Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are used to modify the shape and color of teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are etched and then bonded to the enamel of the teeth. Tooth preparation is necessary to avoid over bulking of the tooth, but it is limited to the enamel and usually involves only a few surfaces of the tooth.

Although dental veneers fall into the category of cosmetic dentistry because they create bright, white smiles with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth, they also protect the surface of damaged teeth and may eliminate the need for more extensive treatments. Other benefits of veneers include color stability, durability, an improved smile appearance, and the need for little-to-no removal of tooth structure compared to crowns.

Porcelain veneers could correct many unattractive teeth, including

• enamel wear
• significantly discolored teeth
• congenitally misshaped teeth
• abnormal spacing between teeth
• wear and cracked teeth
• uneven teeth

The procedure:

The porcelain veneer procedure first requires a thorough examination of your teeth and a smile evaluation by your Prosthodontist. After determined that porcelain veneers are appropriate for you, we will make a mold of your present teeth and perform a smile design before the teeth are prepared for veneers.

Once the smile designed is approved by you and your dentist, the teeth will then be reshaped. Only a thin layer of teeth will be prepared for porcelain veneers. An impression will be made and sent to lab for veneer fabrication. You will go home with provisional veneers.

At the following visit, the provisional is removed, and the veneers are tried in. We will check to make sure the margins to ensure smooth fitting with tight contacts. Bite is checked to ensure proper occlusal design. More importantly, we will evaluate the appearance (contour and color) of the teeth with you till your satisfaction. Once everything is checked fine, the veneers will be bonded to your teeth with special techniques to ensure proper fitting.

Care of porcelain veneers:

Care must taken not to abuse veneers because the thin porcelain shells can be damaged or break. Avoid chewing hard foods, ice or other hard objects, since this could damage your veneers. It is also important to avoid biting your fingernails and grinding your teeth, which could significantly shorten the life-span of your porcelain veneers. If you habitually clench or grind your teeth, we recommend you to wear a night-time occlusal guard to help protect your veneers while sleeping.