Porcelain Veneers

dental services

Dental Services

• Introduction
• Fillings
• Sealants
• Veneers
• Inlays / Onlays
• Bonding
• Whitening
• Dental Implants
• Crowns / Bridges
• Examination
• Oral Sedation
• TMJ Headache
• Extractions
• Root Canal Therapy
• Dental Makeovers

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal and conservative choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these problems simply and quickly, to help you achieve a beautiful smile!

Will they look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and take on the natural color of the underlying tooth.   

How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.
Dr. Shah and Dr. Johal will ensure that your porcelain veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

The Procedure:

Diagnosis and treatment planning:

You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Dr. Shah and Dr. Johal will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile.

Preparation appointment:

The second appointment will take a few hours. Although porcelain veneers are very thin, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the added thickness. Typically, a maximum 0.3 - 0.7 millimeters of tooth is removed. This may require little or no local anesthesia as results are best when you bond to enamel.  

Once the teeth are prepared, impressions are taken to send to the lab for fabrication of the veneers.  Temporary veneers are placed that same day so that you will be able to have a good idea of the final shape and appearance of the veneers and also the way they might function when chewing and talking.  If any alterations need to be made, they can be done on the temporaries and then that information will be conveyed to the lab prior to the final veneers being made.  

Bonding appointment:

At the time of your third appointment, Dr. Shah or Dr. Johal will first place the veneers on your teeth with water to check their fit and color. At this point the color of the veneer can slightly adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is determined, and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleansed with specific materials to achieve a strong bond. A special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to harden the cement. This appointment takes can take a few hours depending on the number of veneers being placed.

Care and follow up:

Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks to make sure the final finish and bite are optimal.

Maintenance of your new Veneers:

Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by brushing and flossing. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best esthetic success of your veneer.
You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer.  Sensitivity is not uncommon and should dissipate after one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists please call the office at 837-4517.

If you are a known clencher/grinder (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. Dr. Shah and Dr. Johal will likely recommend a night guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth and veneers while you sleep.

We hope that your new veneers fulfill your esthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.

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