Albuquerque Veneers

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Patients gain numerous benefits with personalized porcelain or IPS e.max® veneers from our Albuquerque, NM, practice, like:

Comprehensive Treatment

Wish you could mask stains, chipping, or gaps? What about a combination of concerns? Our veneers are extremely versatile and can conceal a wide range of dental flaws at once, resulting in a dazzling, bright, and healthy-looking smile.

Improved Confidence

People that like their teeth are less hesitant to smile for pictures, laugh out loud, and speak in public. By concealing your cosmetic concerns, you can enhance your smile and feel more confident!

Long-Lasting Results

Porcelain veneers are made with ultra-strong, medical-grade porcelain, making them one of the longest-lasting cosmetic dentistry treatments. Porcelain is also stain-resistant, so your veneers will retain their bright natural shade for their entire life span. In some cases, they can last up to a decade.

Correct a Variety of Dental Imperfections with Porcelain Veneers

Cracks and Chips

Many patients have chips and minor cracks that can be easily masked with a veneer. Veneers cover the entire front surface of the tooth for a flawless, natural-looking finish.
discolored teeth

Discoloration

In the case of deep-rooted discoloration, veneers can brighten the shade of your teeth and are resistant to further discoloration because they are crafted from stain-resistant porcelain.
unevenly sized teeth

Disproportionate Size

Sometimes a single tooth is too small or too large in proportion to the rest of your smile. Veneers can resize individual teeth, resulting in a more balanced look.
crooked teeth

Asymmetrical Teeth

While major misalignment is typically treated with orthodontics, strategically placed veneers can hide rotated or gapped teeth and make your smile look straighter.

What Do Veneers Look Like?

The Results Are Beautiful — So Visit Us for a Consultation

A More Beautiful Smile in Just a Day

Thanks to Our In-House Milling System

Our practice features advanced technology that allows us to craft your veneers while you wait. Our patients reap the benefits:

No Off-Site Lab Work
All work is under Dr. Kelly’s watchful eye to ensure it meets his highest standards.

No Messy Impressions
Laser scanning lets you avoid dealing with dental trays of molding material in your mouth.

No Temporary Veneers
Same-day veneers let you avoid the inconvenience of wearing temporary restorations.

Do I Qualify for Veneers?

​Discover If You Are a Good Candidate

Most of our patients are good candidates for porcelain veneers. Our dentist will discuss the issues you wish to address with cosmetic dentistry and perform an oral exam to see if you qualify. We typically check out the following factors before moving on to treatment:

Good Oral Health

You need to have good oral health in order to qualify for veneers. If you have decay, a tooth infection, periodontal disease, or any other preexisting issues, we will address these first before proceeding with cosmetic work.

Sufficient Tooth Enamel

Part of veneer treatment requires removing a very thin layer of enamel to make room for the porcelain restoration. You must have sufficient tooth enamel to qualify or we might consider an alternative treatment such as a dental crown.

Degree of Misalignment

Patients with minor misalignment will find veneers an adequate solution for crooked teeth. If your teeth are moderately to severely misaligned, we may recommend Invisalign® or braces as a more successful form of treatment.

Commitment to Results

Veneers require a permanent change to the natural tooth structure. Good candidates for porcelain veneers are willing to make lasting enhancements and understand the maintenance and occasional follow-up treatments required.

Other Options in Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Kelly provides a wide variety of cosmetic treatments at our Albuquerque, NM, dental practice. While dental veneers can accomplish beautiful aesthetic enhancements other procedures may not be able to achieve, it’s important to know the options available, like:

Dental Bonding
Bonding consists of a tooth-colored resin applied to the surface of the teeth to mask imperfections such as chips and cracks. Some patients find bonding to look less natural than porcelain, but it is a good option to repair minor flaws.

Dental Crowns
Dental crowns cover the tooth from the chewing surface to the gumline, providing cosmetic enhancement and protection. Dental crowns are typically placed after major damage or a root canal to provide support to a weakened tooth structure.

Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can remove surface enamel stains from the teeth and brighten the overall appearance of your smile. We can provide rapid in-office and at-home whitening treatments that are safer and more effective than store-bought alternatives.

Orthodontics
Dental veneers can only provide symmetry to minor cases of tooth misalignment. Orthodontics may be a more suitable option for patients who need more comprehensive work straightening their alignment and bite.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

At the Albuquerque dental practice of Timothy M. Kelly, DMD, PA, porcelain veneers cost anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 per tooth.

Because veneers are considered an elective procedure, they are typically not covered by insurance. However, our team believes that cosmetic dentistry can dramatically improve your confidence and outlook on life.

Porcelain veneers cost anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 per tooth.

How Does Veneer Treatment Work?

Soon, you could be walking out the door with a new smile. Until then, here’s what you can expect during your custom dental veneers treatment.
Using cutting-edge technology, Dr. Kelly is able to make teeth look whiter, straighter, longer, and beautifully uniform.

Veneers Consultation
First, you’ll visit our Albuquerque dental office for a consultation. Dr. Kelly will assess your oral health to ensure that treatment is safe for you. If you’re able to proceed, he can also help you choose your materials, like IPS e.max and porcelain.

Enamel Preparation
Dr. Kelly will shave your enamel to allow your veneers to fit easily over your teeth. You won’t feel any discomfort. If your veneers are being crafted in a lab, we will protect your teeth with temporary veneers until your new ones are ready.

Laser Scans
Next is precise planning of your treatment. Our laser scanning ensures accurate impressions of each tooth, and allows Dr. Kelly to create fully customized veneers that fit your smile precisely.

Veneer Designing
After creating the digital impression, it will be transmitted to a computer screen where Dr. Kelly can design your veneers based on the goals you have shared with him during your consultation.

Results Preview
Before you commit to your veneers, we can give you a preview of your results. Dr. Kelly can show you a wax-up model of your exact veneers. It will let you visualize their size, shape, and position.

Veneer Creation
When both of you are satisfied with the custom veneers, they will either be crafted in-house or sent out to our top-of-the-line partner lab. Once your veneers are made, you will be ready for placement.

Veneer Placement
Dr. Kelly will place your veneers over your natural teeth, securing them in place with a strong dental adhesive. Once it has hardened, the final step is to enjoy your new smile.

Maintaining Your Veneers

In general, veneers require little follow-up care and should be treated much like your natural teeth. Our tips to ensure long-lasting dental veneers include:

Practicing Proper Oral Hygiene

Never underestimate the importance of practicing good oral hygiene and diligent brushing and flossing habits. Not only will you protect your natural teeth and extend the lifespan of your cosmetic treatments, but you will save yourself thousands of dollars in restorative work that can be needed to treat decay and infections.

Protecting Your Tooth Enamel

Porcelain is less porous than tooth enamel and will not absorb the color from dark-colored beverages and tobacco products. While your porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, your natural teeth are not. To ensure your smile remains bright, refrain from consuming food and drinks that have the potential to stain your natural teeth.

Avoiding Excessive Force

While porcelain is inherently strong and durable, we always recommend treating your dental veneer with care. It is best to avoid opening things with your teeth or biting your nails, as they can lead to erosion of both your veneers and natural teeth.

FAQs About Veneers