Porcelain Veneers – Bakersfield, CA
Fix Several Dental Flaws with One Treatment
Would you like to increase the appeal of your smile without having to undergo extensive surgery to do so? It sounds too good to be true, but porcelain veneers from Dominic Carlson, DDS have created seemingly natural-looking smiles for patients! With the combined efforts of Dr. Carlson and our cosmetic dentistry team, we can examine, fit, and place realistic-looking porcelain veneers at our Bakersfield, CA dental office. Please call our dental office to schedule your consultation today.
Why Choose Dominic Carlson, DDS for Porcelain Veneers?
- Made from Stain-Resistant Dental Porcelain
- Dentist Born & Raised in Bakersfield
- Wax-Ups for Cosmetic Treatments
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are customized and placed over an existing, healthy tooth. The porcelain used to craft the veneer even reflects light as your natural teeth do, so it shouldn’t noticeably stand out. The material is also very sturdy; patients with porcelain veneers are able to drink, eat, and chew gum as they normally do. Porcelain veneers are often used to hide:
- Teeth that contain a noticeable chip or crack.
- Malformed teeth.
- Permanently stained teeth.
- Gaps along your gum line.
The Process of Getting Porcelain Veneers
It will be necessary for Dr. Carlson to perform a thorough examination before placing or fitting you for porcelain veneers. Because our dental office values long term health rather than a quick fix, we want to first determine if your tooth is healthy and stable. If we conclude that your tooth is healthy, we’ll take notes on the size, shape, and general coloring of your other teeth. We want the porcelain veneer to blend in smoothly, after all. A licensed ceramist will be able to craft your veneer by hand, and then we’ll call you back so we can place it!
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are affixed to teeth with a natural-colored composite. This bond is strong, so you can brush and floss with confidence! Please note that porcelain won’t darken as regular enamel does over the years, so occasional touch-ups with teeth whitening may be necessary to maintain your smile’s unaltered look. Porcelain veneers from Dominic Carlson, DDS look, act, and even feel like normal teeth. After a while, you may forget it’s there!
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Veneers are an incredibly luxurious cosmetic dental treatment, capable of making startling changes to your smile withing just two appointments. However, if you’ve looked into cosmetic dentistry, you’re probably also aware that veneers are one of the more expensive cosmetic dental treatments out there.
That said, veneers are also an investment that’s sure to pay off, which means it’s still worth thinking about how you can budget for the treatment. Here are a few things you should know about the price of this treatment in order to payment easier.
Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
For one, it’s worth noting that veneers are far from the only cosmetic treatment that’s out there. Depending on your budget and your needs, there may be other options better suited to you. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to repair a small chip or crack, direct bonding is an inexpensive way to achieve this. If your smile’s color is more of your concern, teeth whitening is an affordable method of beautifying your teeth.
However, veneers are capable of covering damage, changing the color of your smile, and even aligning the teeth withing just two appointments. If you’re willing to make a real investment in your smile, veneers are sure to do a lot for the quality of your teeth.
It’s also important to remember that we aren’t interested in bankrupting our patients; we want to offer care that is affordable, effective, and leaves you with a smile you can take pride in. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can make veneers fit your budget, give us a call and we’ll be happy to talk to you about your financial options.
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
Since your porcelain veneers will eventually have to be replaced, they are not technically permanent. However, since placing them requires permanent alteration of your teeth, the procedure is considered irreversible and you will have to wear veneers from then on. To place your veneers, Dr. Carlson will remove a small amount of enamel to make room for them and create a proper surface for them to bond with. Lost enamel does not grow back, so teeth treated in this way will need to wear veneers to prevent infections and injuries.
What Happens to the Teeth Under Porcelain Veneers?
Since placing porcelain veneers only requires a small amount of enamel to be removed and the bonding agent used is completely safe, the treatment won’t harm your teeth. However, the loss of this enamel will make the teeth more vulnerable to infections like cavities, so they will need to wear veneers from then on for protection. After receiving veneers, it’s still crucial to practice excellent daily oral hygiene by brushing and flossing while showing up at our office for routine dental exams and cleanings and limiting your sugar intake. This will help prevent infections that may require your veneers to be removed so the tooth can be treated.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Porcelain Veneers?
After your first appointment for veneers, Dr. Carlson will place temporary veneers on your teeth so you can get used to wearing them while your permanent set is being manufactured. While wearing your temporary set, avoid crunchy foods like ice, raw fruits and veggies, and hard candy. It’s also best to minimize your intake of sticky foods that can pull your temporary appliances loose from your teeth. Since your temporary veneers are easier to stain than your permanent ones, you may want to avoid heavily pigmented foods and drinks.
Once your permanent veneers are in place, it’s safe to enjoy most foods. However, it’s still important to stay way from especially hard or crunchy items or dark beverages that can cause stains. If you experience dental sensitivity after receiving your veneers, avoid items that are hot or cold. Since alcohol can weaken the cement holding your appliances in place, it’s best to enjoy hard beverages sparingly.
Do Porcelain Veneers Give You a Lisp?
Since veneers can change the shape of the teeth, some people may develop a temporary lisp as they get used to wearing them. This problem should diminish and eventually disappear as the tongue gets more practice working around your new appliances. You may especially notice a lisp when pronouncing the “s” and “v” sounds. While we may be able to reduce this lisp by adjusting your veneers, you can probably get rid of it quickly at home by reading a favorite book out loud and repeating any words that give you trouble until you get the hang of them.