Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth reduction and are a more conservative restoration than a crown. Using Porcelain veneers we can change your tooth position, shape, size and color.

What are Veneers?

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent "shells" typically attached to your front teeth. Veneers are customized from porcelain material and permanently bonded to your teeth. They are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Some of the common problems that veneers are used for:

• Spaces between the teeth
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Unsightly, stained or discolored teeth
• Crooked or misshapen teeth

Since Porcelain Veneers require a small amount of tooth reduction, porcelain veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment. Adding a porcelain veneer does not require an anesthetic, however, for those patients that are particularly sensitive or nervous, an anesthetic can be used. The amount of time it takes to create a Porcelain Laminate Veneer is approximately one week. Due to the minimal amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. If a temporary is needed they can most often be made at the time of treatment.

Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you can expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and is due to the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering of the tooth. This sensitivity should disappear after the placement of your Porcelain Veneer.

During your second visit , the laminate is applied. This visit is usually longer in length. The laminates are placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light. Once placed, your laminates are strong and will resist most of the forces placed upon them by eating. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Because of this, you should avoid anything that will tend to twist the laminate. Opening pistachio nuts with your teeth, chewing on bones or caramel apples is probably not a good idea. As with most things, common sense should prevail.

Maintenance

The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is relatively simple. Here are a few simple rules to live by:

• Please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Once placed, Porcelain Laminate Veneers are typically the easiest restoration on the gum tissues that we currently have in modern dentistry. Don't be afraid of damaging your laminates from flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive toothpaste is fine. A good home care routine will insure the success of your laminate restorations for years to come.
• Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after the placement of your veneers. This is due to the amount of enamel left on your tooth after preparation, the proximity of the nerve as well as several other factors. Some sensitivity is absolutely normal and usually goes away after one to two weeks. If this sensitivity should remain or concern you at all, please call us so we may help.
• As mentioned before, normal eating will not cause a problem, but please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist the laminates.
• If you are known to be a brusher or clencher, please let us know. We can fabricate a soft night guard for you to wear in order to minimize the stresses placed upon your teeth, especially, your Veneers, while you sleep. Approximately one week after the placement of your laminates you will be asked to return to the office for a treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important! It gives us the opportunity to evaluate the placement of the laminates, the tissue response and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile.

If you choose porcelain veneers, we hope that they will fulfill all of your esthetic goals. With proper home care and scheduled evaluation visits, they can provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.