What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are permanently cemented on the front of the teeth to enhance the shape, shade and esthetics of the tooth.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on the patient's needs, their teeth health, and the overall smile they want. The more veneers done, the more control we have in changing the overlook esthetics and the overall bite. It also depends on the budget of the patient. Doing two or four veneers can greatly improve a patient's smile. We avoid doing six veneers in a row as this means stopping at the canines which makes the smile unnatural and the veneers conspicuous.
Do veneers damage your teeth?
No. Veneers don’t actively damage your teeth. However, it’s still possible for the natural tooth structure underneath to decay. Therefore, it’s important to brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings.
Are Veneers Permanent?
It depends. Most veneers are considered a semi-permanent solution. Porcelain veneers can last over a decade with proper care, while composite veneers may need replacing after 5–7 years. With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, your veneers can look great for years to come.
Are Veneers Worth It?
Yes. If you value a bright, confident smile and want fast, long-lasting results without invasive surgery, veneers are absolutely worth considering.They’re not a budget option, but they are a high-impact investment in your appearance and self-esteem. Patients at Me Dental SF often tell us the results were “life-changing” — and many say they wish they’d done it sooner.
How long does the whole process take?
The whole process takes up to one month.
- The first appointment consists of the consultation, determining the wants and needs of the patient, comprehensive digital photography of the full face and teeth of the patient and doing a digital scan. These are sent to the lab to fabricate a wax up.
- The second appointment will be to prep the teeth and make the temporary veneers. The temporaries are made based on the wax up. The patient will have a few days to test run the temporaries and will be seen a few days after to make any final adjustments.
- Lastly, the cementation date takes place 2-3 weeks after the prep appointment. This includes cementing the final veneers.
The temporary veneers gives an idea to the patient as to how the final veneers will look like. The temporaries veneers are made from the wax up from the lab. We send in detailed photos and descriptions as to what the patient wants and what the teeth should look like when giving the instructions to the lab for the wax up. When the temporary veneers are on the patient, the patient has a few days to "test drive" the temporaries and see if they like the esthetics, the shape, and the feel of it. We then do a digital scan of the final temporary veneers and send it to the lab so the lab knows how to proceed with the final veneers. The shade of the final veneers is also chosen together with the patient and is ensured to be customized to patient overall facial esthetics.
After the veneers are permanently cemented, we make you a complimentary night guard/retainer to wear every night. This ensures that your veneers and your natural teeth are protected from any grinding or clenching. Additionally, just like taking care of your natural teeth, you have to brush 2x/day and floss 1x/ day and keep up with your every 4-6 month cleanings and check ups.
During the preparation and cementation appointment you will have to be given local anesthesia. The injections are the only part that may hurt throughout this whole process. With the local anesthetic, you won't feel anything throughout the treatment. We also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for patients who want extra comfort to alleviate their anxiety.
Post op sensitivity and slight gum soreness is expected, but all this can be alleviated with Ibuprofen and will decrease with time. Post op sensitivity can last up to 3 months.
We use Frontier Dental Laboratories.
Yes. We have in office payment plans of up to 4-6 months depending on the total cost. We require a 25% deposit upon starting the whole process. We also accept Care Credit.
We follow the average fee of veneers in San Francisco which ranges from $1900-2000 depending on the case.
