Porcelain Veneers

WHAT ARE VENEERS?

Veneers are wafer-thin shells bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve their appearance. Teeth that are discolored, stained, chipped or cracked can quickly be corrected. Veneers can even correct moderate misalignment and gaps between the teeth. In just a couple of weeks, you can achieve a dramatic improvement in the appearance of your smile.

PREPARING FOR VENEERS

We will first take an accurate impression of your teeth by having you bite into a molding compound. This mold will be sent to a dental lab so they can create your veneers.

Some people only need veneers on one or two teeth and other people use them as part of a full smile makeover. If you are only getting veneers for a few teeth, the color of the veneers will be matched to your other teeth. Otherwise, you can choose the brightness of your new smile.

The lab will return your veneers to our office in one to two weeks and we will schedule you for an appointment to place them.

PLACING YOUR NEW VENEERS

We will need to prepare your teeth for the bonding process. Your teeth will need to be etched to ensure the cement will adhere firmly to the front and tip of your teeth. Some shaping of teeth may also be needed as part of the process of preparing for veneers.

We want to ensure they are a perfect fit and look just right, so we might make some small adjustments. Then we will place them using temporary cement so you can make sure you are fully satisfied with their appearance.

Finally, a permanent cement will be used to secure your veneers. A special light will harden this cement in just minutes. Veneers typically last for five to ten years and do not require any special care. Simply care for them the way you would care for your natural teeth – brush them twice a day using a soft toothbrush, floss daily and keep seeing your dentist twice a year to cleanings and examinations. Then enjoy your beautiful new smile every day!

These wafer-thin shells that are most often made from porcelain or ceramic are bonded to the front surface of a tooth to cover teeth that are discolored, stained, chipped, cracked or even misaligned or have gaps between them.

Your dentist makes impressions of your teeth and then a mold of the way your teeth will look once the veneers are placed. The mold is sent to a dental lab where the veneers are created.

Once they are returned to your dentist’s office (typically in five to ten business days), your dentist uses a special cement to apply the veneer to your tooth or teeth. Once the veneer is placed and both you and your dentist are happy with the way it looks, a special light is used to harden the cement and permanently attach the veneer to your tooth.

Veneers are made in a tone and translucency that either matches your teeth or to whiten and improve the looks of your teeth. Veneers typically last for five to ten years and do not require any special care, just brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist.