Porcelain Veneers – Jacksonville, FL

Say Goodbye to Chips,
Stains, Gaps, & More

Despite what Hollywood would have you believe, most of us aren’t born with perfect teeth. In fact, celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Tom Cruise, Miley Cyrus, and many more owe their award-winning smiles to porcelain veneers. However, you don’t need to be rich and famous to fix dental imperfections. At Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens and Nguyen, anyone can get a red carpet- ready smile with custom-made porcelain veneers in Jacksonville, FL! Read on to learn more about this popular cosmetic treatment and give us a call today to schedule your consultation!

Why Choose Distinctive Dentistry by
Mullens & Nguyen For Porcelain Veneers?

#1 High-Quality Materials for Beautiful & Durable Results

#2 Team of Exceptional Dentists Focused on You

#3 Flexible Financing Available to Make Veneers Affordable

What Are Dental Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are a quick and simple treatment that can help you say goodbye to chips, stains, gaps, and more and hello to the smile of your dreams. These ultra-thin shells of dental porcelain are precisely crafted to fit perfectly over the front-facing surface of a tooth. The dental porcelain they’re made of is durable, stain-resistant, and well-known for how closely it resembles healthy tooth enamel. Once a veneer has been placed, it completely transforms the tooth’s entire appearance, including its size, shape, and color. Veneers are often used to correct issues like:

  • Minor chips or cracks
  • Stubborn stains or discoloration
  • Small gaps or spaces between teeth
  • Teeth that are slightly uneven or crooked
  • Teeth that are small, worn-down, or misshapen

Some types of discoloration can be prevented, but others may not be in your control. There are two types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of the teeth and are typically caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco products. Intrinsic stains are a result of medications, so this is something you should discuss with your doctor.


The Process of Getting Porcelain Veneers

With veneers, your dream smile can be achieved in as little as two quick and easy appointments! Once Dr. Mullens or Dr. Nguyen have determined that veneers are a good choice for you, they’ll prepare the tooth or teeth for veneers by removing a very thin layer of enamel. Then, impressions are taken and you’ll be fit with a set of temporary veneers. This allows you to “test-drive” your new smile while your permanent set is being fabricated. In about two weeks, you’ll return to our dental office to have your temporary veneers removed and replaced with your beautiful, custom-made permanent veneers. Once they’re bonded into place and we’ve ensured that you’re pleased with the results, you’ll be ready to go out and show off your brand-new smile!


Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available, and it’s easy to see why. This comprehensive treatment offers a variety of benefits, like:

  • Versatility and customization: Veneers are versatile enough to transform all manner of different flaws all at once with a single treatment.
  • Fast, minimally-invasive treatment: Instead of undergoing multiple lengthy procedures to correct dental imperfections, veneers can help you achieve the results you’re looking for right away!
  • Beautiful, natural-looking results: Veneers are crafted from the highest-quality materials, which offers the most natural-looking and aesthetically-pleasing results.
  • Durable and stain resistant: Dental porcelain is reliably durable and doesn’t chip or crack easily. Plus, it’s stain-resistant properties allow you to enjoy all your favorite dark-colored beverages without worry!
  • Long-lasting results you can count on: With proper oral hygiene and good chewing habits, you can count on your veneers to last 15 years or longer!

Understanding the Cost of Veneers

If you don’t like what you see every time you smile in the mirror, you may be thinking about getting veneers in Jacksonville. Before committing to anything, you likely want to know how much your overall treatment will cost. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and quality is extremely important when it comes to dental work. Since there are many different cosmetic solutions available, you should take your time and do your research before making a final decision to transform your grin. To find out how the cost of veneers compares to other options, continue reading or give our office a call today!

