Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is a material that is actually very durable and in many ways resembles natural tooth enamel. It is not surprising that cosmetic dentistry should make use of this material when using porcelain veneers in order to repair damaged an discolored teeth.
Porcelain veneers were among the first prosthetic devices used in modern cosmetic dentistry, and given how important looks are to big-screen actors, it should not be surprising that such prostheses were first used in Hollywood. Back in the 1930s however, these were little more than a "quick fix" for an actor just before going on camera; they were not intended to last more than a day.
Today's veneers are much more durable and actually much better looking and more similar to natural teeth. The dentist will do an extensive examination of the patient's teeth, including x-rays and color images as well as many measurements. This information is then submitted to a lab where the patient's porcelain veneers will be made to order.
These veneers are then slipped over the patient's natural, but damaged teeth and fixed in place using a special type of adhesive. Once in place, these porcelain teeth can last as long as fifteen years before they will need to be replaced.
The Cost of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can be very expensive, although the cost varies greatly from one region of the country to another, and even between dental practices in the same town. It's a good idea to avoid "bargain priced veneers," however; a dentist who offers veneers for less than $300 per tooth is probably not very competent, or is using inferior materials that are unlikely to last very long. In general, one should expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200 per tooth in order to get the job done properly; costs among experienced cosmetic dentists in major markets generally runs from $950 to $2200 per tooth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
