Alafaya Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
Porcelain Veneers-Laminates
Are you proud of your smile? Do you look at magazine models and television stars wishing you had the same confident grin they have?
If your front teeth are discolored and stained, chipped, cracked, slightly misaligned, or have metal fillings, you may want to consider veneers.
To see what your smile would look like with veneers, we recommend you review our extensive before and after gallery. We also offer digital imaging, a computer program that will create an image of you with your new veneers.
These tools can help you decide if veneers would be a good choice for your smile.
Because we custom craft each patient’s veneers, you can choose the shape, color, and style that best compliments your appearance and the image you want to achieve.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that are custom crafted under magnification in a dental laboratory. They are then bonded directly to the front surface of the teeth to create a perfectly shaped, absolutely gorgeous smile.
While your new veneers are being fabricated you will wear a natural looking temporary that will resemble your projected result.
Typically veneers are completed in 2 visits over 3 weeks.
Both the preparation and cementation appointments will require mild numbing and there is no downtime.
Veneers can correct many aesthetic dental problems, including:
- Stains or Discoloration
- Chips and Cracks
- Misalignment or Crookedness
- Sharp, Fang-like Appearance
- Spaces Between Teeth
- Other Imperfections
How durable are porcelain veneers?
Veneers, also called laminates, are long lasting and stain resistant. Once bonded into place a veneer will perform like a natural tooth. Under normal chewing activity it is unlikely that a veneer would come off. Patients who have veneers are advised not to use their teeth as “tools “ and to be slightly more cautious when biting directly into something such as an apple or an ear of corn. Sporting activities or a direct impact that would damage a natural tooth will affect a veneer in a similar fashion. Most patients that have porcelain veneers wear a small bite guard while they sleep to protect the teeth from unconscious clenching or grinding.
How long will my veneers last?
The average life of a veneer can be 10-20+ years. Many factors can affect the overall lifespan. The restoration is adhered to your natural tooth. If neglected your tooth can develop problems and compromise the veneer.
Diet, age, genetics, poor oral hygiene, lack of regular dental visits, and noncompliance with prescribed bite guard are some of the factors that could affect how long your veneers will last.
Can any dentist do a veneer?
Any dentist can call him or herself a cosmetic dentist. Dentists receive limited exposure and opportunity to cosmetics in dental school. It is up to the individual to seek out advanced hands on training and continue to re educate with regular frequency.
Preparing and cementing veneers requires precision, expertise, and experience on the part of the dentist. Without advanced training and experience the overall result will most certainly be less aesthetic and could have a shorter lifespan.
This photo is one of Dr. Michaelson’s patients. It show the conservative nature of an actual veneer preporation. While the procedure is not reversible, this an accurate representation of todays techniques.
Will they look like real teeth?
Making your teeth look natural is a joint effort between an excellent clinical dentist and an exceptional dental laboratory. Dr. Michaelson has a 14 year relationship with a ceramicist at a renowned dental laboratory and extensive advanced training in the field of cosmetic bonded dentistry. Restorations created by Dr. Michaelson will blend in seamlessly with your natural dentition and will absolutely look real.
The materials and training available today allow us to provide beautiful, strong, long lasting restorations.
Care of your new veneers
Dental care for veneers is not much different from regular dental care. Brush and floss your new smile daily. Always use a soft toothbrush, apply light pressure, and be thorough. Refrain from using smoker’s toothpaste, baking soda toothpaste, and whitening toothpaste, as they are all too abrasive. Visit us on the recommended recall schedule we specifically design based on your needs.
Most veneer patients see us every 4 months for cleaning and yearly for exams and x-rays. In our office each team member is aware of the protocol for cosmetic bonded restorations. If you move away from our practice and have to be treated elsewhere advise your new dental team of your restorations. Be sure to request the least abrasive polishing paste and advise not to use the ultrasonic cleaner on the veneers. If you have any questions about caring for your veneers don’t hesitate to call.
