By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert
Considering dental veneers? Our veneer FAQs address the most common questions so you can feel informed and confident when exploring whether veneers are the right fit for your needs—today or in the future.
Q: What are dental veneers?
A: Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted from porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They’re designed to enhance your smile by improving your teeth’s shape, color, and alignment.
Q. How are crowns different from veneers?
A. Crowns can be an excellent solution when you need to support a tooth and restore its integrity. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert reshape the tooth and custom fit the crown over it like a cap or helmet. Crowns require more preparation of the natural tooth and are a good choice when needed, but if you are just changing the tooth for esthetic purposes, veneers are a great and more conservative option.
Q. Is getting veneers painful?
A. The procedure is considered minimally invasive, and most patients report little to no pain. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert typically use a local anesthetic to reduce the likelihood of any discomfort. Your teeth may be sensitive to hot or cold for a few days, but this should resolve quickly.
Q: Am I a good candidate for veneers?
A: If you have healthy teeth and gums and are looking for a long-term solution to enhance your smile, veneers may be a great fit. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we’ll perform a comprehensive exam where we evaluate your oral health and discuss your smile goals to determine if veneers are right for you.
Q: How long do veneers last?
A: With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10–15 years or even longer. Composite veneers have a shorter lifespan, but have a lower initial investment so some people find them to be a more affordable option. Maintaining good oral hygiene, scheduling routine dental visits, and avoiding habits like biting hard objects can help extend the life of your veneers.
Q: What is the process like for getting veneers?
A: The process usually involves three steps: consultation and planning, tooth preparation and temporary veneers, and then bonding the permanent veneers. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert take time to understand your goals and carefully design a smile that looks natural and feels comfortable.
Q: Will getting veneers damage my natural teeth?
A: Veneers require reshaping the teeth and therefore a small amount of enamel is removed from your natural teeth to ensure a proper fit. This is irreversible, but it’s often a very minimal reduction and your teeth will still be protected by the veneer. Our team at Eggert Family Dentistry takes a conservative approach to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Q: Do veneers look natural?
A: Yes! Veneers are carefully crafted to match the color, shape, and translucency of natural teeth. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we customize each veneer to ensure a seamless and natural-looking result that complements your features and personality.
Q: What’s the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
A: Porcelain veneers are stronger, more stain-resistant, and longer-lasting, while composite veneers can be placed in one appointment and start out as more budget-friendly. We’ll help you decide which material is best based on your needs and goals.
Q: Can I whiten my veneers?
A: Veneers don’t respond to whitening treatments like natural teeth do. If you’re considering whitening, we recommend doing it before getting veneers so we can match your veneers to your brightened smile.
Q. Are veneers covered by dental insurance?
A. Because veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, they’re generally not covered by dental insurance. However, a veneer is occasionally placed to cover trauma or decay and may warrant insurance coverage. It’s best to check with your insurance company prior to pursuing veneers so you know what to expect. Also, many patients choose to use their FSAs or HSAs to offset the cost of their veneers.
Dental veneers are a minimally invasive and attractive choice that can give you a more confident smile. If you found our veneer FAQs helpful and you’d like to explore if they’re the right choice for you, give Eggert Family Dentistry a call at 651.482.8412 to set up a consultation!