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Dr. Omz Cosmetic Dentistry

Porcelain Veneers

Overview

Porcelain veneers are essentially thin, meticulously designed, laminate shells that cover only the surface of the teeth that is visible when you smile. The purpose of veneers is to mask cosmetic imperfections such as size and shape discrepancies, open spaces, chipping and yellowing and other flaws that can’t otherwise be solved by more traditional and conservative methods. With proper care, they can last 15 to 20 years. There are different types and styles of veneers with different methods of preparing them for your smile, all of which is discussed with Dr. Omar during the first consultation visit. Generally, the process takes 2-3 weeks to have your final veneers created and cemented.

Process:

What happens during the Veneers procedure?

1. The Consult

Once your cosmetic dentist approves you as a candidate for veneers, they will begin developing your “shared language” by providing you with photos of smile template designs and examples. From there, you will be able to demonstrate what details you like and don’t like. Patients are encouraged to bring their own examples and screenshots of smiles they’ve come across that they’ve liked. From there, Dr. Omar will provide his own insight to assist you in coming up with the perfect smile that suits you. Shade samples and examples of veneer styles and sizes will be provided. Some specific features to be discussed include:

Translucent (see-through) edges and gradients

Canine pointedness

Developmental grooves (designed to make veneers look more natural)

Square, taper, or roundness of edges

Youthful versus mature styles

Masculine versus feminine features

2. The Veneer “Wax-up”

Treatment planning for veneers generally begins when an impression, and several photos, are taken of your teeth. From here, Dr. Omar generates a Wax-up, or mockup. Essentially it is a carefully crafted simulated model of what your future smile is going to look like. During this visit, patients are encouraged to review their wax-up with Dr. Omar and offer their thoughts and opinions on it. Most times, you can even “try on” your new smile over your existing teeth with temporary resin. This allows you to assess how your smile would look in your mouth without fully committing to the procedure. Just as a suit tailor fits you with fabrics before final stitching, Dr. Omar meticulously measures how the veneer design would suit you before final processing.

3. The Veneer Preparation

Not every veneer preparation is the same. Apart from no-prep veneers (LumineersÒ), the porcelain veneer procedure usually involves minor reduction in tooth structure. This means that a small portion of enamel is irreversibly removed from the surface of the teeth to make room for the overlying porcelain material. The exact amount of that enamel reduction is determined by your dentist. If a patient say, has smaller teeth with spaces between them, or they desire a fuller smile, the process will involve much less “shaving” of tooth structure since the desired change is more about the addition of material, not the subtraction of it. Dr. Omar always provides his patients with the most conservative and minimally invasive veneer preparation possible.

4. Final Fitting

Before the final visit, patients will be “test-driving” their new smiles in temporary veneers for 2 weeks while their final veneers are being designed by the ceramist and lab. During this period, patients are encouraged to communicate any thoughts or concerns about their smile, as any minor adjustments can still be made and relayed to the ceramist at this time. Finally, when the porcelain veneers arrive, Dr. Omar simply removes your temporary veneers and tries on your permanent porcelain veneers. Final adjustments can still be made at this appointment.

Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?

No, the process is not considered painful. Patients may experience some mild sensitivity to cold beverages during the temporary veneer stage, but the experience is considered to be painless. Dr. Omar is notorious for his soft touch, painless injection technique, and considerable skill to give patients the most comfortable experience possible.

How much do Porcelain Veneers cost?

Porcelain veneers from Dr. Omar typically cost anywhere between $800 and $3000 per tooth, on average. The final expense is determined by the total number of veneers, the type of veneer, and complexity of the case. With an artful eye, a genuine love for the craft, and a gratification for helping others, Dr. Omar offers his services at a cost that’s affordable for more patients. As one of San Diego’s most experienced cosmetic dentists, Dr. Omar does literally hundreds of smile makeovers per year and championed around the city, by his patients, for his dedication, professionalism, and artful eye. Thousands of veneer placements over a young career makes Dr. Omar’s clinical experience much more relevant and significant than his age. With the sheer volume of satisfied patients and their referrals, Dr. Omar can extend a more affordable smile cost than most, while time permits.

Don’t let financial issues stop you from getting the care you deserve. Please ask us about our financial options during your consultation. We are proud to offer payment plans with different third-party lenders with affordable loan options to eligible patients. For your free cost estimate, click here for a free virtual consultation.

Why should I choose Dr Omar for porcelain veneers?

While the quality of the porcelain used in your veneers is probably consistent between most dentists (Lithium Disilicate vs Feldspathic Porcelain), the actual quality of the work is based on the clinician themselves. Proper planning and design are the most critical components in ensuring perfect results. It’s the difference between your veneers lasting 2 years and 20 years. Precision and experience are needed to avoid common clinical mistakes like:

Dark margins around the gumline

Swollen or irritated gums

Chipping, fracturing, or falling out

Bulky or fake looking teeth

Dr. Omar is a truly skilled cosmetic dentist that will take the time to evaluate details that are often overlooked by most. For instance, your smile line, lip shadow, chewing mechanics, and even the profile of your face affects the style and shape of your future veneers. It’s also important that your dentist has an honest and open conversation with you about what you are looking for. A great dentist will help you establish a “shared language” that will be useful in articulating what exactly that is. This helps avoid miscommunications and redoing any work.

Ultimately the process is about trust. It’s something Dr. Omar never takes for granted. There’s a bond or social contract made between a doctor and a patient when choosing to take the journey together. It’s not simply transactional. Trust is invaluable and in exchange, Dr. Omar vows to be the reachable, caring, and maniacally obsessive perfectionist he can possibly be for his patients.