Veneers
Chipped, cracked, stained, gapped or crooked teeth can really detract from your smile. In fact, an
unattractive smile can not only affect your self-confidence, but it can also impact your
professional life.
It used to be that the only remedies for misshapen or crooked teeth were lengthy orthodontics or removing most of the outer surface of the tooth and replacing it with a crown. But through the miracle of adhesion dentistry and advances in porcelain materials most of these conditions can be corrected with porcelain veneers.
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain crafted to fit over damaged, misshapen or discolored teeth. Porcelain is a very durable material when bonded to teeth and has similar color, translucence and texture as tooth enamel.
How are porcelain veneers made?
Generally, applying porcelain veneers for chipped, cracked, gapped or crooked teeth is a two visit procedure. During your first visit, after careful cleaning of the tooth being veneered, your tooth will be roughened and shaped to remove part of the outer tooth enamel. This will allow for the thin veneer to be made very close to the same thickness as the enamel that has been removed.
We will
then take an impression of your teeth from which our dental lab can made a mold and craft your
veneer. Depending on your individual needs and the results we are trying to achieve, a
temporary veneer may be applied to protect your tooth while waiting for your veneer to be made
for you. This isn’t, however, always the case.
It usually takes about a week for your veneer to be made. During that time you should take special care of brushing and flossing your teeth to make sure they remain clean and free of bacteria. It may also be suggested that you avoid foods that are known to stain the teeth, such as wine, coffee, tea or tobacco, as your shaped tooth is more prone to staining.
When you return to our office we will test your new veneer to make sure it fits properly and that it is the correct size and color. He will work to do some “fine tuning” to make sure the veneer is the proper shape and that you are satisfied with the result. Your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned again to assure a lasting bond and your new veneer will be bonded to your tooth.
You’ll be amazed at the results of a natural-looking smile where you once had a chipped or misshapen tooth. After the application of your veneers you may find yourself smiling more and a renewed sense of self-confidence flavoring your personality.
If you or a loved one has questions about how you could enjoy a more confident, attractive smile please call Lindy, our scheduling coordinator, for a free cosmetic consultation at 342-3695. You’ll be amazed at the difference a youthful, confident smile can make.