Porcelain veneers are one of the most esthetic ways to improve a worn or discolored smile. At Advanced Dental Arts, we offer a free cosmetic consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers or if there are appropriate alternatives.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Everyone is different. A few people have naturally beautiful smiles.But most of us have some flaws or develop some in the course of life. Fortunately, professional dentistry can give almost anyone an attractive smile.
There are three categories of cosmetic dentistry, those that add dental material, techniques that remove dental material and those that modify the alignment of teeth or the color of teeth or gums. Cosmetic dentistry techniques that add dental structure include bonding, veneers, crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, and gum grafts. Cosmetic dentistry techniques that remove dental structure include tooth reshaping (also called enamel shaping or enameloplasty) and gingivectomy (removal of gum tissue.) Teeth whitening can be used to improve color of tooth enamel. Gum depigmentation can clear up dark spots on gums. Teeth that are crooked can be straightened. We have over 25 years of experience. With us, you really can have that beautiful smile you’ve always imagined.
Why Porcelain Veneers?
When drinks, food, age and cigarettes discolor teeth; porcelain veneers are the choice to brighten teeth and improve your smile. Veneers are highly resistant to staining and can achieve a very strong bond to the teeth, easily surpassing other restorative dental options.
Porcelain veneers are a conservative approach to improving the appearance of teeth adversely affected by too much fluoride as a child, stained from the use of antibiotics with tetracycline or simply made unattractive due to injury, fillings, or decay. Patients who have gaps between teeth or chipped teeth may want to consider porcelain veneers. Just like crowns, veneers can last many years if they are properly applied.
Veneers may be used for:
- Uneven or crooked teeth
- Teeth that have shapes that are out of proportion
- Tetracycline stained teeth that have gray color spaces between teeth
- Too much gum when you smile
- Yellow teeth that are dark and cannot be whitened or bleached
- Teeth that are sensitive can be made much less sensitive
- Worn down teeth that age your smile
Typically, the application of porcelain veneers takes three visits to the dentist: diagnosis and planning, preparation and lastly bonding. During the first visit, you will take an active role in the design of your new smile. Dr. Simon will explain veneers thoroughly to you and decisions about what is best for you will be made together.
During the second visit, the teeth will be prepared for the veneers by first being lightly buffed. Only about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed; this may require a local anesthetic. A mold is then taken of the teeth, which is sent to the lab that will make your porcelain veneers.
At your third and final appointment, the veneers are placed on the teeth to check their fit and color. At this time, the color can still be adjusted but the color cannot be changed after the veneers are cemented in place. To apply the veneer, the teeth are cleaned with a solution to achieve a bond. Cement is placed between the veneer and the tooth and a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.