Why make trip after trip to the dentist to achieve a beautiful, award-winning smile? At the Poway, CA office of Dr. Langenbach and Dr. Thomas, you won’t have to since you can receive porcelain veneers in just one day. Porcelain veneers are a way to transform the look of teeth with pieces of extremely thin porcelain that are custom-made to fit your teeth. The veneers will match the natural shape and color of your teeth after they are bonded on to the front of your teeth.
Our practice places veneers for crooked, misshapen, extremely stained or discolored, disproportionate, and chipped teeth. Porcelain veneers also are used to camouflage small spaces between the teeth and to achieve an overall uniform, whiter, more gorgeous smile.
LUMINEERS®
Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineers are thinner, which eliminates aggressive tooth preparation, including filing the teeth, anesthesia, and temporary veneers. The Lumineers process starts with the dentist creating an impression of the patient’s upper and lower teeth, which are sent to a Lumineers laboratory. Once the patient’s custom-made Lumineers are sent back to the dentist (usually in about 2 – 3 weeks), the patient returns to have their Lumineers fitted and placed. The patient’s Lumineers are then easily applied without problems of pain and sensitivity. About as thin as a contact lens, Lumineers improve the patient’s smile while still looking natural. With proper home care and regular dental exams and cleanings, Lumineers should last for about 20 years.
“Always excellent service! – Dr. Langenbach is amazing! Always pleased with any dental work he does. Thank you Dr. L for giving me my smile back :)”
– Anonymous / Vitals / Nov 13, 2017
WHAT TO EXPECT
Before a porcelain veneer is placed, the dentist must remove a thin layer of enamel from the front surface of each tooth to make room for veneer. After the enamel is removed a digital impression of the teeth is made and sent to a dental laboratory where an expert will tailor-made the patient’s veneers. The veneer is made of several thin layers of ceramic. Until the veneer is ready, the patient will wear a temporary veneer. Once the veneer is ready, the patients will return to the dentist for an appointment where a special resin is used as a bonding agent between the veneer and the tooth. Veneers are durable and can last up to 20 years with proper oral hygiene and care.
TREATMENT AFTERCARE
For the first few days, a patient may be more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures because of the removal of the natural enamel. This should subside within a few days. A week after the veneers are placed, a patient needs a follow-up appointment at the dentist’s office to make sure the mouth is responding well to the veneers. Due to the material they are made of and since they are easy to polish, the probability of staining veneers is slight to none. It’s still a good idea to brush after consuming foods or drinks that stain the teeth, especially coffee, soda, tea, and red wine. Veneers should be brushed with a non-abrasive toothpaste, flossed, and rinsed with mouthwash just like natural teeth. Patients should be sure to keep up with regular dental appointments so the dentist can perform professional maintenance by polishing the veneers with a special, non-abrasive paste to keep them in pristine condition.
ANTICIPATED COSTS
The cost can vary when it comes to porcelain veneers. Factors such as the labor and skill going into creating the veneers, the number of teeth that will be treated, and the material used all play a role. Typically, veneers can cost between $1,500 – $2,500 per tooth. Since this is considered a cosmetic treatment, insurance usually doesn’t cover the costs, but in some cases, insurance might cover some of the costs.
CONSIDERING VENEERS?
Veneers are a great idea for anyone who wants to revitalize their smile. If you think this is the procedure for you, give our office a call as soon as possible to set up your consultation, so we can make your smile is more brilliant than ever.