PORCELAIN
VENEERS....
A natural tooth consists of
a crown (the part you see above the gum), and the root (the
part hidden under the gum, within the jawbone). It is the
root that actually holds the natural tooth in place.
Veneers are a fantastic way
to fix front teeth. You can whiten your teeth, close spaces,
and create a great smile. We can even do virtually instant
orthodontics to straighten crooked teeth.
* Spaces between the teeth (diastemas)
* Broken or chipped teeth
* Unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
* Permanently stained or discolored teeth
* Mis-shapen or crooked teeth
* Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth
 Have
you ever wished you had better looking teeth without all the
hassle of braces (orthodontics) or crowns (caps)? NOW YOU
CAN! Porcelain veneers are the answer for instant orthodontics
to straighten smiles, close spaces, reshape, and accomplish
minor realignment of your teeth.You can even have that "Hollywood"
smile you've always wanted.
Veneers are very thin and are
bonded on the front of your anterior teeth. Dentists use some
of the same techniques to bond plastic resins for minor smile
corrections. These veneers are about 0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness
but are very strong once bonded to your teeth. They have a
"life like" appearance with the strength, beauty,
and durability only porcelain restorations can afford. Veneers
have several advantages over crowns (caps).
There is no "dark line"
that is sometimes seen with older front caps. They transmit
light better and, therefore, have a more translucent appearance
giving a natural, esthetic look. Veneers do not require the
massive grinding of tooth structure that caps do, yet, they
accomplish a lifelike esthetic result.
How's it done? After a through discussion with your dentist
to establish just what you wish to accomplish AND establish
what can or can not be done, your first appointment usually
involves some minor contouring of the front teeth and taking
an impression of the teeth. The veneers are tried in, and,
if satisfactory, they are bonded in place. A follow up visit
is made in a week.
The results are instant and
spectacular! Many times, we combine bleaching with porcelain
veneers to make that perfect smile. If some front teeth are
already badly broken down, we can place new all porcelain
crowns combined with veneering and other cosmetic techniques.
As always, talk to your dentist or one specializing in cosmetic
dentistry and discuss your specific desires. Usually, we can
give you that smile you have always wanted.
Porcelain laminate veneers are
probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing
and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth
reduction ( approximately .5 mm ) and are, therefore, a more
conservative restoration than a crown. Porcelain veneers allow
us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They are
not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but
are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment
of choice.
 Some
facts you might want to know about Porcelain Veneers
• Since they require approximately
.5mm of tooth reduction, porcelain veneers are NOT considered
a reversible form of treatment.
• Occasionally the preparation of a Porcelain Laminate Veneer
does not necessitate the use of a local anesthetic. However,
for those patients that are particularly sensitive or anxious,
a local anesthetic is advisable.
• The laboratory time required for the fabrication of 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. Should a temporary
be needed, they can, in most circumstances, 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 Laminate Veneer.
• Your second visit, the insertion of your laminate, can be
accomplished, once again , with or without local anesthetic.
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 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 laminate.
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.
Maintenance
of Your New Porcelain Veneers :
The maintenance of your Porcelain
Laminate Veneer is relatively simple. A few suggestions, however,
are in order:
1. Please brush and floss as
you normally would to prevent oral hygiene problems. Once
placed, Porcelain Laminate 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 laminates by either flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive
tooth paste is acceptable. A good home care regimen will insure
the esthetic success of your laminate restorations for years
to come.
2. Some sensitivity to hot
and cold may be experienced after the placement of your veneers.
This relates 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
dissipates after one-two weeks. If this sensitivity should
remain or concern you at all, please call your dentist.
3. As mentioned before, a normal
diet should pose no problem at all. Please avoid anything
that will tend to bend or twist the laminates.
4. If you are known to be a
bruxer or clencher, please let your dentist know. He/she will
fabricate a soft nite guard for you to wear to minimize the
stresses placed upon your teeth 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 your dentist the opportunity to evaluate
the placement of the laminates, the tissue response and to
answer any questions you might have regarding your new smile.
We hope that your Porcelain Laminate Veneers have fulfilled
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.
TEETH
IN AN HOUR - Teeth
In An Hour is a new protocol that allows patients to leave
the office with fixed teeth in less an one hour.
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