Veneers – Burien, WA
Completely Transform Your Smile in Three Visits or Less
Do chips, stains, and other dental imperfections cause you to hesitate to smile? Maybe you even cover your teeth when you laugh or take a picture because you feel self-conscious. If that’s the case for you, then you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to undergo years of back-to-back treatments to achieve your smile goals; veneers can address a multitude of flaws in just three visits or less. Want to learn more? Then schedule a consultation with our team or read on!
Why Choose Seahurst Park Dentistry for Veneers?
- Trusted by Burien for 50 Years
- Top-Rated Dental Office
- Multiple Financial Options Available
What Are Dental Veneers?
Like other cosmetic dental treatments, veneers are designed to correct common dental imperfections, like minor misalignment, noticeable chips, and permanent discoloration. To do this, thin shells of porcelain (and other high-quality, lifelike, and durable dental materials) are crafted to the ideal shape, size, and shade. By adhering them to the front-facing surface of your teeth, your smile will now be bright, balanced, and seamless.
The Process of Getting Dental Veneers
The first step is your consultation with Dr. Thomas (which is where he will determine if you’re a candidate, learn all about your smile goals, and solidify the details of your treatment). The second step is preparing your teeth for veneers. This involves removing a small portion of your enamel, taking impressions of your teeth, and placing a temporary set of veneers on your teeth. From there, we will send the impressions and veneers specifications to the lab artisans that will craft your final veneers. This typically takes a few weeks, but the moment they are ready, you’ll come back to our office to have them bonded securely in place. Then, the whole process will be complete!
The Benefits of Veneers
If you’re still unsure if veneers are the best smile-enhancing treatment for you, then it may be helpful to learn about all of the benefits they come with, including:
- Lifelike results – Since every veneer is custom-made, it will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth, if not better than your natural teeth.
- Easy maintenance – To keep your veneers in pristine condition, implement the same best practices you do for your natural teeth (like brushing twice a day and getting a dental checkup every six months).
- Long-lasting – With good dental habits in place, your veneers can last for 10+ years.
- Quick turnaround – For most patients, the entire veneers process can be completed in three visits or less.
- Stain-resistant – Since materials like porcelain are stain-resistant, your veneers won’t discolor quickly like your natural teeth.
Thanks to veneers, you don’t have to live with chips, stains, and other imperfections. Instead, you can transform your smile (and your confidence) in a matter of weeks!
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
Veneers come with various advantages when it comes to enhancing your smile. However, it’s best to know how much the procedure will cost before committing to anything. During your initial consultation, our team will walk you through what to expect from the treatment as well as the overall price. Additionally, we can review the other cosmetic dental services available so that you know all your opportunities for improving your teeth. We’ll also discuss your financing options to help keep more money in your pocket.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
Most patients who are interested in cosmetic dental treatment typically want to change the size, shape, or color of their pearly whites to conceal some or many dental imperfections in their smiles. With veneers, you’ll be able to address a wide variety of flaws simultaneously, and the results can last many years before needing replacements. That said, here are some of our other popular cosmetic services and how they compare with veneers:
- Teeth whitening: By using a custom-made at-home whitening kit with special bleaching agents, you can effectively brighten your teeth in as little as two weeks. This treatment is much more affordable than veneers, but it won’t affect the size or shape of your smile. Your results will also only last around several months to a few years with proper care.
- Dental bonding: With composite resin, our team can provide a versatile method of masking multiple flaws with dental bonding. This procedure is similar to veneers as you’ll be able to change the size, shape, color, and spacing of your teeth. However, you’ll likely need to get touchups after several years, whereas veneers can go for 15 years or more with minimal maintenance.
- Clear aligners: If you’ve always wanted a straighter smile, then clear aligners may be a viable option for you. Not only are your clear trays more comfortable and can provide a quicker process compared to traditional braces, but others won’t even notice you’re wearing them unless you say so. Still, this service won’t alter the color, size, or shape of your teeth.
- Veneers: While this method costs more than the other services, your results can make them a worthwhile investment. Veneers completely upgrade any compromised teeth, covering up cracks, chips, stains, and gaps to create your dream look. You can also expect to enjoy your results for well over a decade before needing replacements.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Similar to other cosmetic dental services, veneers won’t usually get coverage from dental insurance companies. This treatment isn’t seen as essential care, so you might have to explore alternative ways to afford your procedure. Fortunately, our team has a membership plan that can give you significant discounts on multiple treatments, including veneers. Currently, we’re offering 6-month plans that come with zero interest, that way you can undergo the procedures you’re interested in without having to break the bank!
Veneer FAQs
What Happens to the Teeth Under Veneers?
Before your veneers are secured in place, a sliver of enamel is removed from the surface to ensure they won’t protrude unnaturally. Rest assured, the bonding material used to attach your veneers is completely safe, and the preparation process won’t increase your risk of tooth decay. All you need to do is continue to incorporate healthy habits into your routine, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, to keep your smile healthy and decay-free.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
Veneers don’t come with a long list of dietary restrictions. That said, there are some foods that increase the risk of them chipping, cracking, or coming loose, like hard pretzels, raw almonds, and peanut brittle. That’s why we recommend eliminating them from your diet as well as increasing your intake of smile-friendly foods, like plain yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese, and bananas.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Veneers have a reputation for being long-lasting. In fact, a study by Layton found that 93% lasted 10 to 11 years and 73% lasted 15 to 16 years. A different study conducted by Beier found that 83% lasted 20 years. Ultimately, the longevity of yours depends largely on how well you care for your smile. For this reason, we strongly recommend incorporating healthy habits into your routine, starting with brushing twice a day and extending to scheduling a dental cleaning twice a year.
How Many Veneers Will I Need?
The answer depends largely on your smile goals! At your consultation, our cosmetic dentist in Burien, Dr. Thomas, will review your dental history, complete an oral exam, and take a look at any “inspo” pictures you have. Then, he will share his recommendation. If you want to fix one chipped tooth, a single veneer may be all that’s needed to achieve the results you desire. If you want a completely new look, then 10 or 12 may be needed instead.
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?
Veneers are not for everyone. At least, veneers aren’t for everyone right away. For example, if there is an active infection in your gums, then we will need to eliminate it before we can discuss cosmetic treatments, like veneers. The good news is that we offer restorative treatments at our office as well, which helps streamline the process of giving you the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.
Can Veneers Fix Crooked Teeth?
If you’ve heard veneers referred to as “instant orthodontics,” you might be wondering if they can give you the straight smile you’ve always wanted. While veneers cannot move your teeth, they can conceal mild overcrowding and spacing issues – all in as little as two visits. One of the best parts is that veneers allow you to address multiple imperfections at once, so we can improve the shade, shape, and size of your teeth as well!
