Porcelain Veneers: Looking Beyond the Basics of this Advanced Procedure
- By:David Berry
What does a smile say about a person? Yes, it sounds shallow to a degree, but you know as well as I do that first impressions linger. A beautiful, even smile says a lot about the person wearing it. A radiant, healthy smile exudes confidence, self-worth, and says a lot about the person's overall state of health.
What’s a person to do if nature stuck you on the short end and gave you a less than perfect smile? The answer is simple: porcelain veneers. This absolutely wonderful invention from cosmetic dentistry can reshape your smile in no time flat. Not only are they used to correct natural imperfections, but they can help put back together a smile that was damaged due to accident or illness.
Porcelain veneers are tiny, thin sheets of very strong porcelain; about the thickness of a thin fingernail, that are literally bonded onto the surface of the teeth to create a brand new shape and look. Porcelain itself mimics tooth structure more naturally than other restorative materials, so the look is totally seamless. Porcelain is also extremely durable, so veneers can last 20 or more years. Remember, cosmetic dentists are also artists and can manipulate color and shape to recreate the natural, normal look of any tooth.
The process of remaking your new smile using porcelain veneers is really very simple and straightforward. First, a thin layer of tooth enamel is removed so as to make space needed for the veneer placement. Then an impression of your teeth is made and dental technicians will hand-craft your specialized smile. It is absolutely critical to keep your gums as healthy as possible at this time. If they are red and swollen, they tend to bleed during the bonding process, which contaminates and weakens the bond. After the preparation phase, your teeth will feel different; usually a bit “rough” opposed to the normal smooth glossy feel when you run your tongue over them.
During your second appointment, your cosmetic dentist will make sure your new porcelain veneers fit and look just right. This time is very important to your future looks, so if you have any concerns about the way the fittings look, this is the time to bring it up so changes can be made. This is also the time your heart starts pumping because you get to “try on” your new smile.
Your final appointment is when the bonding process takes place. This is a complex process that must be done to exact specifications, thus this appointment may take a bit longer that the previous two. Remember, your smile is a medical work to which strict dedication and minute attention must be paid. When you leave the cosmetic dentist office with your new smile, don’t be surprised if the receptionist you’ve come to know and rely on doesn’t recognize you at first. If that’s the case, just smile!
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Popular cosmetic dentistry procedures such as porcelain dental veneers can help enhance your smile. Speak with an experienced cosmetic dentist to learn more.