointment for you as soon as possible so we can quickly fix your veneer.
Veneers can create a straight appearance for teeth that are slightly crooked. At your appointment, we’ll assess the possibilities for your new smile and tell you if veneers can give you the smile you want.
However, it’s good to know that veneers won’t change the actual position of your teeth. They still can cover the appearance of your crooked teeth but won’t shift them as an orthodontic treatment will.