Cosmetic

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of the teeth to give you a bright, white, even and attractive smile. Made of porcelain, veneers make it possible to correct a variety of color and shape problems. Veneers can:

• Reduce or eliminate spaces between the teeth (diastemas)
• Repair broken or chipped teeth
• Whiten dark teeth, yellow teeth, permanently stained teeth or otherwise discolored teeth
• Correct misshapen or crooked teeth
• Close small holes or pits in teeth
• Improve the appearance of teeth that are too small, too big, or uneven

The main advantages of porcelain veneers are that they are extremely natural looking and are resistant to future staining. In fact, porcelain veneers are custom-made in a dental laboratory to look exactly like the patient's teeth. Additionally, there is no tooth reduction needed in the manner of composite resin, which takes up considerably more bulk and volume once applied.

What are the steps of porcelain veneer placement?

At your first appointment, your dentist takes an impression of your teeth so he or she can create veneers that are appropriate for your individual smile.

During your second appointment, the natural teeth that will be receiving veneers are "buffed" or "shaved" a very small amount to compensate for the added thickness of the veneers, so afterwards your teeth are the same size as they were before. Your dentist holds the veneers to your teeth to confirm that they're the correct shape, size and color, and then he or she bonds the veneers in place with the help of an etching solution and a special light. The veneers will last for about 10-15 years. Oftentimes, it is possible to "try on" your veneers first with a temporary cement to see how they will look. Ask your dentist about this option.

Why choose veneers over crowns?

Veneers offer several advantages over crowns; veneers are more durable, often do not require much (if any) removal of the natural tooth material, and will not stain or change color-and they tend to cost less.

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