Discolored Teeth? Porcelain Veneers May be the Answer

March 6, 2008 - 4:49pm.
Dental | Health
The application of porcelain veneers has become one of the most popular and attractive techniques a cosmetic dentist uses create a more beautiful smile. Porcelain veneers are actually ultra-thin shells of ceramic material that are bonded to the front of your teeth. Placing veneers is a fairly simple procedure that requires little or no anesthesia and is the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front of your teeth.

Fixing the Damage

When staining agents such as certain dark beverages, food, and cigarettes discolor teeth, porcelain veneers are the choice to brighten teeth and improve your smile. They are highly resistant to staining and can achieve a very strong bond to the teeth underneath easily surpassing other restorative dental options.



They also are a conservative approach to improving the appearance of teeth adversely affected by too much fluoride as a child, stained from the use of antibiotics with tetracycline, or simply made unattractive due to injury, fillings, or decay. Patients who have gaps between teeth or chipped teeth may want to consider porcelain veneers. Just like porcelain crowns, veneers can last many years if they are properly applied.

Application

The application of porcelain veneers typically takes three visits to the dentist: diagnosis and planning, preparation and bonding. During the first visit, you will take an active role in the design of your new smile. Your dentist will explain the process thoroughly to you and decisions about what is best for you will be discussed.

During the second visit, the preparation of the teeth visit, the teeth will be prepared for the veneers by first being lightly buffed. Only about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed; this may require local anesthetic. A mold is then take of the teeth, which is sent to the lab that will make your veneers.

For your third and last appointment, the dentist will need about 1-2 hours. First, the veneers are placed on the teeth to check their fit and color. At this time, the color can still be adjusted, but the color cannot be changed after the veneers are cemented in place. To apply the veneer, the teeth are cleansed with a solution to achieve a bond. A special type of cement is placed between the veneer and the tooth, and a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.

Follow-up Visit

After approximately two weeks, you should return to your dentist for a follow-up visit. Keep in mind that upon close inspection, you may detect slight variations in the color of the veneers compared to your own teeth. This is common and even occurs with our natural teeth.

If you think you may be a good candidate for porcelain, or if you would like to learn more about how they are applied, please visit the website of Dr. Thomas O’Neill, serving cosmetic dentistry patients in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area of Florida.

No wonder dentists are happy to say fluorosis is cosmetic.