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 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 maladies, simply and quickly and 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 they 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. Hopkins will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.
The Procedure
This procedure will require three appointments:
Diagnosis and treatment planning
Preparation
Bonding
Diagnosis & Treatment Planning
You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Dr. Hopkins will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile.
Preparation
The second appointment will take one to two hours. Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the added thickness. Approximately one half of a millimeter of tooth is removed. This may require little or no local anesthesia.
Then a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. In some cases, temporary veneer will be placed at this time. The permanent veneer should be ready in approximately one to two weeks.
Bonding
At the time of your third appointment, Dr. Hopkins will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check the fit and color. At this point, the color of the veneer can still be 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 cleaned with specific chemicals to achieve a 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 approximately one to two hours.
– Care & Follow-Up
– Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks.
– Maintenance of Your New Veneers
– Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by doing so. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best aesthetic success of your veneer.
If you are a known clencher (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. Dr. Hopkins may recommend a soft night guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep. We hope that your new veneers fulfill your aesthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.