What are veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored material that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. They are typically made of porcelain or composite resin and can help improve the appearance of your teeth.

Veneers are a versatile and minimally invasive way to correct a variety of cosmetic imperfections, such as chips, cracks, stains, gaps, misshapen teeth, and more. At Dental Arts, we ensure our work will also protect a damaged tooth.

What problems can veneers help fix?

If you wake up with a sore jaw, headache, or sensitive teeth, you may be experiencing bruxism. Recognizing the signs and symptoms is the first step toward protecting your smile.

• Jaw pain or stiffness, especially in the morning

• Headaches, particularly in the temples

• Earache

• Worn-down, flattened, or chipped teeth

• Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets

• Sore gums

• Clicking or popping of the jaw joint

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek treatment to prevent long-term damage to your teeth and jaw.

Long-Term Consequences of Untreated Teeth Grinding & Clenching

Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option because they can fix many flaws. This includes:

• Chipped or cracked teeth

• Stained or discolored teeth that don't respond to whitening

• Gaps between teeth

• Misshapen or uneven teeth

• Teeth that are too small

• Slightly crooked teeth

Veneers are a restorative dental option that can help create a more uniform, symmetrical, and attractive smile

What are the different types of veneers?

Veneers can be made of porcelain or resin. The type of veneer best suited for you may depend on the state of your teeth and lifestyle needs.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are considered the gold standard for natural beauty and longevity. These are thin shells crafted from high-quality dental porcelain, a strong and durable material that closely mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. 

Each porcelain veneer is custom-designed and meticulously crafted in our dental lab to ensure a perfect fit and a seamless blend with your existing teeth.

Here are some benefits of getting porcelain veneers:

• Natural-Looking Aesthetics: Porcelain's translucent properties allow it to reflect light in a similar way to natural teeth, resulting in a remarkably lifelike appearance. This is ideal for those in the public eye.

• Exceptional Durability: Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to chipping, cracking, and staining, ensuring a long-lasting and beautiful smile.

• Stain Resistance: Porcelain is non-porous, making it highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, wine, and other common culprits.

• Biocompatibility: Porcelain is biocompatible, which means it is well-tolerated by the body and does not cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Porcelain is a great choice for those who are looking to correct discolorations! When well cared for, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are considered a more affordable and convenient option. They are crafted from a tooth-colored resin material that is applied directly to your teeth and sculpted into the desired shape. 

The composite resin is then hardened with a special light, creating a durable and natural-looking restoration.

Here are some benefits of composite veneers:

• Affordability: Composite veneers are significantly less expensive than porcelain veneers, making them a more accessible option for budget-conscious patients.

• Single-Visit Placement: Composite veneers can often be placed in a single appointment, saving you time and multiple visits to the dentist.

• Easily Repairable: Composite veneers can be easily repaired or adjusted if they become chipped or damaged.

• Easily Changed: For people who don't want to commit to a more permanent option, but still want to improve the look and feel of their teeth.

• Minimal Tooth Preparation: Composite veneers typically require less tooth preparation than porcelain veneers, preserving more of your natural tooth structure.

Lumineers

If you’re looking for a veneer option that requires minimal tooth preparation, we offer Lumineers. This is a type of ultra-thin veneer that can offer a smile transformation with little to no enamel removal.

Lumineers are crafted from an incredibly thin layer of porcelain, allowing them to be bonded directly to your teeth without significant reshaping. This minimally invasive approach preserves more of your natural tooth structure and can often be completed without the need for anesthesia.

Here are some benefits of Lumineers:

• Minimal Tooth Preparation: They require little to no enamel removal, making them a more conservative option.

• Painless Procedure: The minimally invasive nature of Lumineers often eliminates the need for shots or drilling.

• Natural-Looking Results: Lumineers can effectively correct minor imperfections, such as stains, chips, and gaps, creating a brighter, more uniform smile.

• Reversible Option: Since Lumineers involve minimal tooth structure alteration, they can be removed in the future as needed.

Lumineers are best suited for patients with minor cosmetic imperfections and who desire a minimally invasive approach. However, it should be noted that Lumineers may make the tooth more bulky than before because it does not involve any tooth shaping. 

What to expect when getting veneers?

At Dental Arts of Cherry Hills, getting veneers to achieve your dream smile is a collaborative process that is guided by Dr. Kostas' expertise and commitment to your satisfaction. Here's what you can expect during your veneer placement:

1. During your initial consultation, Dr. Kostas will thoroughly assess your oral health, talk to you about your aesthetic goals, and discuss the best veneer options for your needs. He'll use advanced techniques to create a preview of your potential new smile, so you can visualize the results before committing to treatment.
2. To ensure a seamless and natural-looking fit, a small amount of enamel may need to be removed from the front surface of your teeth. Dr. Kostas is highly skilled in minimally invasive techniques and strives to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. The amount of preparation required depends on the type of veneer chosen and the extent of the corrections you may need.
3. Precise measurements and impressions of your prepared teeth will be taken to create custom-fitted veneers in our dental lab. These are very precise to reduce the chance of ill-fitting veneers.
4. Once your custom veneers are ready, Dr. Kostas will carefully bond them to your teeth using a strong and durable dental adhesive. He'll then make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit, proper bite alignment, and a natural-looking result.
   

How to care for your veneers?

Proper care is important to maintain the health and quality of your veneers. Here are some tips to maintain them for the long term.

• Brush & Floss Regularly: Plaque is important to remove daily to make sure the veneer is in proper condition.

• Use Non-Abrasive Toothpaste: Normal toothpaste can cause a deterioration in the veneer's look and feel. We want them to feel great for you!

• Use a Night Guard: Night Guards will alleviate teeth from grinding.

• Avoid Biting Hard Items: Stay away from doing this in case you run into any serious damage.



• Have Regular Checkups: Our experts will check the state of the teeth to make sure there is nothing wrong!