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Portland Porcelain Veneers

A woman smiling at the beachOver the years, it’s easy for teeth to go through some hard times, even if you practice oral care and make regular dental visits. Stubborn stains can make you feel self-conscious about showing off your smile more often. Cosmetic chips due to trauma can be unsightly. Gaps or misalignment can be frustrating, especially if you don’t want to undergo orthodontic treatment. Regardless of the imperfections you’re dealing with, you don’t have to settle nor resort to several different treatments to get the smile you’ve always wanted. If you’re interested in the most comprehensive cosmetic treatment to date, contact our dentist in Portland at RiverPlace Dental to schedule your consultation.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

A diagram of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are cosmetic restorations made from dental ceramics. Unlike dental crowns, veneers are ultra-thin and designed to sit flush against natural teeth in order to cover imperfections, change the overall shape of teeth or make teeth appear more even. Each veneer is customized to match your existing teeth exactly in order to make them look as natural as possible. Once created, the veneers are bonded to your teeth and cared for just like your natural teeth.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

A closeup of a white smile

Not only are porcelain veneers a great long-term solution for cosmetic imperfections, but they’re also ideal for solving many issues at the same time. Through porcelain veneers, it’s easy to fix:

No other treatment works to improve the appearance of your smile as quickly and significantly as porcelain veneers. In just two appointments, your dentist can examine your teeth and take impressions of your smile and in about two weeks, your permanent veneers will be ready for placement.

Learn About the Process

After you’ve had a conversation with your dentist about the imperfections you’d like to fix, they’ll begin the process of lightly buffing down your enamel in order to make room for the veneers. The amount buffed is very minimal, but permanent, so keep this in mind. Once buffed down, the dentist will take impressions and send them off to a lab to create the final restoration. During this time, you’ll wear temporary veneers to help you get acclimated with your new smile.

When you come back, you’ll have the temporary veneers replaced with your permanent versions and get the chance to confirm that your smile is exactly the way you wanted. If not, our dentist will perform adjustments as needed until you’re fully satisfied.

How to Care for Porcelain Veneers

A woman brushing her teeth

Porcelain veneers don’t require any special maintenance to care for. In fact, dental porcelain is less susceptible to staining because it lacks the many cracks and crevices typically associated with natural tooth enamel. However, if the veneers become damaged, they can become more vulnerable to stains, so take note of the following tips.

With the right care, your veneers can last 10 to 15 years and even longer! To get started on your journey for a smile worth dreaming for, schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dentist in Portland today!

Understanding the Cost of Veneers

Dental instruments on money

Many people attribute veneers with a hefty price tag, but they aren’t out of your budget. Believe it or not, veneers can be the most cost-effective method of treating several aesthetic concerns. Various factors affect the cost of veneers in Portland; however, Dr. Megan McInnis strives to keep confident smiles affordable for everyone. After learning more about your goals and budget, she’ll explain all your options to make the best investment.

Cost VS Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?

Woman at dental consultation

Continual advancements in dentistry provide more procedures than ever to treat common cosmetic concerns, like discoloration, alignment issues, or broken teeth. After examining your mouth and discussing your preferences, Dr. McInnis will explain all your options, including the pros/cons and cost of each. Although every case differs, you may be a candidate for:

  • Braces: Brackets and wires aren’t the only method to fix bite and alignment issues. Clear aligners provide a discreet solution. While both methods are effective, the average treatment plan is between 12 to 24 months, which can be a long commitment if you only have minor alignment concerns.
  • Teeth Whitening: A professional whitening system can get teeth up to 8 shades whiter. Unfortunately, not all stains respond to whitening treatments, like those caused by medications. However, when used on surface stains, your smile can stay bright for several months to years with the right maintenance.
  • Direct Bonding: Direct bonding offers a lot of bang for your buck. Composite resin is shaded to match the color of your enamel to provide natural-looking results. It’s an affordable method to fix minor cosmetic and restorative problems, like decay or chips.
  • Veneers: A veneer covers the front surface of a tooth, improving its color, size, and shape. When applied to the teeth most visible when smiling, they can hide multiple cosmetic issues simultaneously, like stains, chips, and gaps. After 2 appointments, you can have a picture-perfect smile that can last a decade or longer with veneers in Portland.

We will provide you with a personalized estimate and explain the fees, so you will know exactly what you will have to pay before committing to anything.

How to Make Veneers Affordable

Man holding cash for payment

You don’t have to be a celebrity to benefit from cosmetic dentistry. Your cosmetic dentist in Portland offers many solutions to keep a confident smile affordable. We will review all your options during your consultation, which include:

  • Traditional Payments: Our office accepts all traditional payment methods, including cash, checks, and credit cards.
  • Dental Insurance: It’s rare for dental insurance to cover elective procedures, but there are expectations, such as if the treatment is medically necessary like to repair a broken tooth. Depending on your coverage and treatment, your insurance may pay 50% to 80% of the cost after meeting your deductible.
  • In-House Membership Plan: You can enjoy discounted services for a membership fee.
  • Patient Specials: Ask us about any current patient specials.
  • Third-Party Financing: Pay for your new smile using monthly installments through a third-party financing company, like CareCredit.

If you are ready to invest in the smile you desire, contact our office today to request your consultation.

Veneers FAQs

Do Veneers Feel Natural?

It may take a few days to get used to your veneers in Portland, but you may soon forget you're wearing them. Your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel to ensure your veneers sit flush on your teeth. There won't be any uncomfortable ridges or ledges. Each veneer will be carefully crafted to fit your tooth like a glove. Your teeth will feel smooth and sleek when running your tongue over them. Porcelain allows veneers to be thinner than ever before, so your teeth won't feel bulky or heavy.

How Many Veneers Will I Need?

It's possible to apply a veneer to a single tooth to fix a chip or crack. However, the overall goal of veneers is to enhance the entire smile. Therefore, your cosmetic dentist in Portland, Dr. Megan McInnis, may recommend bonding them to the teeth that show when you smile. This will create seamless results. Since every smile is unique, there's no way to know how many veneers you'll need until after first examining your mouth. Some patients only need 6 or 8, but others may require 10 or more. Your dentist will explain how many you'll need during your consultation.

Will Veneers Make My Teeth Sensitive?

Although you'll sacrifice a little enamel to benefit from veneers, they won't make your teeth sensitive. In fact, veneers are often recommended for patients with ongoing sensitivity. They provide an additional layer of protection against outside elements and your underlying dentin.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Thanks to porcelain and a unique etching method, veneers last for longer than ever before. The average lifespan of a veneer is about 10 years, but it's not unusual for them to last for much longer. Many factors affect their life expectancy, but you can get the most from your investment with good oral hygiene habits and regular dental care. Limit your consumption of hard and chewy foods. Keep inedible objects out of your mouth to avoid damaging your veneers.

Can I Use My Dental Insurance for Veneers?

Veneers are considered elective, so it's unlikely your dental insurance will cover any of their cost unless they're medically necessary. This can be the case when needing replacement veneers. However, your benefits may cover any preparatory procedures, like fillings or gum disease therapy. We will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable coverage.

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