Why get a Ceramic 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,
such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a
root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front
teeth. 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.
What happens during the procedure?
Patients need three appointments for the entire
procedure: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and
bonding.
Diagnosis and treatment planning: It's critical that you take an
active role in the smile design. Spend time in the decision-making and
planning of the smile. Understand the corrective limitations of the
procedure. Have more than one consultation, if necessary, to feel comfortable
that your dentist understands your objectives.
Preparation of teeth: This
appointment will take from one to two hours. To prepare the teeth for the
porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added
thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a 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. If the teeth are too unsightly a temporary
veneer can be placed, at an additional cost.
Bonding of veneers: This
appointment will take about one or two hours. First, the dentist places the
veneers with water or glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense
of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, view the
esthetic results, and pay particular attention to the color. At this point, the
color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be
used. The color cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. To apply the
veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond.
Once special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light
beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.
How about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a period of
adjustment as you get used to your "new" teeth that have been changed in size
and shape. Brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, you'll return for a
follow-up appointment.
Have realistic
expectations????
Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles
of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It's not uncommon to see slight
variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this
occurs even in natural teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure can greatly enhance
your smile, and can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem