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Make Me
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Porcelain Veneers
 Porcelain veneers, also called laminates, are ultra-thin shells
of ceramic, which are bonded to the front of
teeth. This virtually painless procedure requires little or no anesthesia,
and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front
teeth. Becoming increasingly popular in the past 12 years, tens of
thousands of porcelain veneers have been 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
an esthetically pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other
restorative options.
Veneers can work as an alternative to minor
orthodontics, but are not recommended in cases of severe crowding or
misalignment of teeth or malocclusions. Customarily, veneers are
preferable to full crowns when there is adequate remaining tooth structure
to support the restoration. Veneers require less reduction of healthy
tooth structure than full crowns, without compromising the periodontal or
gingival health. It is a blend of art and science that enables a skilled
practitioner to achieve a sensational effect.
Using Porcelain
Veneers, we can:
- Close Spaces between the teeth
(diastemas)
- Rebuild broken or chipped teeth
- Replace unsightly, stained or washed out fillings
- Lighten discolored teeth
- Reshape crooked teeth
- Whiten dark yellow or stained teeth
 Veneers are very thin and are bonded on the front of your
anterior teeth. They have an advantage over bonding alone because the
porcelain will not stain or discolor over time. These veneers are about
0.3mm to 0.5mm in thickness but are very strong once bonded to your teeth.
They have a "life like" appearance with the strength, beauty, and
durability only porcelain restorations can afford. Veneers also have the
advantage of not requiring the same degree of grinding of tooth structure
that caps or crowns do, yet, they can accomplish a lifelike esthetic
result.
Some facts you might want to know about Porcelain Veneers:
- Since they require approximately .5mm of tooth reduction, porcelain
veneers are NOT considered a reversible form of treatment.
- Occasionally the preparation of a Porcelain Laminate Veneer does not
require the use of a local anesthetic. However, for those patients that
are particularly sensitive or anxious, a local anesthetic is advisable.
- The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a Porcelain
Laminate Veneer is approximately ten working days.
- Due to the minimal amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not
necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. Should a
temporary be needed, they can, in most circumstances, be made at the
time of treatment.
- Between your preparation visit and the insertion visit, you can
expect some sensitivity to hot and cold. This is normal and is due to
the removal of a small portion of the enamel covering of the tooth. This
sensitivity should disappear after the placement of your Porcelain
Laminate Veneer.
Your second visit, the insertion of your
laminate, can be accomplished, once again , with or without local
anesthetic. This visit is usually longer in length. The laminates are
placed with a light sensitive resin which is hardened by using a special
light.
Once placed your laminates are very strong and will resist
most of the forces placed upon them by a normal diet. Porcelain has great
crushing strength but poor tensile strength. Therefore, you should avoid
anything that will tend to twist the laminate. Opening pistachio nuts with
your teeth, chewing on bones or jelly apples is probably not a good idea.
As with most things, common sense should prevail.
Maintenance of Your New Porcelain
Veneers
The maintenance of your Porcelain Laminate Veneer is
relatively simple. A few suggestions, however, are in order:
- Please brush and floss as you normally would to prevent oral hygiene
problems. Do not be afraid that you will damage your laminates by either
flossing or brushing. Any non-abrasive tooth paste is acceptable. A good
home care regimen will insure the esthetic success of your laminate
restorations for years to come.
- Some sensitivity to hot and cold may be experienced after the
placement of your veneers. This relates to the amount of enamel left on
your tooth after preparation, the proximity of the nerve as well as
several other factors. Some sensitivity is absolutely normal and usually
dissipates after one-two weeks. If this sensitivity should remain or
concern you at all, please call Dr. Chetan Bhole (unless someone else did
yours).
- As mentioned before, a normal diet should pose no problem at all.
Please avoid anything that will tend to bend or twist the laminates.
- .If you are known to be a bruxer or
clencher, please let your Dr. Chetan Bhole know. He can fabricate a soft nite guard for you to wear to
minimize the stresses placed upon your teeth while you sleep.
We
hope that your Porcelain Laminate Veneers have fulfilled all of your
esthetic goals. With proper home care and scheduled evaluation visits,
they can provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.
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