What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic material, which are bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are 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.
Why 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. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers. Generally, veneers will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed.
The process begins with a 10 point exam, diagnosis and treatment planning: It’s critical that you take an active role in the smile design. We encourage you to spend time in the decision-making and planning of the smile.
Preparation of teeth: This appointment will take from one to two hours. The teeth for the porcelain veneers are prepared to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half tp one millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. At this appointment, a mold is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. This can take about one to two weeks. Temporary veneers will be placed to protect the teeth and give you good esthetics.
Bonding of veneers: This appointment will take about one or two hours. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.
In the below photos, veneers were done on the upper front six teeth. Working with a periodontal surgeon, plastic surgery of the gums was done to even the contour and level across the front and to cover the recession. A youthful, beautiful appearance is restored!