Dental veneers and laminates are thin shells that are adhered to the front surface of teeth that are visible when smiling or talking. They are usually made from porcelain, but can also be made from dental composite. They are customized in a dental laboratory, meaning that they can enhance your smile while also giving it a natural appearance. Veneers also require less prep for their initial application because they do not encase the entire tooth.

Did You Know?

Veneers can be applied to a single tooth or multiple teeth. Some people opt for porcelain veneers to fix a damaged or discolored tooth, while others use veneers for an entire smile makeover. Often times, the top front eight teeth are the most common teeth to have veneers applied to.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I a candidate for veneers?

You may be an ideal candidate for veneers if you have certain dental issues that you would like to address. Dental veneers can address the following:   

• Teeth that are severely stained
• Unevenly sized or shaped teeth
• Teeth that are poorly aligned or spaced
• Teeth that are crooked or have gaps between them

To find out if you are a good candidate for dental veneers, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dokhanchi and Dr. Micaletti of Fox Valley Dental today.

What are the pros and cons of veneers?

Some of the main pros of veneers are: their ability to easily correct a number of different dental issues, their natural appearance, their compatibility with gum tissue, and the fact that they can be customized to the individual.

Some of the main cons of veneers are: they cannot be repaired if damaged, the treatment is irreversible, it can cause tooth sensitivity, and it is not an ideal option for those with tooth decay or gum disease. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may also be a better option for correcting crooked teeth.

What are veneers made of?

Veneers are most commonly made of porcelain, but they can also be made from resin composite. Many people opt for porcelain veneers because they are more stain-resistant and look more natural than do resin composite veneers. However, resin composite dental veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers. Our dentists can discuss both materials with you to determine which material is the best choice.

Are veneers permanent?

Like most dental restorations, veneers are not permanent and will need to eventually be replaced. However, veneers are considered an irreversible dental treatment because a small amount of your natural tooth enamel must be removed for their placement. Although this amount is only about 1mm or less, once removed, your natural teeth will be permanently altered. The exception is with no-prep veneers, which do not require the removal of tooth enamel for placement.

What are no-prep veneers?

No-prep veneers refers to a type of veneers that can be placed without needing to remove natural tooth structure. Instead, they can be placed directly onto the teeth as they are. Depending on your treatment goals, no-prep veneers may or may not be an ideal option.

How are veneers placed?

Dental veneers are placed over the course of two separate dental appointments, one for veneer preparation and one for veneer placement. During your veneer preparation appointment, your teeth will be prepared for dental veneers by removing a thin layer of enamel. The remaining enamel will then be reshaped to fit a veneer.

Once your teeth have been prepared, a dental impression will be taken to use for the fabrication of your veneers. During a dental impression, you will gently bite down into a plastic or metal tray of soft putty. In about a minute, this putty will harden into a rubber consistency and the trays will be removed from your mouth. This dental impression is then sent to and used by the dental laboratory to custom fabricate veneers for your individual mouth.

When the veneers are complete, they will be sent back to our office and you will come in for your second appointment. During your veneer placement appointment, your teeth will first be cleaned to remove any bacteria and to ensure a smooth surface for the best application. A special adhesive will be applied to your teeth and the veneers will be placed over this. Then, a special curing light will be used to harden the adhesive and secure the veneer in place.

What should I expect after having veneers placed?

After you have your veneers placed, you will be able to eat once the anesthetic wears off and you can feel your mouth. You will have no downtime or dietary restrictions and can return to your usual routine.

In the days after your veneer placement, you may notice that your teeth are sensitive to temperatures and/or sugary foods. This is normal after having veneers placed, and should fade within a week. Tooth sensitivity usually occurs as a result of your dentist removing a small amount of enamel and your teeth needing time to adjust.

In the days following your veneer placement, you may also notice that your teeth feel rough. Rough edges or an overall rough feeling is usually due to extra adhesive that hasn’t worn off yet. Usually, eating and daily brushings will remedy this within the first week. However, you can also come into our office and have any rough patches corrected.

How long do veneers last?

The lifespan of your veneers will depend upon the material they are made from, the type of veneers, and your oral habits. The average lifespan of porcelain veneers is about 10-15 years, while resin composite and no-prep veneers last about 5-7 years.

To keep your veneers lasting for as long as possible, it is recommended to properly care for them by brushing and flossing. Your daily oral health routine should consist of twice daily brushing and once daily flossing. You should also visit Fox Valley Dental at least once every six months for your dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning.

Additionally, you will need to avoid detrimental behaviors that can damage or cause premature wear on your veneers. Such behaviors include smoking, teeth grinding or clenching, using your teeth to open packages, nail biting, and chewing ice or other excessively hard foods. You will also want to try and chew primarily with your rear teeth since veneers are only on your front teeth.

What is the cost of veneers?

The cost of dental veneers will depend upon the materials used and the type. In general, traditional veneers are more expensive than no-prep veneers. However, traditional veneers also last about twice as long as no-prep veneers and are generally a more economical choice in the long run.

Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies will not provide coverage for porcelain laminates or veneers because they are considered a cosmetic procedure. However, our office offers finance options for such dental procedures.

If you are interested in getting dental veneers in Aurora IL, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dokhanchi and Dr. Micaletti of Fox Valley Dental today! We are proud to serve Aurora, as well as the surrounding communities of Sugar Grove, North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Montgomery, Oswego, and Naperville.