Advanced Dental Esthetics offers a choice of veneers based on the desired cosmetic outcome and unique cosmetic dental needs of each patient. We can discuss in detail about Veneers.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They're made by a dental technician, usually in a dental laboratory, working from a model provided by your dentist. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly resistant to permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking, the wafer-thin porcelain veneers can achieve a tenacious bond to the tooth, resulting in an esthetically pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

Recommendation to a Porcelain Veneer

Crown Replacement: 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.

Severe Discolorations: Porcelain veneers can treat undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as the result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. They look exactly same as natural teeth.

Instant Orthodontics: In some situations in which the anterior (front) teeth are mildly misaligned, crooked, or rotated can be corrected with porcelain veneers through a procedure called Instant Orthodontics.

Diastema Treatment (gaps between teeth): Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.

One of the examples you can see in the Before & After picture of young female who complained of multiple diastemas (spaces) of the upper teeth, a gummy smile and congenitally short teeth. This treatment consisted of placing four custom porcelain veneers and laser gum lifting and recontouring to produce a fuller symmetrical smile.

Generally, veneers will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity when properly performed and maintained.

Veneer Procedure

Diagnosis and treatment planning: It is important that you take an active role in this whole procedure as it is in relation with your 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 we understand your objectives.

Preparation of teeth: This appointment will take from one to two hours depending on the number of teeth. 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 half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. At this appointment, an impression is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the dental laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. Depending on the number of teeth, dental lab may take about one to two weeks. Due to buffed teeth, they will look a little different until the next appointment when the veneers will be placed. If the teeth are too unsightly for you, a temporary veneer can be placed, at an additional cost.

Veneer Bonding: This appointment will take about one to 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, with a respect to the color of the teeth. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be used. Please note that the color cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific material to achieve a bond. Once special cement is inserted 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.

Veneers look exactly same like 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 improve your self-esteem.

You should know that this is usually an irreversible process, because it's necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell. Your dentist may recommend that you avoid some foods and beverages that may stain or discolor your veneers such as coffee, tea or red wine. Sometimes a veneer might chip or fracture. But for many people the results are more than worth it.

There's no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today at Advanced Dental Esthetics a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct nature's mistake or the results of an injury and help you have a beautiful smile.
If you have any questions about veneers ask your dentist. If you want to see some of our patient's pictures of before and after treatment of veneer please click here: Before & After gallery.

View some of our pictures of Before and After Treatment