Do you have your heart set on getting veneers in Jacksonville? Even if that’s the case, you should explore all your available options before settling on one, especially because they can each help you accomplish stunning results at different price points. Some common cosmetic services we offer include:

  • Teeth Whitening – If you simply want to improve the color of your smile, our KöR at-home teeth whitening kit may be the right solution for you. It’s a relatively fast and cost-effective way to make your pearly whites several shades brighter! However, it cannot alter the shape or position of your teeth, meaning you’ll need to consider another option if those are changes you want to make.
  • Cosmetic Dental Bonding – Patients with minor dental imperfections may benefit from cosmetic dental bonding. It’s a convenient and affordable way to improve your grin. Keep in mind that it will need to be redone every few years.
  • Braces – Are you interested in fixing your misaligned or crooked teeth? If so, you may find it best to pursue clear braces. They can simultaneously straighten your teeth and improve your oral health. However, this orthodontic treatment can be quite costly for an option that can’t change the actual shape or color of your teeth.
  • Veneers – Even though veneers are known to be a more invasive and costly procedure, they’re capable of addressing multiple flaws at once. Additionally, you can enjoy your brand-new smile for years to come as long as you properly care for it!

Since veneers are considered a form of cosmetic dentistry, they’re generally not covered by dental insurance, meaning you’ll need to find an alternative way to pay for your treatment. Fortunately, we can help with that! At Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens and Nguyen, we offer CareCredit financing to make your bills much easier to manage. It allows you to split up the total cost of veneers into smaller monthly payments. Additionally, they offer multiple plans that can fit virtually any budget with little to no interest.

Are you ready to take the next step towards a healthier, more beautiful smile? Give our office a call and schedule your cosmetic consultation today! We’ll help you achieve your dream look while keeping your total expenses as low as possible.


Veneer FAQs

Are you unhappy with your smile? If you have multiple dental imperfections, you may think there’s no hope of ever having a perfect set of teeth. Well, you can easily obtain a red-carpet-ready grin with veneers in Jacksonville. Even after reading the information above, it’s completely normal to have a few lingering questions in mind about the process. At Distinctive Dentistry by Mullens and Nguyen, we want you to be as well-informed as possible before making your decisions, which is why we’ve decided to answer the most frequently asked questions below.

During your first appointment, our team will remove a thin layer of enamel to ensure the veneers fit properly against the teeth. The special bonding material used to attach the restoration is completely safe and effective! Additionally, you don’t have to worry about this treatment increasing your risk of cavities because the altered teeth will be covered by veneers. Of course, you still need to keep your smile safe by practicing good oral hygiene, visiting your dentist regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet.

After your teeth are prepared, you’ll wear temporary veneers to protect your teeth while your permanent ones are being made. During this time, you’ll need to avoid hard foods (i.e., ice, raw fruits and veggies, candy), sticky foods (i.e., gum, caramel, toffee), and dark-colored foods and drinks (i.e., soda, coffee, curry). Even though you can enjoy most things once your permanent veneers are in place, you’ll still want to remain cautious to avoid damaging your smile.

When you first get veneers in Jacksonville, you may have difficulty pronouncing certain words or making specific words. The good news is that any lisp you develop is temporary and should go away as soon as you get used to your restorations. You can speed up the adjustment process by reading aloud, repeating difficult-to-pronounce words, and asking your dentist to reduce the thickness of your veneers in certain areas.

Before your procedure, our team will numb your mouth to ensure you’re completely comfortable. It’s worth noting that you may experience mild sensitivity and pain when your temporary veneers are first attached. However, you can easily manage it by taking over-the-counter pain medication and using cold compresses. You’re more likely to experience post-treatment discomfort if multiple veneers were placed. Eight or more veneers can lead to soreness in the gums and jaw.

Wisdom Tooth Extractions FAQs

Most people have four wisdom teeth, one for each quadrant of the mouth; however, some only have three, and others may not have any at all. According to the Dental Research Journal, a 2015 study found that between 5 and 37% of people are missing one or more of their wisdom teeth.

Although it’s unclear why some people do not have these third molars, it’s possible that genetics could be to blame. It is important to remember, though, that just because you cannot see your wisdom teeth does not mean they’re not there. It’s possible that they might be impacted (underneath the gumline). Only a dental X-ray can tell.

The only guaranteed way to eliminate pain caused by wisdom teeth is to have them removed by a dentist or oral surgeon. There are a few home remedies you can try to use that will help control some of your discomfort, such as using a cold compress and applying it to the outside of your cheek for 20 minutes at a time. By doing this for a few hours, you can numb the area and minimize swelling.

