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Porcelain veneers

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This section of our site of cosmetic dentistry clinic provides you with some background into dental veneers, both composite veneers and porcelain veneers.

Dental veneers, sometimes called tooth veneers, can be used to correct both color and shape problems. Tooth veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile.

Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.

Dental Veneers are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice.

Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth. If you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth discoloration, be sure to inform your cosmetic dentist.

Tooth Veneers, porcelain or plastic, are placed over the front teeth to change color shape of the teeth. Dental Veneers are ideal for teeth that are too small, too big, or have uneven surfaces. It is very common for people to have imperfect teeth, either oddly shaped teeth, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, teeth with small holes in them, or an inappropriate sized tooth or teeth that have an odd appearance. Tooth Veneers solve such irregularities and create a durable and pleasing smile.

Often an alternative to crowns, dental veneers are very thin pieces of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic that are glued over the front of your teeth with little or no anesthesia needed. They are the cure for teeth that are severely discolored, chipped, have small holes or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the correction of unwanted or uneven spaces.

Tooth Veneers are created from an impression taken in your cosmetic dentist's office. Each of your custom tooth veneers then glued directly onto your prepared tooth. Typically costing less than crowns, dental veneers won't stain, making tooth veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile.

Strong and very durable, dental veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color.

Teeth are prepared for veneers by lightly buffing to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Tooth Veneers are thin like contact lenses, and will usually only need tooth reduction of 0.5mm to 1.0mm. If a drastic change is being made for the result you want, reduction may be 1.0mm to 2.0mm. A mold is taken of the teeth, from which the veneers are modeled after.

Dental Veneers require a minimal amount of tooth reduction ( approximately .5 mm ) and are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown. More, Tooth veneers allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color.

The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a tooth veneers is approximately one week. Due to the minimal amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. Should a temporary be needed, they can, in most circumstances, be made at the time of treatment.

Your second visit, the insertion of your veneers, can be accomplished, once again, with or without local anesthetic. This visit is usually longer in length. The veneers are placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a white light.

Your dentist places the veneers with water or glycerin on the teeth to verify their perfect fit and the shade or color. The color cannot be changed after the veneers are adhered to your teeth. The tooth is then cleansed with chemicals to achieve a durable bond. Once the glue is between the veneer and your tooth, a light beam is used to harden the glue/cement.

There are two tooth veneers procedures available now on market that correct discoloration of the teeth by removing the brown and yellow staining. While each work effectively, there are advantages and disadvantages to each procedure dependent upon your objectives and commitment to the processes. The type of procedures available should be discussed with your cosmetic dentist, and a they will recommend the most appropriate tooth veneers procedure for you.

Generally speaking, the price of tooth veneers and whitening increases with the number of in-office treatments required by the patient. Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of the tooth veneers procedure. Cost will vary depending on your region, the skill level of your Cosmetic Dentist and the quality of the lab they use.

Porcelain veneers are common in creating new smiles and smile makeovers. With porcelain veneers, you can have the smile of your dreams in a very short period of time. Typically veneers are difficult to stain, making veneers a very popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile.

Strong and very durable, porcelain dental veneers last from ten to fifteen years, and come in colors that will brighten dark teeth without the worry of them changing color. Tooth Veneers are typically done in only two one and a half hour long appointments, and can actually strengthen your tooth.

There is no additional maintenance, other than a follow-up visit to your cosmetic dentist and proper brushing and flossing on a daily basis.

Approximately one week after the placement of your veneers you will be asked to return to the office for a treatment evaluation. This visit is extremely important. It gives your dentist the opportunity to evaluate the placement of the veneers, the tissue response and to answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile.

Once placed your tooth veneers are very strong and will resist most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet. Porcelain has great crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid anything that will tend to twist the veneers. Opening pistachio nuts with your teeth, chewing on bones or jelly apples is probably not a good idea. As with most things, common sense should prevail.

It is common to have minor sensitivity after your teeth have been prepared for your veneers while wearing the temporary veneers. Some people can experience a difference in speech, usually pronouncing "s" and "f" sounds. This is corrected through minor adjustments your cosmetic dentist can make to your veneers.

Veneers are very reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, but not perfect replacements for natural teeth. It's common to see slight variations in the color of veneers upon very close inspection, as with natural teeth. It can take up to a month or two before your new smile feels a part of you.

If you suffer from bruxism, clenching or grinding of your teeth, veneers can be damaged, chipped or cracked from this. If you suffer from bruxism, speak with your cosmetic dentist about wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your new smile.

Unlike other porcelain veneers, you won't need to wear temporary veneers until the Lumineers are created. Lumineers are expected to last just as long as traditional porcelain veneers. Lumineers are reversible if no tooth reduction was necessary when they were first done. Cost is less than traditional porcelain veneers.

As there is little to no tooth reduction needed for Lumineer porcelain veneers, there is a limit to how much smile correction can be accomplished. This can also lead to bulky appearing and feeling veneers in some cases.

Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers are specially trained specifically for this type of veneer which means for the time being there are fewer Cosmetic Dentists offering Lumineers.

There is no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color. The most often heard about, however, is the Vita shade guide.

Not all of your teeth are the same natural color. Usually your eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth are typically the whitest, and molars tend to be a shade between the two. The goal for everyone is to achieve their individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural.

Most dentists will show you a shade chart (like the above mentioned Vita Shade Guide) for you to pick from. Keep in mind, with a good cosmetic dentist this is merely a starting point. Other considerations when determining the color of veneers for each patient are your complexion, hair color, the color of your natural teeth and even your eye color.

The maintenance of your dental Veneers is relatively simple. And main suggestions here: please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems.

Once placed, tooth Veneers are typically the kindest restoration to the gum tissues that we currently have in our prosthetic armamentarium. Do not be afraid that you will damage your veneers by either flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your veneers restorations for years to come.

Normal diet should pose no problem at all. Just please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist the veneers.