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Getting porcelain veneers in Colombia can be a good option if you live abroad. It's best to have the design planned specifically for your face, try it on in your mouth before preparing your teeth, and know where the veneers are made. Veneers are an aesthetic and irreversible treatment, so it's worth taking your time to decide.
Here we answer the most frequently asked questions from patients who write to us from the United States, Aruba, and other countries before traveling.
What is a smile makeover and what are veneers?
A smile makeover is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that plans the shape, color, size, and proportion of your teeth to suit your face, lips, and gums. It can combine veneers, whitening, gum contouring, and, when necessary, a preliminary orthodontic phase.
Veneers are very thin shells that are bonded to the visible surface of the teeth to change their shape and color. Porcelain veneers are also known as ceramic lenses or ceramic veneers. Resin veneers are molded directly onto the tooth.
Porcelain or resin veneers?
Both look good when done well. The differences lie in their durability, how the color behaves over time, and the number of appointments required.
| Porcelain veneers | Resin veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated lifespan | 10 to 15 years with good care | 5 to 7 years with good care |
| Color over time | Stable, does not stain | It may fade with age. |
| Where are they made? | In the laboratory | Directly on the tooth |
| Number of appointments | More quotes | One or two dates |
| Tooth wear | Minimal preparation in many cases | Minimal or none |
| If it is damaged | More difficult to repair | It is repaired in the doctor's office |
If you live abroad, the longevity and stability of the color are more important, because returning for a touch-up would mean a flight. Resin is a good option for mild cases or as a first step. The longevity of both depends a lot on your habits: daily hygiene, check-ups every six months, and avoiding biting hard objects.
Are veneers reversible?
No. The American Dental Association explains it in its Patient guide to veneersThe treatment is not reversible because enamel is removed to place the veneer.
Therefore, it is important to be clear about two things:
- How much nail polish is removed. A conservative preparation removes only what is necessary. Ask how much that will be in your case and why.
- The difference between a veneer and a crown. A veneer covers the visible surface of the tooth. A crown covers the entire tooth and requires more preparation. If your plan includes crowns, ask why they are recommended in your case.
Are you a candidate for veneers?
Veneers usually work well in these cases:
- Stained or yellow teeth that do not improve with whitening.
- Worn, fractured teeth or teeth with old fillings that are noticeable.
- Spaces between teeth or teeth of unequal sizes.
- Old crowns or veneers that no longer match in color.
- Slight misalignments.
And there are situations where something else needs to be resolved first:
- Tooth decay or gum disease. They are discussed before the design.
- A bite that doesn't fit together or severely misaligned teeth. An earlier orthodontic phase helps to preserve more healthy teeth.
- Clenching or grinding teeth. The American Dental Association advises that if you clench or grind your teeth, veneers may not be a good option. Mention this during your consultation.
If in the evaluation we see that another alternative suits you better, we will tell you.
What is the step-by-step process?
This is how we work in our clinic. Each stage begins when you pass the previous one:
- Assessment. Photographs, 3D scan, and examination of your bite, gums, and teeth. Then you receive the plan and an exact quote.
- Digital design. We design your smile in the software, on your own face, and adjust it with you.
- Taste it. We place the design in your mouth using a temporary material, without any wear and tear. You look at it, take photos, and approve it.
- Preparation and processing. Once the design is approved, we make the necessary preparations and fabricate your veneers in our laboratory. In the meantime, you'll wear temporary veneers.
- Cementing and controls. Cementation, bite adjustment, and polishing. Then come the checkups.
If you come from another country, the third step is key: there you see the design in your mouth before preparing the teeth.
Test interactivo
¿Carillas de porcelana o de resina?
Cinco preguntas sobre lo que buscas y tus hábitos, y te decimos cuál encaja mejor y por qué.
Empezar el testInteractive quiz
Porcelain or composite veneers?
Five questions about what you want and your habits, and we tell you which one fits better and why.
Start the quizHow many days does it take to get veneers in Colombia?
It depends on the material and how many teeth are involved:
- Resin veneers: one or two dates.
- Porcelain veneers: several appointments, because the veneers are made in a laboratory between the preparation and the cementation.
- If you need orthodontics or gum treatment before: The plan is extended and organized in stages.
We don't give you a fixed number of days because that would be guesswork. The schedule is created based on your plan, after the virtual consultation and before you book your flights. Having the dental lab within the clinic allows us to adjust the color and shape with you present. And with CEREC technology, some ceramic restorations can be designed and fabricated in a single visit, when the case allows.
