Veneers are a fantastic way to fix front teeth. You can whiten your teeth, close spaces, and create a great smile. We can even do virtually instant orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.
| Spaces between the teeth (diastemas) · Broken or chipped teeth · Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings · Permanently stained or discolored teeth · Misshapen or crooked teeth · Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth |
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Veneers are very thin and are bonded on the front of your anterior teeth. These veneers are about 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness but are very strong once bonded to your teeth. They have a "life like" appearance with the strength, beauty, and durability only porcelain restorations can afford. Veneers have several advantages over crowns (caps). There is no "dark line" that is sometimes seen with older front caps. They transmit light better and, therefore, have a more translucent appearance giving a natural, esthetic look. Veneers do not require the massive grinding of tooth structure that caps do, yet, they accomplish a lifelike esthetic result.
How's it done?
After a thorough discussion with us to establish just what you wish to accomplish AND establish what can or can not be done, your first appointment usually involves some minor contouring of the front teeth and taking an impression of the teeth. The veneers are tried in, and, if satisfactory, they are bonded in place. Many times, we combine whitening with porcelain veneers to make that perfect smile. If some front teeth are already badly broken down, we can place new all porcelain crowns combined with veneering and other cosmetic techniques. Some facts you might want to know about Porcelain Veneers: Since they require approximately .5 mm of tooth reduction, porcelain veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment. Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you can expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and is due to the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering of the tooth. This sensitivity should disappear after the placement of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer. Your second visit, the insertion of your laminate, can be accomplished with or without local anesthetic, but typically a small amount of anesthesia is preferable. This visit is usually longer in length. The laminates are placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light. Once placed your laminates are very strong and will resist most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid anything that will tend to twist the laminate. Opening pistachio nuts with your teeth, chewing on bones or jelly apples is probably not a good idea. As with most things, common sense should prevail.
Maintenance of Your New Porcelain Veneers:
The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is relatively simple. A few suggestions, however, are in order: Please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Once placed, Porcelain Laminate Veneers are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that we currently have in our prosthetic armamentarium. Do not be afraid that you will damage your laminates by either flossing or brushing. Any nonabrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your laminate restorations for years to come. Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after the placement of your veneers. This relates to the amount of enamel left on your tooth after preparation, the proximity of the nerve as well as several other factors. Some sensitivity is absolutely normal and usually dissipates after one-two weeks. If this sensitivity should remain or concern you at all, please call our office. As mentioned before, a normal diet should pose no problem at all. Please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist the laminates.
