Do you hide your smile behind a grin for photos or when meeting new people? Are you dissatisfied with your smile? If so, schedule an appointment with Dr. Julie Glud about cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, or white crowns can improve the appearance of front teeth, boost self-confidence, and increase your face value.
What are veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a restoration made from high-grade dental porcelain, layered for optimal esthetics. A ceramist creates each veneer by hand in our dental lab, according to Dr. Glud’s specific instructions for shape, size, and shade.
Dr. Glud places a veneer on a prepared front tooth to improve the shape, size, color, and alignment, and to fill gaps and correct uneven spacing. With good oral health and no injuries, porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years or more.
What type of patient would benefit from veneers?
Veneers are ideal for adult patients who have these cosmetic imperfections:
- Stains that don’t respond to professional whitening treatments
- Gaps or uneven spacing between teeth
- Chips and sharp or ridged edges
- Teeth that appear too small
- Slightly misaligned or twisted teeth
- Uneven teeth (one seems longer than others, for instance)
Commonly, veneers are part of a smile makeover plan.
Patients who have these habits may not be right for veneers:
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)
- Cavities, abscesses, or gum disease (restorative dentistry required)
- Chewing on objects like fingernails, pen caps, pencils, ice, etc.
- Ignoring good oral hygiene habits: brushing, flossing, attending six-month checkups and cleanings
Are there alternatives to veneers?
Yes! Veneers will last longer than any alternative restoration, but they are also more expensive. If finances won’t allow you to get veneers, you can opt for cosmetic bonding or white crowns. If you opt for bonding, you can later choose veneers. However, veneers are permanent. Once you have them, the procedure cannot be reversed. When the restorations need replacement (in a few decades), you’ll need to have new veneers placed.
For bonding, Dr. Glud uses composite resin, tinted to match the tooth on which it will be applied. Composite resin is the same material we use to fill cavities. After placing and shaping the resin, the dentist applies a cool curing light to harden the bonding. She’ll check your bite to make sure the restored tooth fits well with opposing teeth. In just one visit, you’ll have a fresh, new smile!
White crowns made of ceramic, zirconia, or porcelain fused to metal (PFM) can restore front teeth with cosmetic issues. However, crowns may appear bulky and unnatural if they aren’t high quality. Consult with Dr. Glud, and share your concerns. She’ll help you make the right decision about your smile’s future.
What do dental veneers cost?
Veneers pricing depends upon how many will be placed and the type of material we’ll use to create the restorations. Dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry, so Dr. Glud accepts credit cards and also offers CareCredit. This low- and no-interest financing option helps patients afford cosmetic dental work, as well as high deductibles for restorative care.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation
Would you like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry? Call Dental Care of Lombard today at 630-629-5700 and reserve a time to discuss your smile with Dr. Julie Glud. She’ll examine your mouth and talk with you about your expectations, lifestyle, habits, and dental health. Then, together, you and Dr. Glud will determine the best treatment plan to deliver a smile you’ll love.
