Porcelain Veneers – San Ramon, CA

Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right for Me?

Some cosmetic treatments are more affordable than others, but at the same time, the cheaper option isn’t always ideal for making the changes that you have in mind. To make comparing your options a bit easier, here’s a brief summary of some of our cosmetic services:

• Clear Aligners: If any of your teeth are significantly misaligned, clear aligners can be used to straighten them. While there are many benefits to getting clear aligners, they tend to be much more costly than other cosmetic treatments. Also, they can only make corrections related to the position of the tooth.

• Teeth Whitening: For people who want a quick solution for a discolored smile, teeth whitening can be a very budget-friendly way to achieve the desired results. On the downside, whitening is only really an option if you’re trying to improve the color of your teeth.
• Cosmetic Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is often specifically compared to veneers since both treatments can be used to make a variety of changes. In general, dental bonding is cheaper, but it needs to be redone more often, and it’s typically only an option when it comes to minor changes.
• Veneers: Even though veneers usually have a higher price than teeth whitening and cosmetic dental bonding, they have plenty of advantages that make them worth the investment. Not only do they allow you to transform your entire grin, but they can also last for well over a decade.

How to Make Veneers Affordable

Even if you have dental insurance, it probably won’t cover veneers. Generally speaking, insurance companies will only pay for medically necessary procedures, which excludes any treatments that are only being done for cosmetic reasons. It doesn’t hurt to double-check your coverage, but you should probably also start looking for different ways to make paying for veneers easier.

One option is to see if you qualify for a CareCredit plan. Thanks to CareCredit, you have the option of breaking up the cost of your care; oftentimes, veneers are much more affordable when you don’t have to pay the entire price all at once. Many of the plans that CareCredit offers come with low interest, and some don’t have any interest at all. Give our team a call if you would like more details about how CareCredit works.

Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?

Part of the veneer process involves wearing temporary veneers that aren’t as durable as the permanent versions. Hard foods like peppermints and certain raw fruits and vegetables could potentially break temporary veneers, so cut them out of your diet for the time being.

With permanent veneers, you’ll have more freedom to eat what you want. However, it’s still advisable to stay away from extremely hard foods like unpopped popcorn kernels. Also, be mindful of how often you’re drinking dark-colored beverages like coffee; veneers might not stain as easily as your natural teeth, but they can still eventually become discolored.

How Many Veneers Will I Need?

As you can probably imagine, we can only determine the number of veneers you’ll need once we have seen your smile in person. Sometimes just one veneer is sufficient if the flaws you want to address are limited to a single tooth. Of course, there are plenty of cases where multiple veneers are needed. For many patients, 6 to 8 is enough. That said, you could need as many as 10 or even 12. Generally speaking, the appropriate number of veneers is however many are necessary to make your smile look symmetrical.

Is It Painful to Get Veneers?

Any discomfort you experience as part of the process of getting veneers will largely occur after the procedure because your mouth will be numbed during the actual placement. Soreness tends to be more common among patients who have 8 or more veneers placed, and in some cases, you’ll temporarily experience sensitivity in your teeth when eating hot or cold foods. We recommend rinsing with salt water and taking ibuprofen (or another type of pain medication that can be bought over the counter). Any discomfort should only be temporary.

Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?

Veneers should not be placed if you have any of the following:

• Tooth Decay: Covering a cavity with a veneer would simply allow it to grow more severe over time. The veneer would have to be removed in order to treat the problem.
• Gum Disease: Gums that are swollen due to gum disease can get in the way while we’re trying to take an impression of your teeth, and as a result, your veneers may not be the right size. Also, gum disease can cause your gum tissues to recede, and that could end up leaving the edges of the veneer visible.
• Bruxism: Veneers are often in greater danger of falling off if you frequently grind or clench your teeth. However, you might still be able to get veneers if you can commit to wearing a nightguard to manage your bruxism.