Porcelain Veneers

By Ana M. Arango, DDS

Ana M. Arango, DDS

More Dental Health Articles

Porcelain Veneers

Today, people are more concerned and aware of their appearance. One of the most important aspects of a human being is their smile. The smile always gives the first impression of our personality and also shows how much we care for ourselves. That is why in dentistry, we always come out with new and better alternatives for our patients to fill their needs and expectations.

Cosmetic dentistry has developed new approaches to restore and improve your smile using the conservative technique of veneers.

What is a Veneer?

It consists of very thin but very strong porcelain laminate that is custom made in the laboratory and artistically designed to cover your natural tooth.

The shape of the veneer is created by layering the porcelain so it looks natural. Using the appropriate techniques, this creates a beautiful, confident smile that looks real and natural. Veneers are directly bonded to the teeth using cements that have great adhesive properties.

How is the Procedure Performed?

Before any procedure, it is standard care to have a diagnostic visit, where pre-operatory pictures and impressions of the teeth are taken. A model is used to make the veneers in wax. This allows the patient to see how his/her teeth are going to look after the treatment. Veneers require little to no tooth reshaping, eliminating your concerns about removing healthy enamel.

Before the procedure, we evaluate the patient's need for whitening, so the veneers match the rest of the teeth. This gives a natural smile by combining bleaching and the non-invasive veneers procedure to give the patient a more beautiful and white smile.

Then, the teeth's ideal measurements and proportions are obtained to have the necessary conditions for the laboratory to fabricate the veneers. The dentist will take a silicone impression that is going to help the technician reproduce the patient's teeth and fabricate the veneers on the cast. After a couple of weeks, the patient comes back to the office to have them bonded to the teeth.

Who is a Good Candidate
for Veneers?

Veneers are a great alternative for patients with worn, dulled, and discolored teeth related to their diet or with tetracycline stains. Veneers can also be used to restore chipped teeth, cracks, a generally uneven appearance, abnormal spacing between the teeth from teeth grinding, general wear and tear or malposition.

In addition to esthetic restorations, dental veneers can also serve a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth, eliminating the need for a dental crown and preventing the need for more invasive tooth preparation.

If you want to have a new smile, talk to your cosmetic dental specialist and have a diagnostic visit to see if you are an ideal candidate for veneers.