Beverly Hills Porcelain Veneers
What are porcelain veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a smile restoration tool that has come to be one of the more trusted solutions for stained, crooked, misaligned, chipped teeth, or otherwise imperfect teeth. Also referred to by some as "dental veneers" or "porcelain laminates," each veneer is a thin, yet very durable, piece of porcelain that is adhered to the surface of the natural teeth.
Beverly Hills porcelain veneers patients seek such smile enhancement for a number of reasons. Some are looking for a teeth whitening method that lasts longer than traditional options, or for a way to hide stains below the surface (often caused by certain antibiotics or health conditions) that can't be treated by at-home bleaching or laser whitening. Ohers get porcelain veneers to close gaps, fix chipping, or for general repairs to teeth made unattractive by years of neglect. Many Beverly Hills porcelain veneers patients even pursue the procedure to lenghten teeth that are too short or to improve the look of a "gummy" smile.
How is it that porcelain is used in dental procedures? Porcelain veneers are one of the more recent developments in the dental bonding arena of cosmetic dentistry. Different materials that can provide a very durable bond to teeth enamel have been used by dentists for years. It is the reliable bonding capabilities of such materials that make it possible for a thin sheet of porcelain, or a porcelain veneer, to be secured to the surface of a tooth. While porcelain is usually thought to be a very delicate material, it gains much strength and durability once bonded to a tooth.
Why choose porcelain veneers over other dental bonding methods at this Beverly Hills Dentist Office? There are two major factors that make porcelain veneers superior to other options: The use of porcelain allows patients an incredibly natural result and porcelain is a material that is resistant to permanent staining.
It might come as a surprise to some people that our teeth are not completely made of enamel, but that just the outer coating of teeth is enamel. This enamel is naturally translucent, so light penetrates a tooth's surface rather than being automatically reflected off the tooth. Light will ultimately be reflected off the deeper layer of the teeth, but it is important to realize that a key to the natural appearance of teeth is this translucent nature and delayed reflection of light. What makes porcelain veneers superior is that porcelain, even though it becomes durable once bonded to the teeth, is delicate and glass-like, thus allowing light to pass through it much like natural teeth.
Older bonding methods of cosmetic smile enhancement had a major drawback: they could be stained just as natural teeth could. Of course, this poses a problem for patients who drink tea, coffee, dark pop, or red wine, which are among the culprits causing most of these patients to pursue smile rejuvenation treatments in the first place.
The porcelain of porcelain veneers is what helps to make them so superior to these older methods. The texture and makeup of porcelain, a very smooth material, allow it to repel permanent staining.
More about the benefits of porcelain veneers?
There are certainly other methods of enhancing or restoring a smile. Porcelain veneers have proven to be a longer-lasting option with a more natural appearance, but they're not always right for everyone or every dental situation. You'll require a consultation with your dentist to find out if porcelain veneers, or some other dental procedure, will be the best solution for your needs.Dental bonding materials of the past were only partly translucent, so they unnaturally reflected light, rather than allowing light to pass through like real teeth. While the bonded material did improve the look of imperfect teeth, it produced no sense of depth. Thus, it lacked the distinctive characteristic in teeth and gave patients an unnatural appearance.
The great think about porcelain veneers is that their delicacy makes them much like glass, so unlike other dental bonding, they achieve the translucence of natural teeth. Porcelain therefore works just like enamel. Plus...You will stand out in the Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive crowd.
As is the case with enamel, light that is directed at a porcelain veneer will penetrate the top layer and not reflect back out until it reaches the deeper layers of the tooth. Because of this, even with a porcelain veneer on, the teeth have a depth to them. Beverly Hills porcelain veneers patients are always pleased with results that look remarkably natural. No one but you and your dentist will be able to tell that you've cosmetic dentistry work done on your mouth.
What happens during the procedure?
There are three steps in the porcelain veneer process. First is the consultation and planning appointment, then the fitting and preparation, and finally, the bonding.
Consultation and planning: This is when you can really express your goals for the procedure. Talk to your dentist about the look you'd like to achieve. By voicing such goals and playing an active role in the planning, you'll have a better chance for a sucessful outcome. Your doctor can better explain the possibilities and limitations of the procedure when working with a patient who is engaged in the process. And if you feel it would help, don't hesitate to request a second consultation.
Fitting and Preparation: It's usually safe to plan on about an hour or two for this appointment, the first step of which is the buffing. To compensate for the extra layer that the veneer will add, the surface of your natural teeth must be slightly shaved down, usually by about a half millimeter. This somemtimes calls for a local anesthetic. Your teeth are also fitted for the veneers, so a mold is taken and sent to the dental laboratory. It usually takes between 1-2 weeks for the lab to prepare the veneers. Many patients accept temporary veneers during this time to cover the sometimes unsightly appearance of the buffed teeth.
Bonding of veneers: Usually lasting about an hour or two, this final appointment begins with a test fitting. Your dentist will affix the veneers with a temporary adhesive like water or glycerine, just to check that the size and color. This is your chance to look for any problems with the veneers and object if you should find any. If you have concerns about the color, voice them, because your dentist can still adjust the hue by choosing an alternate shade for the bonding cement. Once the porcelain is bonded, though, its shade cannot be changed. If you and the denist are satisfied with the veneers, special chemicals that allow for bonding will be used to clean the teeth. The bonding cement is applied, the veneer is situated, and then a light beam is applied to the surface of the veneer to stimulate the hardening of the cement.
What kind of care is required after the porcelain veneers are bonded?
Because the veneers are likely to have not only improved the look of your teeth and smile, but also to have altered the size a shape, it'll take some time to get used to them. Most patients need at least a week to adapt to this change. As you accustom your tongue to the new veneers, don't forget to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. You'll probably want to have a follow-up vist with your Beverly Hills porcelain veneers dentist about a week or two after having them bonded to your teeth.