Are Veneers Worth it?

I’ve been curious about veneers ever since my mom got them about 20 years ago. One of my babysitters turned friends, Cles, was over one day and had just gotten her temporary veneers put on and they looked incredible! I couldn’t wait any longer, I had to go have a consultation and see what they said about my teeth. Cles had used Dr. Green at Fort Worth Cosmetic and Family Dentistry and she had researched the heck out of who to go to. I did zero research and took her word for it, I knew she did her homework.

My consultation was January 20th and I really had no idea what to expect. My cracked, chipped and too small teeth were analyzed and it took about half a second for me to sign up for veneers after seeing them on an enormous screen and seeing what the potential outcome would look like. I have had 2 dentists recommend a few veneers before for chips, cracks and to replace old bonding. But, if you know me, it’s all or nothin! I don’t want 2 veneers I want a whole smile redo!!

The treatment plan that was recommended was 12 veneers on the top and a bite adjustment that would open up my bite so that my new pretty teeth would actually show. I don’t remember the exact cost, but it was around $18 or $19k. Definitely not a cheap procedure. That also includes professional whitening, but I had the world’s worst experience with zoom whitening in 2004, so I opted out of that torture chamber. My teeth do not do well with that. Hearing metal hangers in my closet made my teeth hurt, if that makes any sense to you whatsoever than you understand my situation. I did get the trays though so that I can whiten my bottom teeth if there is that big of a difference.

Lots of pics were taken. Impressions were made. Deep breaths. Happy thoughts. Don’t panic. Don’t gag.

My temporaries would go on just a couple weeks later on February 8. I was told to prepare for a 4 hour appointment. Dr. Green asked me to send her some celebrity smiles that I liked. Most of the celebrities have had veneers, so it was really easy to find some inspo.

I really liked Megan Fox’s results.

I chose to be sedated and highly recommend that option. I have almost no memories of the appointment. I took two triazolam and was out. I vaguely remember being picked up and then I went into full hibernation until the pills wore off.

When I woke up enough to see what the deal was, I took this stunning selfie. The temporaries weren’t as white as the final veneers would be. The idea is that you wear them, see what you like and don’t like, and make any adjustments before the real ones go on. We made a few bite changes and my bite feels so opened up and better than ever.

The temporaries stayed on until March 22. Then I was in for another 4 hour appointment and another sedation. Dr. Green decided that I could still use another 10% of length and width to my smile, so my final veneers were a little different than the temps. She also decided on the whitest of white shades which made me a little nervous, but she said to trust her. She was right, the shade is perfect!

Knowing how hilarious the sedation was, I had Jeff (boyfriend at the time) video some of it for everyone’s entertainment.

Here I am eloquently explaining what I was doing that day.

Jeff was cringing and dying a slow death having to take care of drugged me in a waiting room full of very normal families waiting for their dental appointments.

And the final thoughts from a high person…

I cruised on home to sleep off the rest of the meds. When I woke up and was able to get a good look at the final veneers I was absolutely obsessed! They made such a huge difference in my entire smile and even slightly changed the way my face looked with the bite correction.

Here we have my official before and after pic.

LOL at the before pic, what the heck was I doing with that power smile face?!

If I had it to do over again, I would choose veneers over orthodontics as an adult, if I was a candidate for that. They are permanently white, improved my bite and the look of my smile and I am so thankful I went for it.

FAQs:

Do they have to shave down your teeth?

Yes somewhat, but Dr. Green described it more like what they do at the nail salon where they file them down just a little. I know when my mom got them, they were filing teeth down to a tiny peg. I really don’t see why this matters either way, because once the veneers are on you never see your original teeth.

Do they stay white forever?

Yes! They will fade over time slightly as your natural tooth changes color with aging, but will mostly remain bright and white and the veneers are stain resistant. Yay!

How long do they last?

They can last 10 years or much longer with proper care. You still have to brush and floss them as you would with normal teeth and get professional cleanings and check ups every 6 months.

Does it hurt?

Little to no pain. My gums were sore but not bad.

If you are in the Fort Worth area, Dr. Nikki Green is so good! She gave me my dream smile and I’m thrilled with the results!