Veneers – Norman, OK
Have a Brand-New Smile in Just Two Visits
Are your teeth stained, chipped, or misaligned? Have you always wanted a smile that exudes youth and vitality but hesitate at the thought of extensive dental work? With veneers in Norman, you can have a brand-new smile in just two visits to your trusted dentist’s office. Getting dental veneers is sort of like pressing the “redo” button on your teeth -- and Dr. Bobby J. Carmen can’t wait to help you start over with a new, beautiful smile! To learn more about this cosmetic dentistry solution, get in touch with our team or read on.
Why Choose Bobby J. Carmen, DDS for Veneers?
- Dentist with Mastership with the Academy of General Dentistry
- Comfortable, Modern Dental Office
- Early Morning, Lunchtime, and Afternoon Hours
What Are Dental Veneers?
In short, veneers work by simply covering up your dental imperfections. They are thin layers of high-quality materials, like porcelain, that are securely affixed on the front surface of the teeth that show when you smile. To ensure the veneers lie flat with the surrounding natural teeth, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the top of each tooth. It is a minimal reduction that helps your smile look totally natural and beautiful.
The Process of Getting Veneers
If veneers are the right solution for your smile, you can expect them to be applied over the course of just two visits to Dr. Carmen’s dental office. In the first, the two of you will discuss your treatment plan. How did your teeth get into their current state? What do you hope to achieve with veneers?
After we have gathered all of your smile information, we prepare your teeth to receive the veneers. A small portion of enamel is removed from the surface of each tooth, then we take molds that we send to our trusted lab. Here, your veneers are crafted from beautiful dental porcelain.
You wear temporary veneers in the time between appointments. About two weeks later, you return to our dental office for the placement of your new veneers. Dr. Carmen removes the temporaries and makes sure the new ones look perfect. We can still make any final adjustments at this point, if needed. Then we apply the veneers onto the surface of each tooth and give you the first look at your new smile!
The Benefits of Veneers
Dental veneers can help patients who would need several cosmetic dentistry treatments enjoy more transformative results faster than would otherwise be possible. That’s because veneers improve the size, shape, color, texture, and overall appearance of your smile, all at once. And because porcelain is highly resistant to staining, your veneers can be expected to stay the same beautiful shade of white for years after their application.
Veneers are also a smart investment. They are completed over the course of two visits to the dentist and can be expected to last for many years with proper maintenance. It’s a small investment in time for a long-lasting payoff.
The customization of veneers is another big advantage of this cosmetic treatment. Dr. Carmen will evaluate your unique facial features and coloring to help you achieve the best look for your smile.
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
If your heart is set on veneers, then you may have one last question on your mind before committing to treatment: how much do veneers cost? Although there isn’t a flat fee, Dr. Carmen and the rest of our dedicated team are here to make finding the answer as stress-free as possible. That’s why we will give you an estimate at your consultation and review all of the financial solutions available to you as well. Of course, if you want to learn more about the cost of veneers before then, that’s okay too! In that case, read on.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?
It’s important to consider more than just the upfront cost of veneers. For example, how does the price compare to other popular cosmetic dental treatments, like braces, teeth whitening, and direct bonding? Well, here’s the answer:
- Braces – Like veneers, braces typically come with a higher upfront cost. However, that doesn’t mean these treatments aren’t a smart investment. On the contrary, braces and veneers can deliver results that last for decades, meaning they could be the best choice for your wallet over time. It is important to note, however, that orthodontic treatments only improve the position of your teeth, not their size or shape. So, you will need to invest in additional treatments if those are concerns of yours.
- Teeth Whitening – Professional teeth whitening is one of the most reliable ways to remove stubborn stains. It’s typically more mid-range in terms of cost, and each treatment is completely customized to you (which cannot be said about store-bought alternatives). Again, this cosmetic dental treatment only addresses one aspect of your teeth: their color. If you want to improve their position or shape, then you’ll need to factor in the cost of additional treatments.
- Direct Bonding – Direct bonding isn’t just versatile, quick, and painless; it’s also more midrange in terms of cost. It’s important to note, however, that this treatment is usually only used for minor flaws, like small gaps and chips. If you have a more significant dental imperfection you’d like to address, then veneers might be the better option for the look and function of your smile.
- Veneers – Simply put, the numerous benefits that veneers come with make them well worth the higher upfront investment. In addition to fixing multiple imperfections at once, the entire treatment process can be completed in a matter of weeks and the results can last upwards of 30 years!
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Since dental insurance providers typically only cover treatments that are “medically necessary,” it’s not likely that they will pay for a portion of the cost of your veneers. The good news is that there is another financial solution available: flexible financing with CareCredit. With their payment plans, you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of your treatment upfront. Instead, you can break down the payments into chunks that fit neatly into your monthly budget. Sometimes with little-to-no interest too!
Veneers FAQs
What Are the Advantages of Veneers over Cosmetic Bonding or Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening only corrects one kind of flaw, whereas veneers can address many imperfections simultaneously. Plus, sometimes discoloration is deeper than teeth whitening treatment can reach. Cosmetic bonding essentially does the same thing as veneers, but it tends to not last as long. In addition, it is made of composite resin, which stains more easily than porcelain. When you come in for your consultation, we’ll look at all your options before finding the perfect one for you and your smile goals.
Why Is Enamel Removed from My Teeth to Get Veneers?
In order for your veneers to look realistic, a tiny portion—only about 0.5 mm—of the front-facing enamel must be taken away to make space for the veneers. Without this vital step, your veneers would protrude and call the wrong kind of attention to your smile. While this removal means making a permanent change to your teeth, your beautiful, brilliant veneers will make up for it! This small sacrifice will help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Does Getting Veneers Hurt?
The idea of having tooth enamel removed may seem concerning at first, but before we touch your teeth and prepare them for veneers, we’ll administer a local anesthetic. In other words, you’ll be numb and comfortable during this step of the process. When the anesthetic wears off, you may have some sensitivity at first, especially with temporary veneers, which are not custom-made for your teeth. However, your personalized veneers should feel completely natural and comfortable.
How Do I Take Care of My Veneers?
If you’re going to get veneers and want them to last for more than a decade, you’ll need to take care of them. The good news is that maintenance is simple. You basically do what you normally do for natural teeth! You must brush and floss your teeth every day. You also need to come in for regular appointments so that we can keep an eye on your veneers. To slow down the staining process, you can limit exposure by avoiding deeply pigmented foods and drinks like coffee, tea, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and the like.