Services
Porcelain veneers: An alternative to crowns
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin shells of tooth-coloured material which
are bonded to the front of the tooth. 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 a natural, estherically pleasing appearance.
Why a porcelain veneer?
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. Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects such as tetracycline stains,
irregularities from an injury to the teeth, or discolouration as a result of root-canal
therapy. Patients with gaps between their front teeth, or chips in their front teeth
also have excellent results with veneers. Generally, veneers will last for many years -
this technique for immediately inhancing your smile has shown remarkable longevity.
What happens during the procedure?
Patients need three appointments for the entire procedure: diagnosis and treatment
planning, preparation, and bonding.
Diagnosis and treatment planning: It's critical that you take an active
role in the 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 your dentist understands your
objectives.
Preparation of teeth: This appointment will take from one to two hours.
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 local anesthetic. At this appointment, a mold is
taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers.
This can take about one to two weeks. If the teeth are too unsightly a temporary veneer
can be placed.
Have realistic expectations
Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect replacements.
It is not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon
close inspection, this occurs even in natural teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure
can greatly enhance your smile, and can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem.
We always recommend that our patients who are having major restorative work done
(implants, crowns, veneers, bridges) do a course of bleaching prior to having the
work done. If the restorative work is matched to the yellow or grey teeth, there
is no way to change the colour.
Bonding
Do you have stained, chipped, or widely spaced teeth?
How is it done?
We apply a natural looking material (composite resin) onto the tooth to cover
up small cracks or gaps. The material is then hardened, smoothed and polished.
This appointment will take about one or two hours.
What are the advantages?
Bonding involves little or no use of drilling or anesthetic. Several teeth can
even be bonded during a single visit. In addition, bonding is one of the most
inexpensive ways to achieve a great smile!
Is Bonding for Me?
Bonding can help correct many different smile problems, such as stubborn stains,
gaps between the teeth, or chipped or uneven teeth. We can help you decide whether
bonding would benefit you.
How about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a period of adjustment as you get
used to new teeth that have been changed in size and shape. Brush and floss daily.
Sources:
Mark J. Friedman, professor of restorative dentistry
at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry, and in private
practice in Encino, California; Cornelis H. Pameijer, DMD, PHD, professor of
prosthodontics at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine: Michael
Weisenfeld, DDS, FAGD, Greensboro, North Carolina, Aetna Insurance dental consultant;
"Porcelain laminate veneers: a clinical success?" Dental Update.
May 1993 ;"The state of the art in porcelain laminate veneers,"
Esthetic Dental Update, October and December 1991 ;"Direct composite or
bonded porcelain: a clinical choice for anterior aesthetics," CDA Journal,
April 1994.