You can also take an OTC pain reliever as directed for temporary relief. Just be sure not to apply aspirin directly to the affected area, as this can irritate the tissues and worsen the discomfort. Another option is an OTC numbing gel that temporarily soothes gums. You can also rinse with warm saltwater to reduce bacterial buildup.

Once your wisdom tooth extraction is complete, you’ll need to wait a few hours before attempting to eat. You’ll still be wearing gauze to minimize any bleeding, so it’s best to wait until you no longer need them. Although you may feel hungry, it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions when it comes to choosing which food to eat.

Soft foods are best, as they don’t require much pressure. Trying to eat immediately following your surgery can be a problem, especially since you’ll likely still be feeling the effects of the anesthesia. If you are still numb, you may accidentally bite down on your lips, cheeks, or tongue.

For the first day, stick to a liquid diet but avoid the use of a straw. In the following days, eat only soft foods. Once four or five days go by, you can begin to incorporate denser foods as you feel comfortable.

After undergoing an oral procedure like wisdom tooth extraction, it’s important that you do not smoke or use any kind of tobacco products. The reason is that it can increase your chances of developing a dry socket. This is when the blood clot that forms over the surgical site becomes dislodged, resulting in extreme pain and a heightened risk of infection. Not to mention, the healing process becomes delayed if you develop a dry socket. Because smoking weakens the immune system, it can be much harder to fight off any kind of infection, essentially putting your oral and overall health at risk.

You should plan to avoid smoking or using any kind of tobacco for at least 48 hours; however, it’s best to wait even longer if possible. If you know that you’re preparing to have your wisdom teeth removed, use it as an opportunity to try and kick your habit for good.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you have any food debris or an object stuck between your teeth, don’t try to remove it with a toothpick or any sharp objects, as this could damage your gums. Typically, gently flossing around the tooth and rinsing your mouth with saltwater can help dislodge it. However, if you’re not having any luck, you can also give our office a call. Our dental hygienists have all of the necessary tools to safely remove the debris.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Lockjaw, jaw tension, and pain are just a few of the many different types of jaw pain. If your discomfort is chronic, our team can help you determine the underlying cause of it and refer you to a specialist if necessary. However, if your pain is a result of an impact, visit your local emergency room.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Our team is happy to provide you with further guidance over the phone if you’re unsure of where to go for help. You can place an ice pack on the outside of your face to relieve any discomfort.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: If you believe your jaw is broken, dislocated, or damaged due to trauma, visit your local ER immediately. If it’s a reoccurring issue, our team can help you determine best next steps for finding relief after conducting an examination.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?  If your oral injury doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes, you may need to go to the emergency room. Or, if you’re conflicted about what to do, give our office a call and our team can help.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Oral wounds can bleed a lot, and when the blood mixes with the saliva, it can make the injury look a lot worse than it is. You can stop the bleeding by using a clean washcloth or piece of gauze and pressing it against the cut. A cold compress can help to reduce any swelling that may occur.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Our team typically doesn’t see patients for injuries. If you require stitches or the bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes of placing pressure on it, visit your local emergency room.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? If your tooth is wiggling in its socket or partially dislodged, try to get to our office as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. If you’re experiencing pain, our team can provide you with first aid guidance over the phone.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Avoid touching your tooth and eating any foods (especially those that are chewy or sticky), and rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater to remove any debris and cleanse the area. Avoid flossing or brushing your teeth until you’re able to see us.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: If your tooth has become partially dislodged due to impact, our team may be able to salvage it and see if the roots are able to re-fuse with the bone. In the case that your tooth can’t be saved, we may recommend an extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Whether your denture has broken to the point of it being unwearable or it just has a crack, you should never wear a damaged prosthetic. It can lead to irritation of the oral tissues in addition to jaw discomfort. If you have existing teeth and try to wear your damaged denture, it could also harm those teeth. Call our office immediately so our team can assess your prosthetic.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Although your local department store likely sells a denture repair kit, do not try to superglue or repair your own dentures. The best option in this scenario is to see a professional as soon as possible.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: Our team will examine your dentures and see if we’re able to repair them. If they’re damaged beyond repair, we can start the process of replacing them for you.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, both of these situations warrant an immediate call to our Jacksonville dental office. That way, we can repair or replace your restoration as quickly as possible.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown In addition to reaching out to us to schedule an appointment, we recommend not eating anything crunchy, hard, or sticky. Additionally, keep your restoration somewhere safe, like a small, clean container.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns There are some cases where we can re-cement your restoration back in place, like if your dental crown is relatively new and in good condition. Other times, our only option is to replace your dental crown or filling with a new one.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since this dental injury can cause a significant amount of pain and there is only a small window of time where we can save your tooth (about 60 minutes), the answer is “yes!” So, don’t hesitate – contact our Jacksonville dental team right away to schedule an emergency appointment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Calling us is an important first step. This ensures that we can schedule an appointment for you with one of our dedicated emergency dentists right away. Plus, it allows us to guide you through the process of preserving the root of your tooth – whether that’s by placing it back in its socket or putting it in a clean container filled with milk.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be saved. If that’s not the case for some reason – like you weren’t able to find your tooth – then we will instead begin the process of replacing it with a dental bridge or implant so the look, health, and function of your smile are restored.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Very sensitive teeth can be a dental emergency. That’s why it’s important to consider how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms and if they are present in tandem with others, like pain when biting down.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth There’s really only one thing you can do until your appointment: try to avoid things that could exacerbate your discomfort. In other words, don’t drink anything really hot, don’t eat anything really cold, and take OTC pain medication as directed on the label (if needed).

