PORCELAIN VENEERS

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. Veneers are the ultimate in cosmetic dentistry, and are in many cases an ideal choice for improving your smile. Veneers have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. Dr. Erickson is an expert at correcting cosmetic flaws through the use of veneers. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped, or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these maladies in many situations. Veneers can help you achieve a beautiful smile quickly and simply. 

Will They Look Like Normal Teeth?

Your dentist will ensure that when bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. We can also utilize veneers to alter the shade and color of your teeth. 

How Durable Are Porcelain Veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade. Your dentist will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.
This procedure will require three appointments:

• Diagnosis and treatment planning
• Preparation
• Bonding

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Your dentist will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile. 

Preparation

Although the porcelain veneer can be very thin, in some cases the teeth need more preparation. The amount of preparation depends upon the desired end result (thus, the importance of the diagnosis and planning session). Approximately one half of a millimeter of tooth is removed; however, as stated, this amount depends upon the desired result. Next, a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. In most cases, temporary veneer(s) will be placed at this time. The permanent veneer should be ready in approximately two weeks. 

Bonding

At the time of your third appointment, your dentist will first place the veneer on your teeth to check the it and color. At this point, the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is determined and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleaned with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. A special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to harden the cement. This type of cement creates a very strong restoration. 

Veneer Tutorial