Porcelain Veneers

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 dental 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, 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 and there is no metal, 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 decades. Dr. Stephenson 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 phases:

1. Diagnosis and treatment planning, including models, photographs, bite analysis, and wax ups.
2. Preparation, temporization and design approval
3. Fit and esthetic confirmation and bonding

Diagnosis And Treatment Planning

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

Preparation

Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the added thickness. Often the principle of removing excesses and filling in deficiencies will be followed to idealize contours. In some areas it is possible that no tooth removal is necessary, in other areas there may be some tooth preparation. This may require little or no local anesthesia, but in most cases you should expect to be numb so we can ensure your continued comfort.

When the preparations are complete, a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. Temporary veneers can be placed at this time with more ideal color and contour for you to evaluate over the next 2 weeks. A mold of the temporaries and photos will be take again at this stage to best communicate with the lab. In some cases a design approval appointment will be scheduled to check in with you and confirm the esthetics of the temporaries and final plan. The veneers should be ready in approximately two to three weeks.

Bonding/Cementation

At the time of your next appointment, Dr. Stephenson will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check their 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. Dr. Stephenson is very particular about the exact fit and look of the veneers and in some cases will take photos or have the lab present to further refine the nuances of the restoration. Once the esthetics and fit are appropriate, the color is determined, and the veneer is ready to be applied. The tooth is cleansed 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.

Care And Follow Up

Brush and floss daily and rinse with warm salt water for the first week. 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 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. This is due to the amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate after one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists please call the office.

If you are a known clencher (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. Dr. Stephenson will likely recommend a night guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep. This can often be your best insurance policy.

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.