I Want Veneers for My Teeth - Now What?

    OAKTON, VA, February 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Your teeth aren't quite what you want them to be. Your smile is discolored, or you have chips or cracks in your teeth, or small misalignments that make you uncomfortable. After research and consideration, you've decided to pursue having porcelain veneers placed to correct these defects so you can smile without self-consciousness. So what comes next?

Choosing a Dentist

The application of porcelain veneers requires skills beyond those possessed by the average dentist. An experienced cosmetic dentist will have the expertise and training needed to ensure an excellent result from this procedure.

Why do veneers require particular expertise from your dentist? Cosmetic dentistry is as much an art form as it is a science, and a good cosmetic dentist will have experience in making porcelain veneers and other forms of dental bonding look as natural as they can be.

Things to look for in a cosmetic dentist include:

• Additional training in cosmetic dentistry, beyond the basic dental degree
• Extensive experience in cosmetic dentistry
• A before and after gallery of previous work
• Patient testimonials

How Veneers are Applied

The application of porcelain veneers is relatively simple, but requires some preparation. Most cosmetic dentists will require up to three visits to complete the process. A typical process goes something like this-

First Visit
In the first visit, your dentist will talk to you about your teeth, porcelain veneers, and what kind of results you expect to get from having veneers applied. Some defects in the teeth, including chips, cracks, discoloration, and minor misalignment, can be easily corrected with veneers. Others, however, might require a different treatment. Your dentist will consult with you about exactly what you need, and recommend treatments that will help you achieve the results you desire.

Second Visit
On the second visit, your teeth will be prepared to accept the veneers. Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, but the dentist still must make room for them. This is accomplished by removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the teeth where the veneers are to be placed. Because the layer removed is so thin, this procedure is likely to be painless, but can be done under local anesthetic if you so choose.

After the teeth are prepared, the dentist will make a mold of your teeth. This mold will be sent to a special lab, where your veneers will be constructed. Veneers are custom-made to exactly fit your teeth for optimum results. When the mold is completed, the dentist will affix temporary veneers. If you've ever had a crown done, this is a similar sequence - the tooth is prepared, the final crown is made, and a temporary crown is placed to protect the tooth until the final crown is finished. Preparation for a veneer, however, takes very little alteration of the tooth.

Third Visit
After your custom-made veneers are complete, you'll have your third and final visit to the cosmetic dentist. During this visit, the temporary veneers are removed and replaced with your final veneers. The veneers are affixed with a special bonding agent that attaches them permanently to your teeth for a long-lasting, natural look. The bonding agent is hardened with a special light, much like that used to apply sealants or to harden porcelain fillings.

After your third visit, you can leave your cosmetic dentist's office with a brand new, beautiful smile.

Porcelain Veneer Care

After your veneers are placed, you might have questions about how to take care of them. In general, your new smile requires the same care that your old one did. Regular brushing and flossing will help prevent decay of the underlying tooth and will keep your gums healthy. As usual, you should visit your dentist every six months for regular care, routine examinations and X-rays. While porcelain veneers are resistant to staining, avoidance of common staining materials such as coffee and nicotine will help maintain their appearance in the long-term. With regular care, porcelain veneers can last ten years or more.

If you live in Northern Virginia, Dr. Michael Chung, DDS, at Softouch Dental Care, has all the expertise you need to help with your dental veneers. Please visit the website of Dr. Chung take your first step towards a new you.

Source: Softouch Dental Care
Website: http://softouchdentalcare.com

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