Veneers – Houston, TX
Rejuvenating Smiles with a Single Personalized Treatment
Most people have dental damage, discoloration, or misalignment that impacts their confidence whenever they smile or speak. Instead of accepting the fact that you feel less-than-enthusiastic about your grin, you can invest in a customized cosmetic treatment, like dental veneers. At Hiner Family Dentistry, we’re able to repair several cosmetic imperfections in a single, personalized procedure to make your dream smile a reality. Call our office today to schedule a consultation.
- Locally Owned & Operated
- Free Parking & Easily Accessible Office
- Personalized Veneer Treatment
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, durable sheaths of porcelain or ceramic that are customized to fit over the visible surface of individual teeth that you’d like to improve the appearance of. Because they’re made separately, we’re able to use this treatment to improve the overall appearance of your smile, or just one or two teeth that you feel self-conscious about.
Once they’re cemented onto the visible surface of prepared teeth, they’re able to make a smile that once appeared discolored, misaligned, or damaged, look beautiful, bright, and refreshed. Plus, with the proper maintenance, they can last for up to two decades without needing to be replaced!
The Process of Getting Veneers
The process of getting veneers takes place over the course of two to three appointments, depending on the extent of your case. For most cases, we’ll go through the following steps:
- Consultation. During your consultation, you’ll speak with your cosmetic dentist, either Dr. Matt Hiner or Dr. Reagan Hiner, who will ask you about your smile goals and conduct a visual examination of your teeth. Based on what they learn, they’ll walk you through what the process would look like, as well as the cost.
- Preperation of Teeth. Once you decide to move forward with treatment, we’ll prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel, about the thickness of a contact lens. This will allow your veneers to lay flush with your surrounding teeth and look as natural as possible.
- Impressions. We’ll take digital impressions of your mouth that our dental laboratory will craft your permanent veneers from.
- Placing of Temporaries. Before you leave our office after your teeth have been prepared, we’ll place temporary ones to help protect them and allow you to “try-on” your new smile until your permanent ones arrive.
- Removal of Temporaries and Placement of Permanent Veneers. Once we receive your permanent veneers, your cosmetic dentist will ensure that they meet their exact specifications before calling you into the office to cement them onto your teeth.
The Benefits of Veneers
Dental veneers offer a wide range of benefits that you’ll be able to enjoy, including:
- A lifespan of up to 25 years with the proper maintenance
- Can be crafted from stain-resistant dental porcelain
- Easy to maintain
- Minimally invasive
- Ability to fix a variety of imperfections in one cosmetic treatment
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how our team at Hiner Family Dentistry can improve the appearance of your grin, request a consultation with us today!
Understanding the Cost of Veneers
If you’re interested in enhancing your smile with veneers, you’re probably wondering how much they cost. We’re not able to provide a detailed estimate until your consultation appointment because the price can vary based on your circumstances. That said, many patients feel it’s more than worth it because of the many advantages they provide. If you’re on the fence, keep reading to learn about a few factors that can help you decide.
Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s Right for Me?
There’s more than one way to upgrade your grin and we’re happy to offer several cosmetic dental treatments that can help. You can choose one or multiple services at different price points to improve your appearance based on what it is that you’d like to achieve.
Invisalign- As a popular alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign utilizes clear plastic aligner trays to gently correct overcrowded, gapped, or misaligned teeth. The price depends on your unique needs but can reach several thousand dollars. Treatment generally takes 12-18 months to complete depending on the patient’s treatment compliance.
Teeth Whitening- This is one of the least invasive and most cost-effective cosmetic services. We use professional-grade ZOOM! Teeth Whitening in both our take-home kits as well as in-office appointments. You can lighten your teeth by several shades in a single, hour-long appointment. This option may be more costly than over-the-counter products but gets better results while minimizing tooth sensitivity.
Direct Bonding- By applying color-matched composite resin to your teeth, we can mend or mask minor aesthetic concerns like chips, stains, and small gaps. This typically can be completed in a single appointment and is less costly than other treatments that address the same problems, like veneers. That makes this a highly convenient and inexpensive choice. However, it may need to be repaired or replaced after 3+ years.
Veneers- These can address multiple imperfections like discolored, misshapen, slightly crooked, chipped, or cracked teeth. It can cost more initially, but you could save money in the long run because they last 15+ years with the right care.
How to Make Veneers Affordable
Although there may be exceptions, most dental insurance policies don’t cover veneers because they’re an elective treatment intended to build up your looks. We believe that your budget shouldn’t keep you from having the perfect smile you deserve. We’re proud to provide other ways to help you manage the cost of veneers including:
- Flexible financing- We partner with CareCredit, a third-party financing company, to help break your payments down into more manageable installments.
- In-house membership plans- We offer benefits at different levels so you’re sure to enjoy the many discounts and services included in our onsite membership plans.
If you have additional questions or would like to schedule your consultation appointment, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to assist you!
Veneer FAQs
Is It Painful to Get Veneers?
Let’s start with one of the most popular questions: is it painful to get veneers? If you’ve been wondering this yourself, you’ll be happy to hear that we numb your mouth during the placement portion of the process. In other words, it doesn’t hurt to get veneers.
Note: Once the numbing solution wears off, you may feel some slight sensitivity. In that case, it’s best to avoid really hot/cold foods and beverages, use a desensitizing toothpaste, and take OTC pain medication as directed on the label.
Is There Anything I Can’t Eat with Veneers?
Just like your natural teeth, your veneers aren’t indestructible. So, it’s important to exercise caution with hard, crunchy, and sticky foods. It’s also a good idea to limit your intake of foods and drinks that are loaded with added sugar. Simply put, even though there aren’t any foods that are completely off-limits, there are some that are better than others when it comes to the look, health, and function of your smile. So, do your best to stick to a well-balanced diet that’s filled with fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods.
Will I Still Be Able to Drink Coffee with Veneers?
If your morning starts with a cup of coffee or you look forward to an iced latte every afternoon, there’s good news: you can still drink this caffeinated beverage with veneers! As your dental team, we do have some recommendations though. First, keep sugar and other additives to a minimum since they increase your risk of tooth decay. Second, use a straw to prevent discoloration from surfacing on your teeth. Third, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you’re done to remove any lingering residue.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Research conducted in 2007 found that 91% lasted for over a decade. More recently, a study from Beier reported that more than 90% lasted a decade and more than 80% lasted for two decades. Of course, the longevity of your results depends largely on how well you care for your smile. For example, if you overindulge on drinks with alcohol, then there’s a good chance that your veneers will completely fall off since alcohol weakens the bonding material. That’s why we strongly recommend committing to a solid oral hygiene regimen, which includes flossing consistently, getting a dental checkup and cleaning twice a year, and quitting unhealthy habits like smoking.
What Materials are Used for Veneers?
Composite resin and porcelain are the two most used materials for veneers. Although both come in a wide range of lifelike shades, there are distinct differences when it comes to price, longevity, and even reversibility. If you’re interested in learning more about each material and, ultimately, which one is best for you, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist!