Zirconia Veneers

Please note we may not offer this service at our practice. Please call (860) 470-3660 to learn more.

Smile Confidently With Zirconia Veneers

A confident smile is an important part of one’s personality, and dental veneers are a popular solution for enhancing the appearance of your teeth. While porcelain veneers have been a go-to option for cosmetic dentistry, zirconia veneers are a newer alternative that offers several advantages.

Are you ready for a smile makeover? Learn more about zirconia veneers with our top cosmetic dentists in Farmington, CT, to see if this treatment can benefit you and your smile.

What Are Zirconia Veneers?

Zirconia veneers are thin shells placed over the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. Unlike traditional porcelain veneers, zirconia veneers are made of zirconium oxide, which is a strong and durable material that’s resistant to chipping and cracking. Zirconia veneers can be custom-made to match the color, shape, and size of a patient’s natural teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

A zirconia veneer can correct the following issues:

Discolored or stained teeth
Worn-down teeth
Chipped or broken teeth
Misaligned teeth
Tooth gaps

Benefits of Zirconia Veneers

When used for veneers, zirconia provides several benefits, including:

Strength and Durability: Zirconia is incredibly strong and durable, which makes zirconia veneers less likely to chip, crack, or break compared to veneers made from other materials, such as composite resin or porcelain.
Aesthetic Appeal: Zirconia veneers have excellent translucency that mimics the appearance of natural tooth enamel. It can be adjusted in color to match the patient’s surrounding teeth, providing a more natural and aesthetic look.
Biocompatibility: Zirconia is a biocompatible material, meaning it’s well-tolerated by the body. This reduces the risk of adverse reactions or rejection by the body.
Less Tooth Reduction: Zirconia veneers can be made thinner than other types of veneers, which often means less of the natural tooth structure needs to be removed during the preparation process.

Zirconia Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, also known as ceramic veneers, have long been the standard for cosmetic dentistry. The ceramic veneer material used is durable, stain-resistant, and can be customized to match the color of natural teeth. However, porcelain veneers have some drawbacks that zirconia veneers address.

First, zirconia veneers are stronger and more durable than porcelain veneers. This makes them less likely to chip or crack, meaning they can last longer.
Secondly, zirconia veneers are more translucent than porcelain veneers, which makes them look more like natural teeth.
Finally, zirconia veneers are thinner than porcelain veneers, which means less of the natural tooth structure needs to be removed during the preparation process.

Another advantage is that they don’t require a metal substructure like porcelain veneers do. The metal substructure can sometimes cause a dark line to appear at the edge of the veneer, which can be unsightly.

Zirconia Veneer Process

When receiving custom zirconia veneers, you can expect the following:

Consultation and Examination: The first step is a consultation with the dentist. During this appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your goals and expectations, and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for zirconia veneers. X-rays or impressions may be taken as part of the examination.
Tooth Preparation: At the next appointment, the dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers. This involves removing a small amount of tooth enamel from the front surface of your teeth to make room for the veneers. The amount removed is usually equivalent to the thickness of the veneer to ensure a natural and comfortable fit. This process is irreversible and may require a local anesthetic.
Impressions or Digital Scan: Once your teeth are prepared, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth using a mold or a digital scanner. These impressions are sent to a dental lab, where the zirconia veneers are custom-made to fit your teeth precisely.
Temporary Veneers: While your permanent zirconia veneers are being made, the dentist may apply temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth. These are usually made from acrylic.
Fitting of Zirconia Veneers: When your permanent zirconia veneers are ready, typically after two to three weeks, you’ll return to the dentist for the fitting. The dentist will place the veneers on your teeth to check the fit and color. Any adjustments needed are made at this stage. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the look and fit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth with a special adhesive. The adhesive is hardened with a special light.
Final Adjustments and Check-up: After the veneers are fitted, the dentist may make final adjustments and polish the veneers. You might need a follow-up appointment after a few weeks to ensure your gums are responding well to the presence of your new veneers and that you’re happy with the final result.

Costs

When it comes to getting zirconia veneers, the average cost adds up to about $1,400 per tooth. The total cost is influenced by certain factors, such as the location of the dental practice, the dentist’s experience, the complexity of the cases, and the number of veneers needed.

Dr. Frank Kuzmin showing a patient their Xrays

Frequently Asked Questions

Zirconia veneer can last between 10 and 30 years when cared for properly. While zirconia is known to be 10 times stronger than your tooth enamel, it’s still imperative to care for it and visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and checkups.

When it comes to durability, zirconia veneers are far stronger and more durable than porcelain veneers. In terms of aesthetics, both options can create beautiful smiles, but porcelain veneers tend to appear slightly more natural.

Consider Zirconia Veneers for a Long-Lasting, Beautiful Smile

Zirconia veneers are a newer and increasingly popular option for cosmetic dentistry. They provide numerous benefits compared to traditional veneers, including increased durability, translucency, and a thinner design that requires less natural tooth structure removal. If you’re considering veneers, it’s worth discussing the benefits of zirconia veneers with your dentist.

To learn more about the dental treatments we offer at our Farmington dental office, contact our cosmetic dentist today by calling (860) 470-3660. We’re proud to serve patients living in Plainville, New Britain, Hartford, and Newington, CT!

Look what our Happy Patients are saying!

Dr. Kuzmin and his team are absolutely amazing. They are able to put you at ease, and he clearly takes pride in his work! He literally fixed my smile and I can’t thank him enough. My 1st encounter with Dr. Kuzmin was for a chipped front tooth that I kept chipping for about a decade, which (unfortunately) eventually required a crown. He immediately started the process and it looks exactly like my real tooth. I can’t stop smiling now. I live about 35 minutes from his office and I will happily continue to take the drive because a good dentist with compassion is extremely hard to find! I highly recommend Pinnacle Dental with Dr. Kuzmin and his wonderful team 10/10!

— Tabatha M.

I am nervous about going to the dentist in the first place but, I met with Dr. Kuzman first and he explained the procedure. I went with the oral sedation which was the best decision for me. The staff are pleasant and attentive. I live in Florida now but come home every 6 months and he will definitely be my dentist from now on.Christina at the main office was very helpful with my insurance and very pleasant. Thank you Pinnacle Dental

— Nancy B.

I can’t believe I’m saying this about a dental office, but these guys are unbelievably helpful and friendly! Dr. Kuzmin was great, gave me an assessment and didn’t try to recommend additional stuff I wasn’t interested in. But the best part of using Pinnacle is Christine at the front desk! She worked with me over the weekend to get me in quickly and easily, amazing service with a smile! I’ve found my new home for dental work! See you in 6 months!

— Mark P.

I just had my first appointment at this new practice and can say I’m extremely happy. Everyone I met, Dr. Kuzmin, his hygienist , Melissa, and the front desk manager, Christina, we’re all warm and friendly and highly knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this practice

— Lorraine L.

My hygienist Melissa was very knowledgeable and friendly. One of the best cleanings I’ve ever had. I’ll definitely be back!

— Christina J.C.

The office manager was especially kind in helping me reschedule due to an emergency with my son. Now that I finally made it in, it was lovely to see the offices were beautifully renovated. But most of all, the entire staff creates a warm, caring environment. Pleased to say I’ll be sticking with Pinnacle Dental!

— Marah L.

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