Definitive guide to Cosmetic Dentistry
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Porcelain Veneers

Perfect your smile with Cosmetic DentistryThrough various cosmetic dentistry procedures such as porcelain veneers, people can help you show off a bright and wonderful smile. What are Porcelain Veneers? A porcelain laminate veneer is a thin porcelain shell bonded to the tooth to correct imperfections in shape, color, size, and position of teeth. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure will help you, we recommend that you consult a cosmetic dentist with experience in applying porcelain veneers.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers applied over your natural teeth can easily brighten your smile and your self-esteem. The thin shell of porcelain fits over damaged, discolored, or misshaped teeth. Porcelain is an extremely durable material with a color, translucence and texture that is similar to tooth enamel. It is not susceptible to decay and resists staining while maintaining a natural appearance. Veneers can effectively close diastemas (gaps between teeth), lengthen and reshape teeth, repair chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth, and cover stains and discolorations.

Porcelain Veneers Photos

"Porcelain veneers can brighten your smile & self-esteem"

Porcelain Veneering

Porcelain veneers usually require at least two appointments to be completed. During the first appointment, your teeth will be roughened and shaped to remove part of the outer tooth enamel. This provides a better surface for bonding and allows room for the placement of the thin porcelain shell. After shaping, your cosmetic dentist will take impressions of your teeth, which will be used to create veneers that fit your mouth precisely.

At your next appointment, your dentist will test your veneers to make sure that they fit properly and that they are the correct size and color. At this time, you and your cosmetic dentist will work together to make sure that you are satisfied with the result. If needed, more shaping or trimming of the veneers can be done before the final fitting.

Before your veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth with a composite resin cement, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, since clean teeth and healthy gums are necessary in order for bonding to be successful. Once your veneers are permanently placed, they will feel like a natural part of your teeth, and you can use them just as you would your regular teeth.

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist for your Porcelain Veneers

It is very important that you select a dentist adequately trained and experienced in this procedure. We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a cosmetic dentist. See our Locate a Cosmetic Dentist feature to find a doctor in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed dentists. Also read How to Select a Cosmetic Dentist for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right cosmetic dentist for all your cosmetic dentistry needs.

Detailed information on porcelain veneers
Porcelain Veneers Photo Gallery
Articles:
The Veneer and it's Role in Cosmetic Dentistry
"The veneering technique could easily be viewed as the beginning of modern cosmetic dentistry. It dates back to the early 1980's, when dental manufacturers introduced ready made acrylic forms that were bonded to the teeth with composite."
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Message Forum:
Cosmetic Dentistry
The Cosmetic Dentistry message forum has a message thread dedicated to Porcelain Veneers. Click here to see what our community is discussing or click here to learn more about what cosmetic dentists can offer you.
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