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Veneers – Fort Smith, AR

Quickly Fix Many Cosmetic Dental Flaws

Group of friends smiling with dental veneers in Fort Smith

Many popular actors, newscasters, and politicians understand how vital having an attractive, maintained appearance is for audience approval. Being able to confidently look someone in the eye creates a powerful first impression, so people who work in a group setting regularly can appreciate the value of an incredible smile. For those with less-than-perfect teeth, it is reassuring to know there is a solution to quickly fix many cosmetic dental flaws. At New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS, we are pleased to offer an effective treatment to restore your confident grin for a decade or more in only two appointments with dental veneers in Fort Smith. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation!

What Are Dental Veneers?

3 D illustration of veneers

Veneers are ultra-thin shells of porcelain that your dentist permanently attaches to the front of your teeth. They can disguise a wide range of flaws, including:

  • Discoloration
  • Cracks and chips
  • Minor misalignment
  • Small gaps
  • Teeth that are too small
  • Misshapen teeth

You can choose to get a single veneer to cover a particularly unattractive tooth or invest in an entire set of veneers to achieve a complete smile transformation.

The Process of Getting Veneers

woman getting veneers

The process to upgrade your smile with veneers is relatively simple. First, you sit down for a consultation with our cosmetic dentist, who gets familiar with your dental needs and particular smile goals. Once you are deemed a viable candidate, he will remove a tiny amount of enamel, so your veneers have room to blend in perfectly with your current grin.

From there, he will take 3D images of your teeth that a trusted dental lab technician will use to create your custom veneers. The timeframe for this step is usually a few weeks, so we will provide you with temporary veneers to wear.

When we receive your permanent veneers from the lab, Dr. López will place them using exceptionally strong bonding cement. Further customization will be done as needed. Once the process is completed, you’ll have a sensational smile, and we’ll make sure you are informed on how to take great care of it!

The Benefits of Veneers

man smiling

Why are veneers worth every penny? Because they are:

  • Long-Lasting: With proper care and regular checkups, veneers can maximize your smile for well over a decade.
  • Stain-Resistant: Veneers aren’t nearly as susceptible to stains as your natural tooth enamel, so they can be an effective long-term whitening solution.
  • Custom-Made: Veneers are crafted to be the perfect size, shape, and color to blend in with your specific smile.
  • Easy to Maintain: Just as you do for natural teeth, be sure to brush twice and floss once daily, plus rinse with mouthwash. Then, visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning while he also checks the fit and appearance of your veneers.

Understanding the Cost of Veneers

Woman’s hands holding cash

Veneers are associated with a hefty price tag, but they are affordable for people from all walks of life. Although they were expensive in the past, you don’t have to be rich or famous to benefit from veneers. There’s no flat fee for the procedure because every mouth and situation are unique. Dr. Gilberto Lopez will create the personalized plan you need to revamp your smile without draining your bank account.

Cost vs. Cosmetic Dentistry: What's Right For Me?

Empty dentist’s chair

You have more options than ever before to address common aesthetic flaws. Each option has different costs, timelines, and lifespans, which are important to consider when choosing a procedure. Although every case differs, popular cosmetic treatments include:

  • Braces: Metal braces and clear aligners can fix a variety of bite and alignment issues. Depending on the treatment you choose, you can expect the process to take 12 to 24 months. Although braces are effective, it can be a long commitment if you only need minor adjustments.
  • Teeth Whitening: Teeth whitening is effective in treating age-related and surface stains. Your teeth can get up to 8 shades whiter, and your results can last for many months or years with the right aftercare.
  • Direct Bonding: A composite resin provides a quick fix for minor flaws, like decay, a chipped tooth, or an exposed root. It provides natural-looking results that last for about 5 to 15 years.
  • Veneers: A veneer can improve the color, shape, and size of a tooth. However, when applying them to the teeth visible when smiling, you can correct many issues using one minimally invasive procedure. You can treat stains, chips, and gaps in just 2 appointments. Although veneers may cost more than other procedures, they can be the most affordable overall. You won’t need multiple or lengthy procedures, and your new smile can last for a decade or longer.

Dr. Lopez will examine your mouth and learn more about your preferences to find the best treatment for your expectations, timeline, and budget.

How to Make Veneers Affordable

Credit card and wallet

A member of our team will review your personalized estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll have to pay before committing to anything. They will also discuss your payment options to keep the smile of your dreams affordable, like:

  • Traditional Payments: Our office accepts cash, personal checks, and credit cards.
  • Dental Insurance: It’s not common for dental insurance to pay for elective procedures, like veneers. However, your benefits may cover your consultation, diagnostic services, and preparatory procedures. If Dr. Lopez determines an aesthetic service is medically necessary, you can use your benefits to lower the amount you’ll pay.
  • Monthly Payments: Based on your credit approval, you can benefit from little or no interest in financing to make monthly payments.
  • Specials: We offer regular promotions for select services, which we will review during your appointment.

Porcelain Veneers FAQs

When it comes to perfecting smiles, porcelain veneers offer the most stunning results. Choosing to improve your smile is a big decision, so it’s natural to have some questions you’d like answered before committing to a treatment plan. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about porcelain veneers so you can learn more about them. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for or you’d like to schedule a consultation, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

Are Porcelain Veneers Right for Me?

Porcelain veneers have long been a popular choice among celebrities and movie stars, but nowadays, practically anyone can benefit from this fantastic treatment. They’re often used to correct issues like:

  • Minor chips and cracks
  • Stubborn stains or discoloration
  • Small gaps or spaces between teeth
  • Teeth that are slightly crooked or misshapen

You’ll also need to be in good oral health before getting porcelain veneers. During your consultation, Dr. López will discuss your goals for your smile with you, review your oral health, and ensure that porcelain veneers are right for you.

How Long Does It Take to Get Porcelain Veneers?

Improving your smile with porcelain veneers can typically be done in two simple appointments. During your first visit, Dr. López will remove a thin layer of enamel (about the same thickness as a contact lens) and take impressions of your teeth. Then, we’ll place temporary veneers and send you home while the impressions are sent to a local dental lab to create your permanent veneers. After a few weeks, you’ll return to our office to have your temporary veneers replaced with your beautiful, custom-made ones. Once they’re bonded into place and we’ve checked that your bite feels comfortable, you’ll be ready to go out and show off your new flawless smile!

How Many Porcelain Veneers Will I Need?

Each porcelain veneer is precisely crafted to fit over the surface of a tooth, so you could technically use a single veneer to transform the appearance of just one tooth. However, we typically recommend getting an even number of porcelain veneers. Getting porcelain veneers on the front two, four, six, or eight teeth tends to provide the most seamless and beautiful results.

Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?

When considering porcelain veneers, it’s important to keep in mind that the procedure cannot be reversed. The enamel that needs to be removed in order to place the veneers on the front of the teeth does not grow back naturally. Since the enamel is what protects the sensitive inner layers of the teeth from damage and decay, these altered teeth will always need to be covered by veneers. Thankfully, your porcelain veneers should easily last you 10-20 years or more with the right care.

Are Porcelain Veneers Expensive?

Porcelain veneers are not typically covered by dental insurance, which can make them somewhat pricey. However, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to achieve the happy, healthy, and beautiful smile you deserve. That’s why we offer flexible financing options through CareCredit. These low- to no-interest payment plans can help break up the cost of your treatment into affordable payments that easily fit into your monthly budget. During your initial consultation, we’ll be happy to give you a personalized estimate for the cost of your treatment and review how to make your new smile affordable.