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth That depends on what’s causing your dental sensitivity. If it’s a cavity, then it’s likely that a tooth-colored filling or dental crown is the answer. If it’s an infection in your gums, then gum disease treatment is needed instead.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Cracked teeth are considered dental emergencies and you’ll need to visit your emergency dentist as soon as possible. Leaving your tooth untreated can allow it to be vulnerable to further damage and bacteria. Before the situation worsens, schedule an appointment with our team so we can determine the best way to address your tooth.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Refrain from chewing on that side of your mouth, otherwise you could end up disturbing your injured tooth. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort. You can also rinse with saltwater to keep your tooth bacteria-free. If you notice any sharp or jagged edges on your tooth, you can use dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect your soft oral tissue.

How we treat cracked teeth: We’ll examine your cracked tooth to determine the cause of the situation as well as the proper treatment for it. If the crack is minor, then we can typically address it with composite resin to improve and strengthen your tooth. For more severe damage, you may require a dental crown to repair the structure and prevent future discomfort. If the tooth cannot be saved, then we’ll likely have to extract it and replace it with something else, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipping your tooth isn’t always considered an urgent dental situation, so it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get it treated right away. That said, leaving it exposed to bacteria for too long can lead to problems later on. Before the situation can become worse, it’s best to visit your dentist for help.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Until you’re able to see us for treatment, be sure to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Be gentle when brushing your teeth and gums, and don’t hesitate to use dental wax to cover up any rough or sharp edges you might notice. This can help you prevent harming your cheeks or other soft oral tissue.

How we treat chipped teeth: Chipped teeth can typically be treated by using composite resin to repair and improve them. However, if the damage is more visible and toward the front of your smile, then veneers might be the longer-lasting solution you’re looking for.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can be due to various reasons, some of which might not be particularly urgent. Even so, this can sometimes be an indication of a more serious dental emergency, such as an oral infection. That’s why it’s best to visit your dentist sooner rather than later so that they can address the underlying problem before it grows.

How you should handle a toothache: Rinse your mouth with saltwater to sanitize the area, dislodge any stuck objects between your teeth, and help alleviate any discomfort. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to further minimize the aching.

How we treat toothaches: Our team will need to thoroughly evaluate your smile to determine the root cause of your toothache. If it’s due to periodontal issues, then we’ll provide gum disease treatment. Other procedures to get rid of your toothache might involve root canals or tooth extractions, if necessary. We’ll be sure to walk you through your options before moving forward with any treatment.