My question is about being able to get an affordable dentist for porcelain veneers at my age. My parents are not together, but I am on my dad’s dental plan and he has really good insurance. He says I can get veneers and since I have a job, I can pay for what insurance doesn’t cover. I live with my mom and she says I am too young for them and I need to wait a few years. I asked her if she meant that a dentist won’t do them at my age or if she just thinks I am too young for them. I am 17 yrs old. She keeps saying I am just too young. Will a dentist do veneers for a teenager? Thanks. Kyla

Kyla – A conscientious affordable dentist  who is also a cosmetic

dentist will let you know that the best time to receive porcelain veneers is when your jawbone growth is complete, which can be around age 17 or 18. Here’s why:

• If your veneers are placed while you are still growing, the movement of your teeth and jawbone may create space between your gumline and your veneers.
• Your veneers will no longer look natural.
• Either you will have to replace the veneers as jaw and teeth develop, or you will have to wait until you are able to receive new veneers.

A review of your family history, an examination, and x-rays from a cosmetic dentist can help determine if your jawbone growth is complete or not. Your parents—particularly your father—will want to consider if he wants to make the investment of porcelain veneers before your jawbone growth is complete.

An Exam and Consultation Are Needed

If you have permission from your parents to proceed with an examination, it will give you more information on the best time to receive porcelain veneers. If your parents approve of your getting veneers, ask for their help in finding a few skilled cosmetic dentists. Here’s why: It will be easy to find an affordable dentist to provide you with porcelain veneers, but only a skilled cosmetic dentist can provide you with veneers that look natural and will last.

Compared to other forms of cosmetic dentistry, veneers are relatively expensive. If you receive them, you want to ensure they are quality veneers and look like your natural teeth. Also, porcelain veneers often require the preparation of your natural teeth. This involves shaving a microscopic amount of tooth enamel from the front of your teeth so the veneers won’t look bulky. We just want to ensure you understand what is involved in receiving veneers, and why it’s so important to find a highly qualified cosmetic dentist to do the work.

Schedule consultations with two or three cosmetic dentists and each dentist what can be done to make veneers affordable for you. Don’t expect a discount, but payment plans and financing can help you meet your budget.

This post is sponsored by affordable Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.