What are veneers, what can they do for your smile, and where are the best places to get them?
Forget Botox and posh skincare. The real key to beauty is a dazzling smile—you only need to Google ‘before’ photos of Tom Cruise to know that. If your gnashers are stained or yellow, professional cleaning and bleaching treatments are great. But if they’re crowded, gappy, gummy, antibiotic-stained or malformed, veneers might be your best option. “These are coverings, usually made from thin porcelain about the thickness of a false nail, and are applied to the teeth with strong cement,” explains Dr. Terry McKay of IQ Dental in North Vancouver. In days of yore, they were the preserve of celebs—everyone from Victoria Beckham to David Bowie, but now it’s just as likely to be your neighbour or the woman in your yoga class flashing a Hollywood smile.
Traditionally, getting veneers involves consultation and two appointments. During the first, the natural teeth are filed down or cut, usually under local anaesthetic, and an impression is taken so the permanent veneers can be custom-made. After this, there’s a one- or two-week wait for the veneers to be made. According to Dr. Gabor Balogh of Dundarave Dental Clinic, that’s the period when some patients will experience pain. He says: “There may be some sensitivity to hot or cold during the temporary phase. This is usually gone when the permanent veneers are placed.” After application, if you practice good dental hygiene (twice-daily brushing/flossing and professional cleaning every six months) the veneers might last up to 30 years.
Usually, you get veneers on the teeth that are seen when you smile—about six to 10 of them. Costs vary, but generally prices start around $700 per tooth, which means at least $4,000, plus additional costs for the dental team’s time and facilities. Extended medical benefits may cover some costs.
Where to go
Top-notch dental treatment is a given at all these clinics. But what soft, pampering treats do they offer on top?
IQ Dental
This North Shore clinic has been around for more than 35 years. Its focus (apart from great dental treatment) is patient comfort. Dr. McKay and his associate, Dr. Sheasby, are both trained in painless injections. The clinic offers the most comfortable digital x-rays and dental chairs around, and you can watch TV or listen to music during treatment, snuggled under a blanket if you like. Suite 202-132 East 14th Street, North Vancouver. 604-988-7010, mynorthvancouverdentist.ca
Seymour Dental Centre
Local celebrities, including actors who've appeared on Desperate Housewives and Da Vinci's Inquest, have been known to frequent the dentist chair of Dr. Gilbert Lee, a full-spectrum dentist who also does veneers and whitening at his Parkgate Village dental office. Expect a warm and friendly atmosphere (there's even a play area for kids) created by a team who treats patients like family. At Parkgate Village Shopping Centre, 200-3650 Mount Seymour Parkway, North Vancouver. 604-924-8289, seymourdentalatparkgatevillage.com
Artis Dental Centre
Dr. Damji and the team at Artis offer all the spa-style trimmings in a beautifully designed space. Before or after procedures, help yourself to a drink from the beverage station or calm your nerves with a session in the robotic massage chair. Tuck yourself up with soft pillows and blankets during treatments. Dr. Damji says the whole experience is so relaxing that he's even known patients to nod off during a root canal. 100-845 Marine Drive, North Vancouver. 604-986-0800, artisdentalcentre.com
Dundarave Dental Clinic
Free Wi-Fi and individual above-chair TVs are features of this West Van clinic. But the biggest plus is location—you’re just a half block from beautiful Dundarave Beach and the West Van seawall. 2461 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver. 604-922-6044, westvanimplant.com
Third Street Dental
Zen out while looking at the fish tank in the waiting room, then head to your massage chair to watch high-def TV while you have your treatment. Not a fan of procedures under local anaesthetic? Not a problem: Veneer procedures here are carried out under full sedation. 106 West Third Street, North Vancouver. 604-505-2755, thirdstreetdental-drho.com
