AESTHETIC
ENHANCEMENTS
What
are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers
are a thin, semi-translucent laminate permanently bonded to your teeth.
While they're not suitable for every patient, veneers are the most aeshtetic
alternative for a variety of dental conditions involving the front teeth,
including:
• Diastemas (spaces between teeth)
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
• Permanently stained or discolored teeth that can't be bleached
• Crooked teeth
Advantages
and Benefits of Veneers.
There
are many benefits and advantages to having porcelain veneers placed
on your front teeth:
• The procedure takes only two appointments
• A conservative
amount of tooth structure is removed during the procedure
• Veneers are the most biocompatible material you can use next
to the gingiva (part of the gum tissue that immediately surrounds the
teeth and alveolar bone)
• A
healthy "natural" look is achieved; in fact, porcelain veneers
are the most aesthetic restoration.
How
are Veneers different from Bonding or Crowns?
Bonding
is a resin filling material that was used for several years to cover
the front surface of teeth. Today, we generally use bonding only to
fill in small surfaces or cavities and repair chips in teeth. A full
crown is when a tooth has had root canal treatment, or when a substantial
amount of the entire tooth structure (enamel) has been lost.
How
are Porcelain Veneers done?
At
the first appointment the teeth are prepared for the veneers and an
impression is taken. This impression is then sent to a lab where each
porcelain veneer is custom made to the dentist's specifications and
beautiful temporaries are fabricated to simulate your new smile so you
can expect to leave the first appointment looking better than when you
came in. At the second appointment the veneers are permanently adhered
to the natural teeth.
What
What to Expect.
Veneers
can last indefinitely, depending on how well they are taken care of
by the patient. Because veneers are stronger than simple bonding, they
are also more resistant to stains and chipping. You must maintain regular
oral hygiene at home, and visit us for routine cleanings and exams.
This is to ensure that your new veneers will look as good as new. Another
important point is that oral habits that damage natural teeth such as
nail biting, opening bobby pins, and chewing on hard objects can also
damage your new veneers. Once veneers are applied, just treat them like
natural teeth. They look great and are extremely durable.
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