Veneers – Charlottesville, VA
Achieve a Radiant Smile with Durable Ceramics
Is your smile marred by stains, cracks, or chips? Do you hide your smile behind your hand because you’re embarrassed by misshaped teeth or odd spacing? You don’t have to live with a smile you don’t love. Cosmetic dentistry today offers many options for enhancing the look of your teeth. One of our most popular ways of correcting imperfect teeth is with veneers. With this incredibly versatile treatment, Dr. Hal M. Lippard can address multiple cosmetic concerns in one fell swoop. To learn more about veneers in Charlottesville and how they can benefit you, call us today!
Why Choose Hal M. Lippard, DDS for Veneers?
- Long-Lasting Ceramic Materials
- Highly Customized to Meet Your Exact Needs
- Caring, Considerate, and Skilled Dentist
What Are Veneers?
In the past, teeth with blemishes had to be covered with a crown. Not anymore. Veneers have been used for decades to correct a wide range of dental imperfections, and are a permanent way to alter the look of your smile. Whether you need to change deeply stained or discolored teeth, correct worn edges, close spaces, cover chips or cracks, or any combination of these aesthetic dental problems, veneers are a great choice. Made of wafer-thin shells of porcelain, veneers fit snugly over your natural tooth and are quite durable. Each veneer is custom-made to blend in with your surrounding teeth. Only you and Dr. Lippard will know that you’ve made a change. Your friends and family will simply notice your beautiful teeth and your confident smile.
Are Veneers Right for Me?
Most people who have some kind of aesthetic imperfection in their smile would make great candidates for veneers. Keep in mind, though, that they only cover up the front surface of a tooth. If your tooth has any structural or health issue, like a cavity, that will have to be treated first. Dr. Lippard can let you know whether you’ll need any treatment prior to having veneers placed.
The Process of Getting Veneers
Your first visit to our office will be for a thorough exam and consultation. If you have a particular smile that you love, we encourage you to bring photos with you. Dr. Lippard can discuss the attributes you admire and how these may be incorporated into your veneers. With many sizes, shapes, and shades of white to consider, our team will help guide you with regard to the style that will suit you best. The doctor will also take your facial features, skin tone, hair color, and eye color into consideration when designing your veneers.
Once you and your cosmetic dentist in Charlottesville have made the decision to move forward with veneers, the design, preparation, and fitting usually take two appointments. At your first visit, Dr. Lippard will buff a small amount of enamel from your teeth and then take a set of impressions. This allows your final set of veneers to fit well and lie perfectly in line with your teeth. We’ll provide a set of temporary veneers for you to wear until your custom restorations arrive. Your second visit will involve the bonding of your handcrafted veneers.
Benefits of Veneers
Some of the main reasons why veneers are so popular are:
- They look so natural that it’s practically impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and your actual tooth.
- Dental porcelain is highly resistant to stains from items like coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco.
- Because they’re so versatile, veneers can correct several smile imperfections at once.
- With the right aftercare, veneers can last up to 20 years!
Veneers FAQs
Veneers in Charlottesville can turn the smile of your dreams into reality, but they are a big commitment. Dr. Lippard understands you may have some concerns, but he will explain everything during your consultation. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to frequently asked questions to determine if veneers might be right for you.
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Are veneers permanent?
Veneers are meant to provide long-term results, but they aren't permanent because they need to be replaced, eventually. However, veneers aren't reversible because a small amount of enamel must be removed during the application process. Your enamel won't grow back if your veneers are removed, so your teeth must always be covered by restorations, whether crowns or veneers. Although your teeth will need to be etched, it doesn't harm their health.
How long do veneers last?
The average lifespan of a veneer is about 10 years, but it's not unusual for them to last for much longer. Various factors will affect the duration of your results, like your oral hygiene routine. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to brush your teeth twice daily, and floss every night before heading to bed. Don't forget to visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. Break any bad habits that can damage your veneers, like using your teeth in place of scissors or chewing on your fingernails. Wear an athletic mouthguard if you play sports to protect your investment. With the right care at home and regular attention from a dentist, your dazzling results can last for a decade or longer.
How many veneers will I need?
No two mouths are the same, so there’s no way to know how many veneers you'll need without first seeing a cosmetic dentist in Charlottesville. A veneer can be applied to a single tooth to enhance its color, size, and shape. However, the goal of veneers is to improve your entire smile. As a result, Dr. Lippard will probably recommend bonding them to the teeth visible when smiling because every situation differs. Some patients may only need 4 to 6, but others may require 8 or more. Dr. Lippard will examine your mouth and learn more about your goals to determine how many you will need to achieve a picture-perfect smile.
Does dental insurance cover veneers?
It's unlikely dental insurance will pay for veneers because they are elective, but there are exceptions. Dental insurance only covers cosmetic services if they are medically necessary, which can be the case when needing replacement veneers. Your coverage may pay for certain steps in your treatment plan, like any preparatory procedures. A member of our team will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize any applicable benefits. If there's any remaining balance, we will review your payment options to keep the cost of veneers within your budget, like third-party financing. You can pay for your new smile using monthly payments with little or no interest financing.