Smile practice quickly became one of the most anxiety-inducing boxes to check off my wedding prep list.
Of all my dental work, the most noticeable was the veneer on my front right tooth.
In the past five years, it became clear I needed to have the veneer replaced.
Bella Geraci / Getty Images
I settled on professionalteeth whitening.
In September, I found myself at the doors ofApa Aestheticin New York City.
I was there to document my teeth whitening experience forAllure.
A look at Apa on Six at Apa Aesthetic.
He took one look at my teeth and pronounced that I needed a replacement veneer.
A look at Apa on Six at Apa Aesthetic.
Why do veneers need to be replaced?
The author’s teeth before (top) and after veneer replacement at Apa Aesthetic.
And the days of “chiclet” teeth?
Doctors, like Apa, have turned to more natural looking smiles with advanced painting and ceramic techniques.
“Restored teeth should look like teeth,” says Dr. Apa.
The author on her wedding day.
“A veneer is more than just ‘cosmetic dentistry,’ its alsorestorativedentistry, with real functional benefits.
I already knew I needed more than just whitening.
At the moment, it felt like a problem for Future Kassidy to deal with.
How much does veneer replacement cost?
In the world of cosmetic dentistry, you get what you pay for.
When deciding if you should get veneers, your replacement costs should factor into your planning.
“Substantial chips and or cracks are a red flag,” he says.
“[Or] if your gums have recessed or exposed clearly between the tooth and veneer.”
When deciding whether or not to get veneers, replacement costs should weigh into your decision-making process.
What is the veneer replacement process like?
After 17 years and the aforementioned wear and tear I was right on schedule for my veneer replacement.
He recommended we add three additional veneers to my top teeth in addition to replacing my current one.
I felt almost zero pain during this process.
After two weeks of pure craftsmanship, I returned for the installation.
The author’s teeth before (top) and after veneer replacement at Apa Aesthetic.
What does it feel like to get veneers?
There weren’t doctors buzzing around or the noise of patients flooding the halls.
I was back on my happy cloud as I made my way to the treatment room.
The author on her wedding day.
I now like to joke with my husband that my confidence was made in a lab.
What I see is a happy woman who no longer needs to practice smiling: It just comes naturally.
