Porcelain Veneers for smile makeovers

Dental veneers have long been used to create the ultimate smile makeover, with this treatment it is possible to transform crooked, stained, damaged and badly worn teeth into a brand new straight white smile.

There are a wide variety of situations where dental veneers can be used:

Stained Teeth - badly stained teeth that cannot be improved by teeth whitening can greatly be improved by dental veneers, which function to cover and "hide" any existing stains on your natural teeth.

Damaged Teeth - teeth that have either become badly worn with excessive grinding, by carbonated drinks, or have been chipped or broken in an accident can benefit from veneers. A small chip on a tooth can quickly be repaired with composite bonding or "composite veneers" which are one and the same thing. A single damaged tooth can easily be repaired with a single porcelain veneer that has the same characteristics and colour to match your surrounding teeth so that it looks natural.

Gaps - spaces or gaps (diastimas) between your teeth can be easily closed using dental veneers giving you a more uniform looking smile.

Crooked teeth - although veneers are not the ideal treatment choice for crooked teeth and from a point of view of preserving your natural teeth structure orthodontics or invisalign braces would probably a better solution. However, treatments can take up to a year or longer with braces. For teeth that are not severely crooked veneers placed over their front surface will give a straight and perfectly aligned looking smile. For this type of treatment many people refer to veneers as "instant orthodontics" since you get a similar end result in a fraction of the time.
What is the procedure of having dental veneers fitted?

1. The first part of any dental procedure is the initial consultation and examination so that the dentist can get a feel for what you want and understand your needs and concerns. The dentist should explain the treatment procedure to you including an accurate guide to the likely costs of your treatment.

2. Before your veneers are designed your dentist will need to reshape and prepare the front surfaces of your teeth so that they can accommodate the veneers. The first stage is to numb the teeth and gums with a local anesthetic so that you do not feel anything during the procedure.

3. Using a special tool called a burr (a dental drill or file) a tiny amount of the front surface of your teeth will be shaved off. The amount removed should be equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will sit over the top of the tooth.

4. Next an impression or mould (copy) of your teeth is taken. A special dental "putty" is placed into your mouth on a tray and pushed into your teeth so that it takes an imprint of your teeth, similar to how you would leave a footprint in sand.

5. This "impression" or mould of your teeth is then sent to a dental laboratory. The laboratory use the impression to cast an accurate model of your teeth which is used as a guide to fabricate your new veneers, this process can take between one to three weeks.

6. whilst you are waiting for your veneers to be fabricated your dentist you may be fitted with some temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth. Not all dentists will offer temporary veneers.

7. On your second appointment your dentist will fit your new veneers to your teeth. First the dentist may just sit the teeth over your teeth to see how they look with your smile and he or she may need to trim or adjust the veneer.

8. Next your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned and the front surfaces etched (roughened) with a special acid gel so that they provide a good surface for the dental cement to stick to.

9. The veneers are then cemented into place and a special curing light is used to activate the dental cement so that it permanently bonds the veneer to the front surface of your prepared tooth. If there is any excess cement it is usually trimmed away and polished to leave a beautiful and natural looking restoration.
At the Dental-Studio Dr. Korody can use the CEREC system to create your veneers in the same visit.