Veneers in Melbourne, FL

Many studies demonstrate that the appearance of our smile impacts how we are judged in social situations. The people we interact with make judgments about our age, intelligence, and trustworthiness, all based on the appearance of our smile. This can be a distressing reality for those who are unhappy with their teeth. Fortunately, there are reliable cosmetic procedures available that conceal flaws. One of them is dental veneers, designed to adjust the shape, color, or size of your teeth, dramatically improving your smile’s appearance.

At Designing Smiles Dentistry, we understand how powerfully a person’s smile can impact their well-being. That’s why our goal is to help you regain confidence in your smile, whether through a single treatment or a complete smile makeover.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment for enhancing your smile. Designed to conceal imperfections, veneers transform your teeth to achieve a radiant, natural-looking smile. Unlike dental crowns—which surround the entire tooth to restore its function—these thin, custom-made shells adhere securely to the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance.

While veneers can be made from composite resin or porcelain, porcelain veneers typically provide the most transformative outcomes. As a commonly used dental material, porcelain is often preferred in creating veneers due to its stability, durability, stain resistance, and natural look.

Typically applied in pairs, the number of veneers needed to meet your smile goals can range from just two teeth to all the teeth in your smile line. At your free consultation, Dr. Apel will guide you in designing your perfect smile, helping you determine how many veneers would best meet your goals.

Who Can Benefit from Veneers?

Veneers camouflage a variety of dental flaws, making them a suitable treatment option for many of our patients. These tooth-colored shells treat teeth that are:

Stained or discolored
Cracked or chipped
Irregularly shaped
Slightly misaligned
Worn down
Improperly spaced or gapped

No matter your cosmetic concern, veneers can restore your confidence in your smile.

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

There are many benefits of porcelain veneers, as they not only enhance the appearance of teeth by covering imperfections but also provide a long-lasting and stain-resistant solution for a radiant and confident smile. Read on to learn more about these and other benefits.

Natural appearance: Porcelain veneers offer a natural look and feel, blending seamlessly with your existing teeth. With light-reflecting and semi-translucent qualities, porcelain veneers mimic the appearance of your enamel. While veneers can create dramatic transformations, no one will know you have had a cosmetic treatment unless you tell them!

Custom made: Fabricated by experienced lab technicians based on intricate models of your teeth, your veneers will be tailor-made for your smile. This process ensures a perfectly secure fit that complements your facial features and preferences.

Minimally invasive: To prepare your teeth for placement, Dr. Apel removes only a small amount of enamel from your teeth. Compared to other cosmetic treatments, veneers preserve more of your natural tooth structure, resulting in minimal discomfort and a quick recovery.

Durability: Porcelain naturally resists corrosion and is strong enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, reducing the need for frequent replacements. As a result, well-maintained porcelain veneers typically last up to 20 years.

Stain resistance: A significant advantage of porcelain is its high stain resistance. While natural teeth can stain from everyday activities like consuming coffee or red wine, porcelain veneers resist discoloration. You can expect the radiance of your smile to last for the life of the veneers.

Low maintenance: Caring for veneers is pretty simple. Following standard oral hygiene practices like regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups will help keep them pristine. To protect your smile, we also recommend wearing a mouthguard when playing sports and a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth at night.

The Veneer Process

We thoroughly plan your treatment to achieve your desired results because we want your smile to be exactly how you have always envisioned it.

Consultation

Your smile transformation begins with a free consultation, during which we will discuss your dental concerns and goals to help you decide if veneers are right for you. We will then examine your teeth and gums, and assess your oral health. We’ll also review cost estimates, procedure details, and a projected treatment timeline. The consultation is your opportunity to share concerns and ask questions so that you are confident in your treatment journey.

To help us create your personalized treatment plan, we’ll take 3D scans and photos of your teeth and mouth. We use these images to make a model of your teeth and a mock-up of your veneers. The mock-up is essentially a blueprint that allows us to envision what your veneers will look like in your mouth. Creating a mock-up ensures a predictable outcome that accurately maps out the desired shape, shade, and size of your veneers.

With something as significant as your smile, we plan your treatment meticulously to ensure the final result meets all your expectations.

Preparing Your Teeth

Once you share your feedback on the veneer mock-up, Dr. Apel will make adjustments as needed. The next step is preparing your teeth for your veneers. Dr. Apel will start by contouring your teeth, removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface. This process is done under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort and only affects the teeth getting veneers. Preparing the teeth in this way allows the veneers to adhere securely and fit seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.

Then, Dr. Apel will take impressions of your teeth so that the dental lab technicians can craft your custom veneers with precision. Typically, fabricating your veneers takes the lab two to three weeks. While you wait, Dr. Apel will give you temporary veneers, which protect your prepared teeth and allow you to adjust to a transformed smile.

Bonding the Veneers

When your final veneers are ready, you’ll come in to have your temporaries removed and your new veneers bonded. Dr. Apel will first place the veneers on your teeth to check the size, shade, shape, and fit. Once you are satisfied, we will clean, polish, and etch your teeth to ensure a secure bond.

Your veneers are bonded to your teeth with durable dental cement. To complete the bonding process, we use an ultraviolet light to harden the adhesive. Dr. Apel will make any needed adjustments to ensure your veneers look great and feel comfortable. At the end of this process, you’ll have a beautiful and functional smile.

Some patients wonder what happens to their teeth under these coverings. There’s no harm to the health of the teeth, but the process is considered irreversible due to the enamel that is removed. However, porcelain veneers are meant to last for many years before needing to be replaced.

Veneers vs. Lumineers®

Patients often ask about the difference between veneers and Lumineers®, which is actually a veneer brand. While made of porcelain, Lumineers differ from standard porcelain veneers. While they require less preparation of the natural teeth than the standard option, Lumineers come with some drawbacks.

Because Lumineers are about as thin as a contact lens, they are prone to chips and cracks, requiring more careful maintenance. Standard porcelain veneers are considerably more durable, making them the preferred choice for long-term reliability.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

With such dramatic transformations possible, patients naturally wonder how much veneers will cost. It is important to recognize that many factors contribute to the final price.

The upfront cost of your veneers will depend on the type of veneer you select, although it should be noted that certain kinds, like porcelain veneers, are so long-lasting that they can save you money in the long run. Cost also depends on the number and location of your veneers.

If you or someone you love is considering veneers and is wondering how to afford them, give us a call. We will gladly explain our flexible financing options that allow you to afford your dental care with manageable monthly payments.

Transform Your Smile at Designing Smiles Dentistry

Dental veneers are a life-changing treatment if you want to improve the shape, color, or size of your teeth. At Designing Smiles Dentistry, we recognize the power of a beautiful smile, providing veneers that will transform your teeth and boost your confidence.

With decades of experience in patient-centered care, Dr. Apel expertly designs your treatment plan, skillfully prepares your teeth, and securely bonds your custom-made veneers. By paying close attention to your concerns and expectations, he ensures you are satisfied with your results. If you are ready to transform your smile, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.