Porcelain Veneers Help the Real You Smile Through!
Are you smiling when you look in the mirror? Or is the real you blocked from view by one of these conditions?
Spaces between teeth (diastemas)
Broken or chipped teeth
Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
Permanently stained or discolored teeth
Misshapen or crooked teeth
Dark yellow or stained teeth
As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, I would like to tell you about an alternative that will let the real you smile through - Porcelain Veneers.
What are veneers?
These wafer-thin shells of porcelain are bonded onto the front side of teeth in order to create a cosmetic improvement. Porcelain is an extremely durable material with a color, translucence and texture similar to your natural teeth. Veneers are not susceptible to decay and resist staining, while maintaining a natural look. Although no cosmetic procedure can replace good oral hygiene, porcelain veneers applied over your natural teeth can brighten your smile and your self-esteem.
How is veneering performed?*
Patients usually need three appointments for the procedure:
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: Your cosmetic dentist will consult with you, ensuring you understand the procedure and your goals for obtaining a beautiful smile are defined.
Preparation of teeth: The teeth are lightly buffed to allow for added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about ½ millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require anesthetic. Then a mold is taken of the teeth. If the teeth are too unsightly, a temporary veneer can be placed.
Bonding of Veneers: Approximately two weeks later, the dentist places the veneers with water or Glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of color matches, since color can't be adjusted once the veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once this cement is in place, a light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.
What can I realistically expect?
Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, but they're not perfect. You might see slight variations in the porcelain color, just as with natural teeth; however, this procedure can greatly enhance your smile and heighten your inner satisfaction. And the next time you look in the mirror, your smile will be a reflection of the real you.