In our guide to plan the trip to Barranquilla You find out how to organize the dates.
What to ask before choosing a clinic?
These questions are useful in Colombia and in your city:
- If the design is done on your face and you can see it before starting.
- If there is a mouth test before preparing the teeth.
- If they check the bite and gums before the aesthetic aspect.
- What material will the veneers be made of and where will they be manufactured?
- How much nail polish is removed in your case?
- What specialists are on the team, in case your case requires orthodontics or gum treatment.
- If the exact estimate is provided after the assessment with diagnostic images.
How do you care for your veneers when you return to your home country?
The results are maintained with simple habits: daily oral hygiene, checkups every six months with a dentist in your city, and avoiding using your teeth to bite hard objects. The American Dental Association also recommends wearing a mouthguard when playing sports where you might receive a blow.
At the end of the treatment, we'll give you sheets with recommendations and the medications you should take. Please also keep a record of the material of your veneers so a dentist in your city can schedule your follow-up appointments. We provide remote follow-up via chat and phone: if you have any questions, please contact us via WhatsApp. Most treatments come with up to a 5-year warranty, provided you maintain proper care and attend all your appointments.
How to start from where you live?
Carlos Acevedo Dentistry has been practicing in Barranquilla since 2006. We are a team of nine specialists led by Dr. Carlos Acevedo, equipped with a 3D intraoral scanner, our own dental lab, and CEREC technology. We offer consultations in both Spanish and English. We have a 5.0 rating on Google with over 380 reviews, and Barranquilla is approximately three hours from Miami by direct flight.
The first step is a virtual consultation Via Google Meet, for USD 70: you tell us what you want to change, we review your photos, guide you through the alternatives for your case, and give you an estimated quote. You'll receive the exact price during the in-person consultation, as it depends on the diagnostic images, and the design is confirmed with a trial in your mouth. We'll explain why in Why don't we give prices without a valuation?
We accept all major credit cards, and if you live in the United States, you can finance your treatment through our partnership program starting at USD 200 per month: check out our details. financing in the U.S.If you wish, we can coordinate the hotel and other travel details.
You can learn more about the treatment on our page. smile design in Barranquilla, write to us via WhatsApp from contact Or, if you're also missing a tooth, check the information on dental implants.
Key takeaways
- Veneers are irreversible: enamel is removed to place them, so decide calmly.
- Porcelain tends to last longer and retain its color better. Resin requires fewer appointments and can be repaired in the office.
- Ask about the digital design and in-mouth trial before preparing the teeth.
- Cavities, gums, and bite problems are addressed first.
- The number of days depends on the materials and the laboratory. This will be determined in your plan before you book your flights.
- It starts with a virtual consultation via Google Meet: there you receive an estimated budget, and in the face-to-face assessment, the exact one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Colombia?
There's no single price. It depends on how many teeth are being treated, the materials used, and whether you need any prior treatments. At Carlos Acevedo Dentistry, we'll give you an estimated price during the virtual consultation and an exact quote during the in-person evaluation.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
It depends on the material and your habits. In general, porcelain lasts longer than resin. In both cases, your hygiene, checkups, and what you bite down on will play a role. Ask us what you can expect in your specific case.
Can I see my smile design before we begin?
Yes. In our clinic, the design is first created using software based on your photographs and 3D scan, and then it's tested in your mouth with a temporary material, without any actual grinding. Treatment continues once you approve it.
Will it wear down my teeth a lot?
With a minimal preparation technique, only what's necessary is removed, and in some cases, with resin, no further preparation is required. If your teeth are severely misaligned, aligning them first with orthodontics allows for less tooth reduction.
Does smile design hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. You may experience sensitivity to cold for a few days afterward. The specialist will advise you on how to manage it.
How many pages do I need?
It depends on how many teeth you show when you smile and what you want to change. Improving two teeth is not the same as designing your entire smile. The number of teeth you need to see is determined during the consultation.
Are ceramic lenses and porcelain veneers the same thing?
Yes. Ceramic lenses, ceramic veneers, and porcelain veneers are different names for the same thing: very thin sheets of ceramic that are bonded to the visible surface of the tooth.
Sources
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, Veneers: mouthhealthy.org
- CDC Travelers' Health, Medical Tourism: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care: wwwnc.cdc.gov
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace a clinical evaluation. Each outcome depends on the individual case: the diagnosis, treatment plan, and timeline are determined by a specialist after examining you.
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