There is an old saying that goes, “You are never fully dressed without a smile.” From subtle changes to major repairs, your cosmetic dentist can perform a variety of procedures to improve your smile. There are many techniques and options available to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing. Cosmetic dentistry is concerned with the appearance of teeth, and the enhancement of a person’s smile. In this field, the emphasis is on the art of dentistry, not just the science.
On the surface, creating white teeth, or even whole new teeth in general, may not appear to be that complicated. Yet cosmetic dentistry requires a good eye, a thorough understanding of dental anatomy, and a mastery of dental materials. You’ll often hear people say that celebrities have veneers and this may seem like the best way to replicate picture-perfect teeth, but as each mouth is different, veneers need to be carefully researched.
What are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells of ceramic (porcelain) material, which are bonded to the front of your teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia, and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front teeth. Veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten teeth and to improve your smile.
Veneers provide a much more traditional approach to changing a tooth’s color, size or shape. Veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth staining, and damage due to an injury or because of a root canal. They are ideal for masking discolored fillings. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or who have teeth that are chipped or worn may consider veneers. Generally, veneers will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable long-term results when done properly.
How is the procedure done?
To prepare your teeth for veneers, your teeth are lightly buffed down to allow for the slightly added thickness of the veneer. After the tooth is prepared, the dentist carefully bonds and sculpts the composite material onto your teeth. When your ceramic veneers are ready, the dentist places each veneer on the teeth to check the fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, view the results, and pay 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 a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a light beam hardens the cement, creating that beautiful smile.
If you think you are a candidate for dental veneers, call Dedicated Dental at (702) 566-5509 to request an appointment.
