Park
Cities Dental
"The
Art and Science of a Healthy Smile"
Porcelain
Veneers
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Click here to learn about Lumineers - porcelain veneers with no painful tooth removal!
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramics, which are bonded
to the front of teeth. This virtually painless procedure requires little
or no anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance
of the front teeth. Becoming increasingly popular in the past 12 years,
tens of thousands of porcelain veneers have been placed to mask discolorations,
to brighten teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly resistant to permanent
staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking, the wafer-thin porcelain
veneers can achieve a tenacious bond to the tooth, resulting in an esthetically
pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Actual Patient
Why would you recommend a porcelain
veneer?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns
in many situations. They provide a much more conservative approach to changing
a tooth's color, size, or shape. Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable
defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result
of a root canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings
in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that
are misshaped, chipped, or worn may consider porcelain veneers.
Are they a substitute for braces?
Porcelain veneers are not "instant orthodontics,"
and in most instances, they are not a substitute for braces. Patients with
very crooked teeth should consider braces first. However, patients with
teeth that need minor movement may be suitable for porcelain veneers. The
appearance of crowded front teeth can be corrected with porcelain veneers
when the back teeth have a good bite.
Am I a candidate for porcelain
veneers?
Patients must have fairly sound tooth structure. Those
with periodontal disease or whose teeth are severely broken down, or have
little or no enamel remaining are not ideal candidates for porcelain veneers
If you clench or grind your teeth, porcelain veneers can fracture on their
edges, and clenchers or bruxers (grinders) should definitely wear a night
guard while sleeping. Veneers might not last as long for these patients.
How long will they last?
One dentist reported a 93 percent success rate over 10 years. Generally,
veneers will last for many years, and the technique has really shown remarkable
longevity when properly performed. In some instances, a porcelain veneer
may even last longer than a porcelain crown from an esthetic point of view.
Porcelain veneers achieve virtually invisible edges next to the gums, and
remain almost undetectable, even if the gums move. Crowns, on the other
hand, may have to be replaced every few years because as the gums recede,
a dark margin may become apparent, particularly in young patients.
What happens during the procedure?
Generally, patients need three appointments for the entire procedure:
diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.
Diagnosis and treatment planning:
It's critical that you take an active
role in the smile design. Spend time in the decision-making and planning
of the smile. Have more than one consultation if necessary to feel comfortable
that your dentist understands your objectives. The consultation includes
an evaluation of the present conditions, a visual examination, and sometimes
X-rays. Some dentists take color photographs for the laboratory technician or to show other patients or
colleagues the "before-and-after" results of this procedure.
Actual Patient
Preparation of teeth:
This appointment will take from one to two hours. To
prepare the teeth for the porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed
to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a
half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which usually does not require
a local anesthetic. At this appointment, a mould is taken of the teeth.
Accompanied with a prescription and a detailed plan, the mold is sent to
the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers, which takes about one
to two weeks. Because the teeth are buffed or reduced, they will look a
little different until the next appointment when the veneers will be placed.
If the teeth are too unaesthetic for the patient, a temporary veneer can
be placed at an additional cost. However, since the time is generally short
between the two appointments, many patients do not opt for a temporary.
Until the next appointment, you should avoid extreme temperatures, as these
teeth may be more sensitive than usual.
Bonding of veneers:
This appointment will take about one to two hours. First,
the dentist places the veneers with water or glycerin on the teeth to
check their fit and to get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers
are resting on your teeth, view the esthetic results, and pay particular
attention to the color. To help make your decision, look at your teeth
from different positions, under different lighting, while sitting and standing.
Ask for a full-face mirror, and examine your smile as part of your entire
face. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with
the shade of the cement to be used. Make your decision carefully, because
color cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. If the veneer must
be removed after it is bonded, more of the tooth structure may be lost,
and the second veneer may not bond as well as the first.
Once the final decision on color is made, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. A special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth. Then a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement. Excess cement is removed.
How about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a period
of adjustment as you get used to your "new" teeth that have been
changed in size and shape. Follow normal hygiene procedures by brushing
and flossing daily. At first, flossing may seem "tight" because
of tiny amounts of excess cement that may remain. After one or two weeks,
you may return for a follow-up appointment for minor adjustments of the
veneers and additional cement removal, if necessary.
Be an informed consumer:
Before choosing the dentist to place your porcelain veneers,
request information about the dentist's experience. Before-and-after photographs
of previous treatment will give you an idea of the dentist's esthetic skill.
Ask your dentist about the laboratory technician's expertise with porcelain
veneers. Other questions you might ask are: Is there any way to preview
what I will look like? What if I don't like the results? What complications
do you foresee?
Have realistic expectations:
Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural
teeth, but often they are not "perfect." It's not uncommon
to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection,
as this occurs even in natural teeth. In many situations, this procedure
can greatly enhance a patient's smile, which is so important in our society,
and can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem.
How can I finance Cosmetic Dentistry?
Try using our easy, no interest financial partners: Care
Credit