Are you proud of your smile? Do you look at magazine models and television stars wishing you had the same confident grins they have? If your front teeth are discolored and stained, chipped, cracked, slightly misaligned, or have metal fillings, you may want to consider veneers.
To see what your smile would look like with veneers, we recommend you review our extensive before-and-after gallery. We also offer digital imaging, a computer program that will create an image of you with your new veneers. These tools can help you decide if veneers would be a good choice for your smile. We custom craft each patient’s veneers. You can choose the shape, color, and style that best complements your appearance and the image you want to achieve.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are custom crafted under magnification in a dental laboratory. They are then bonded directly to the front surface of the teeth to create a perfectly shaped, absolutely gorgeous smile. While your new veneers are being fabricated, you will wear a natural-looking temporary that will resemble your projected result. Typically, veneers are completed in two visits over three weeks. Both the preparation and cementation appointments will require mild numbing, and there is no down time.
How durable are porcelain veneers?
Veneers, also called laminates, are long lasting and stain resistant. Once bonded into place, a veneer will perform like a natural tooth. Under normal chewing activity it is unlikely that a veneer would come off. Patients who have veneers are advised not to use their teeth as “tools” and to be slightly more cautious when biting directly into something such as an apple or an ear of corn. Sporting activities or a direct impact that would damage a natural tooth will affect a veneer in a similar fashion. Most patients that have porcelain veneers wear a small bite guard while they sleep to protect the teeth from unconscious clenching or grinding.
How long will my veneers last?
The average life of a veneer can be 10 - 20 years or more. Many factors can affect the overall lifespan. The restoration is adhered to your natural tooth. If neglected, your tooth can develop problems and compromise the veneer. Diet, age, genetics, poor oral hygiene, lack of regular dental visits, and noncompliance with prescribed bite guard are some of the factors that could affect how long your veneers will last.
Can any dentist do a veneer?
Any dentist can call him or herself a cosmetic dentist. Dentists receive limited exposure and opportunity to cosmetics in dental school. It is up to the individual to seek out advanced hands-on training and continue to re-educate with regular frequency. Preparing and cementing veneers requires precision, expertise, and experience on the part of the dentist. Without advanced training and experience, the overall result will most certainly be less aesthetic and could have a shorter lifespan.
Will they look like real teeth?
Making your teeth look natural is a joint effort between an excellent clinical dentist and an exceptional dental laboratory. Dr. Michaelson has a 14-year relationship with a ceramist at a renowned dental laboratory and extensive advanced training in the field of cosmetic bonded dentistry. Restorations created by Dr. Michaelson will blend in seamlessly with your natural dentition and will absolutely look real. The materials and training available today allow us to provide beautiful, strong, long-lasting restorations.
Care of your new veneers
Dental care for veneers is not much different from regular dental care. Brush and floss your new smile daily. Always use a soft toothbrush, apply light pressure, and be thorough. Refrain from using smoker’s toothpaste, baking soda toothpaste, and whitening toothpaste, as they are all too abrasive. Visit us on the recommended recall schedule we specifically design based on your needs.
Most veneer patients see us every four months for cleaning and yearly for exams and X-rays. In our office, each team member is aware of the protocol for cosmetic bonded restorations. If you move away from our practice and have to be treated elsewhere, advise your new dental team of your restorations. Be sure to request the least abrasive polishing paste and advise not to use the ultrasonic cleaner on the veneers. If you have any questions about caring for your veneers, don’t hesitate to call.
Make Over Your Smile
Are you hesitant about porcelain veneers because of the necessary tooth reduction prior to placement? Lumineers™ require minimal and sometimes no tooth reduction to enhance your smile.
Lumineers, just like traditional veneers, can correct many aesthetic dental problems, including stains, discoloration, chips, cracks, misalignment, crookedness, sharp teeth, spaces, and other imperfections.
Patients that choose traditional veneers must undergo some tooth reduction to make room for the restoration. Tooth reduction makes a bonded veneer appear natural, lying flat, in line with existing teeth. However, when natural dentition is removed, it cannot be replaced.
Case selection on the part of the dentist is very important. Not everyone is a candidate for Lumineers. Dr. Michaelson has had extensive training in the field of cosmetic dentistry and is a certified Lumineers provider. We will evaluate your smile and take all your concerns into consideration, and recommend the cosmetic solution that best suits you.
Lumineers are typically bonded to the enamel of the tooth rather than the dentin. Enamel bonding is slightly stronger than dentinal bonding. Little to no tooth reduction is needed to place Lumineers.
If you’re concerned about tooth reduction, but you want a dazzling Hollywood smile, ask us about Lumineers at your next office visit.
Alafaya Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with or sponsored by Den-Mat Holdings/LUMINEERS.
Alafaya Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
Gary Michaelson, DMD
1870 North Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32826
Tel: (407) 374-0247
0 comments:
Post a Comment