Are you longing for that picture-perfect, radiant smile that lights up any room? I was and after years of painful braces as a teen, I wasn’t attempting to do that again, I researched veneers and found Dr John Kelly. A few friends had gone to him and I loved their results so after meeting with him once I knew he was my man (for my teeth of course lol). Veneers were my secret to achieving the smile of my dreams. Since getting them earlier this year, I’ve had people and friends comment on my smile. A great smile changes everything and I am beyond happy with how they look, and feel, and a game-changing decision.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through the veneer process and highlight the numerous benefits of this cosmetic dentistry option. The one thing I have to add is that Dr. Kelly truly is a magician. I hate the dentist, I dread it the night before. He and his staff have changed my outlook on going in and the process was soooo much easier than I ever thought it would be.
**Understanding Veneers**
Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells, typically made of porcelain or composite resin, custom-crafted to fit over the front surface of your teeth. These versatile restorations can correct a variety of dental imperfections, including:
1. **Stains and Discoloration:** Veneers can effectively mask stubborn stains that resist traditional teeth whitening methods, giving you a dazzling, white smile.
2. **Chips and Cracks:** If you have minor dental damage, veneers can cover up those unsightly flaws, restoring the natural appearance of your teeth.
3. **Gaps and Misalignment:** Veneers can also be used to close gaps between teeth and correct minor misalignments, offering an alternative to braces or Invisalign.
4. **Size and Shape:** You can customize the size and shape of your veneers to achieve the smile proportions that best complement your facial features.
*Mine are porcelain (I would recommend porcelain vs. composite) for long-lasting results.
My own teeth and discoloration (I’ve whitened them before but as a coffee and wine drinker they went yellow quickly). My bottom teeth were misaligned and crooked/overlapping.
**The Veneer Process**
Getting veneers is a straightforward process that typically involves the following steps:
**1. Consultation:** My journey to a beautiful smile began with a consultation with Dr. Kelly in the office. During this appointment, we discussed goals and the options available. He reviewed my teeth and informed me he would recommend 10 veneers up top and 8 on the bottom (this is different based on each person and their smile). Dr. Kelly does virtual consults as well! He makes you feel so comfortable and I’ve never felt more at ease at the dentist. I LOVE him so much that I’d recommend flying to him to do veneers as he made the entire journey so easy with zero downtime or pain.
**2. Impressions:** Dr., Kelly took precise impressions of my teeth. These impressions were sent to a dental laboratory, where skilled technicians crafted custom veneers (the temporary veneers are first).
**3. Preparation:** Once the temp veneers were ready, I headed back into the office. To prepare your teeth for veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed from the front surface of each tooth that will receive a veneer. This ensures a snug fit and helps the veneers blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Dr. Kelly does not shave the entire tooth down (if you are afraid of this) and informed me that this was an older way of doing veneers. He maintains as much of your natural tooth as possible but removes surfaces that will make the veneer fit well within your mouth.
**4. Temporary Veneers:** Dr. Kelly did this quickly – I believe in 1.5 hours. He said the temporary veneers help us figure out if I like the shape, color, and fit. I believe I wore them for about a month. They were comfortable and right away I loved how it looked. So much better than my own teeth! He even mentioned my temps weren’t as white as the final veneers (picture above is temporary veneers up top). They were easy to get used to, not many issues for me, and no pain when I left. I ate a full meal an hour after I left!
Note: Dr. Kelly did the top temps in one appt, then the bottoms in another. I didn’t mind going back for separate appointments as sitting for 3 hours with my mouth open wasn’t something I was comfortable with. Plus I felt little pain and was able to eat/drink quickly. My sister got both done in one appointment (at another doctor) and had pain and headaches for a week. The entire process and whom you choose as your dentist is so important!!
**5. Fitting:** Once my veneers were ready, I returned to his office for their placement. Dr. Kelly ensured the fit, color, and shape were perfect before permanently bonding the veneers to your teeth.
**6. Final Adjustments:** Minor adjustments may be made to your veneers to achieve the ideal look and feel. Once you’re satisfied, your new smile is complete!
Why did I decide on Veneers vs. Braces or Invisalign?
The two main reasons were time and pain. I HATED BRACES and if you have done braces or Invisalign, it isn’t an easy or short process. At the age I am, I want immediate results, with quality service and change. Porcelain veneers last longer (he said most likely I won’t need to get them replaced) and they maintain the white color best. I wanted straighter and brighter teeth. My top middle two teeth and my crooked bottom ones always bothered me. My smile is not only brighter these days, but I no longer self conscious about my teeth!
Cost of Veneers?
I looked it up online and the average cost of veneers was $925 – $2500 per tooth for porcelain veneers. Dr. John Kelly likes to work with each patient on pricing it out, so if you reach out to him, let him know that you read about veneers from me! The price of my veneers was similar to the average.
**The Benefits of Veneers**
Investing in dental veneers offers a multitude of advantages, including:
**1. A Stunning Smile:** Veneers provide an instantly brighter, more beautiful smile that boosts your confidence.
**2. Durability:** Porcelain veneers are known for their strength and resistance to staining, ensuring long-lasting results.
**3. Minimally Invasive:** The veneer process is less invasive than some other cosmetic dentistry options, preserving the majority of your natural tooth structure.
**4. Natural Appearance:** Veneers are designed to mimic the translucency and texture of natural teeth, so they look and feel authentic.
**5. Versatility:** Whether you have one tooth that needs attention or desire a complete smile makeover, veneers can be tailored to your unique needs.
Overall, dental veneers are a transformative solution for achieving the smile you’ve always wanted. The process is relatively simple, and the benefits are endless. I am so happy with the results and HIGHLY recommend veneers, especially with Dr. Kelly.
He’s available for consultations (in person or virtual)! He can give price estimates and please note, that every person’s mouth is different regarding how many veneers you may need. Dr. Kelly will give you different options and can help with other options besides veneers for your beautiful smile!
Website: https://kellysmiledesign.com/
Phone: 773.631.6844
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjohnkellydds/
Feel free to email me with any questions or message me on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsolesandredwine/
Happy smiling!
