By Dr. Caroline Thomas, Lexington, SC
“Porcelain Veneers” tend to be buzz words among movie stars and the general population, alike. Dental veneers are custom made to patients’ specifications and can drastically improve the wow-factor of a smile! I recently ran into a friend of mine with very nice, natural teeth and she said, “I need to get you to do porcelain veneers for me!” - - But does she really? Keep reading to learn more about this popular dental procedure...
* Before and after veneer case by Palmetto Dental Associates (Dr. Franklin Shull) and CMR Dental Lab; click on each image to see it in its entirety.
Porcelain veneers can achieve beautiful, nearly flawless teeth; however, veneers are not necessary for everyone. Sometimes significant cosmetic improvements can be achieved by small tweaks of tooth shape or color. If you have nice enamel with minimal fillings, then teeth whitening, minor orthodontics, and edge shaping/contouring can go a long way.
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shell coverings that go on the front surface of your teeth. Even though they are very thin, because of the strength gained when bonding them, veneers are not fragile and predictably last for many years with proper oral hygiene. Protecting them by wearing a bite guard appliance is also important.
Porcelain veneers are now made from a strong, highly esthetic glass ceramic. This is similar to the material used years ago, but looks much more natural. Veneers have no metal substructure so you don’t have to worry about getting the dreaded “gray line” at your gumline. Dental veneers do not stain or dull, and seamlessly cover gaps, stains, cracks and chips.
Porcelain veneers do not look like "chiclets;" If done properly, they look just like ideal natural teeth. Achieving beautiful veneers is a direct correlation to having a properly trained dentist and top-notch lab technician working together. Just like any piece of art, dental veneers are only as good as the hands of those making them. At Palmetto Dental Associates, we work exclusively with CMR, one of the top dental labs in the country, to produce gorgeous, lasting restorations: http://teamaesthetic.com/
There are ways to see what you will look like with veneers prior to undergoing the procedure. Your dentist will begin with a comprehensive exam and smile analysis to determine what steps are necessary to achieve the smile you desire. A digital "mock-up" can be designed, producing a before and after visual of your teeth with veneers. In addition, a material called PMMA can be milled into a custom shim that will allow you to “try on” veneers to see if you like the final result.
If you are interested in improving the esthetics of your smile, or just have more questions on the topic, give us a call at 803-808-0888 to schedule a consult with one of our four wonderful cosmetic dentists.
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