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12791 Newport Ave. Suite 100 Tustin, CA 92780
Porcelain Veneers: A Completely New Smile In A Matter of Weeks
Designed specifically for cosmetic cases, porcelain veneers can provide an immediate solution to a wide variety of cosmetic issues, such as cracks, chips, stains or discoloration, and aesthetic flaws. With dental veneers, you can experience a new level of confidence with a brilliant smile in a fraction of the time it takes with other dental procedures.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of ceramic glass that are expertly molded to fit each individual tooth and fix any cosmetic imperfections in your smile. Each veneer can be customized by size, shape, texture, and color to enhance your unique smile, making them one of the most versatile types of treatment available. The most common reasons patients choose veneers are to hide cracks, gaps, chips, stains, and misaligned teeth.
Why Choose Porcelain?
We recommend porcelain because it is very strong and is designed to withstand the natural forces of biting and chewing. Second, porcelain blends in seamlessly with your other teeth, resulting in a natural look. When done properly, it’s nearly impossible to tell which tooth is a veneer and which one is not!
Material Comparison
Porcelain veneers are crafted from high-quality dental porcelain laminates. This tooth-colored material mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, ensuring a lifelike appearance. Unlike dental resin materials often used in cosmetic dentistry, porcelain is superior at resisting stains, maintaining its color and shine over time. This makes porcelain an excellent choice for those seeking long-lasting, aesthetic results that blend naturally with their existing teeth.
By understanding the materials and their benefits, you can make an informed decision about enhancing your smile with veneers.
What Is The Process of Dental Veneers?
The first step in placing porcelain veneers is a private consultation with Dr. Kash in his office here in Tustin, CA. This provides the opportunity to properly evaluate the current condition of your teeth and determine if porcelain veneers will be a good fit for you. During your visit, you will get to see a digital mockup of your new smile so that you can get a better idea of the final result after treatment, allowing you to make a more informed decision on treatment moving forward. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you have about the process, the timeline, or the cost.
Preparing for Your New Veneers
Once you’ve decided to move forward, the next appointment involves preparing your teeth for the veneers. During this visit, Dr. Ahmed will carefully remove a portion of your enamel. This step is crucial to ensure that the veneers fit perfectly and look natural. You may receive a local anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable, although it’s not always necessary.
- Enamel Removal: This step is essential as it allows the veneers to bond securely to your teeth.
- Anesthetic Consideration: Depending on your comfort level, a local anesthetic may be used.
It’s important to note that because a part of your enamel is removed, porcelain veneers are a permanent enhancement to your smile. This preparation sets the stage for a durable and aesthetically pleasing result, ensuring your new smile is both beautiful and long-lasting.
During this initial consultation, Dr. Kash will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth. Pictures and x-rays might be taken to ensure that veneers are an ideal solution for you. This step ensures both you and Dr. Ahmed have a clear understanding of your treatment goals and outcomes.
If you decide to continue with treatment, the next step is to create a digital impression of your teeth and send it to our master cosmetic ceramist, who carefully crafts each veneer according to the details and specifications sent from our office. In the meantime, temporary veneers will be placed on your teeth to provide protection while your custom veneers are being created. These temporary veneers ensure your smile remains presentable during the waiting period, which typically takes about two weeks.
Your second appointment is where the magic happens. Before that, your dental impressions are sent to a specialized dental lab, which takes about two weeks to craft your custom veneers. This ensures that every detail is tailored to fit you perfectly.
Once your personalized veneers are ready, they will be bonded to the front surface of your teeth during this appointment. Any fine-tuning and refinements will be performed after placement to make absolutely sure that your new veneers look and feel amazing.
In just two appointments, you will leave with a brilliant new smile that will sparkle for years to come with regular maintenance!
Dr. Ahmed may recommend a follow-up visit to ensure that your gums and teeth are responding well to the new veneers, providing peace of mind and a flawless finish.
How Are Veneers Bonded to the Teeth During the Final Appointment?
When you reach the final stage of getting veneers, this appointment is all about ensuring a perfect bond between the veneers and your teeth. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Temporary Placement and Adjustment
Initially, the veneers are temporarily placed on your teeth. This step is essential to check the color and fit, ensuring that they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. At times, the veneers may need slight trimming or adjustments. - Preparation for Bonding
Once the appearance is satisfactory, each tooth is meticulously prepared. This involves cleaning and polishing, followed by etching. The etching process creates a slightly rough surface on the tooth, which is crucial for a strong, lasting bond with the veneer. - Selecting the Cement Color
Choosing the right cement shade is vital for achieving a natural look. The optimal color ensures the veneers not only stick well but also match your existing teeth perfectly. - Bonding Process
After the perfect color is chosen, the bonding agent is applied to the etched surface of the tooth. The veneers are then carefully placed over the teeth. Once properly aligned, a special light or laser is used to cure the cement, making the bond permanent. - Final Adjustments and Evaluation
Any excess cement is removed once the bond is set. Finally, your bite is evaluated to ensure comfort and proper fit. Your dentist might suggest a follow-up appointment to check the health of your gums and the stability of the veneers, ensuring everything is as it should be.
This detailed procedure guarantees that your new veneers are securely bonded, providing you with a beautiful, lasting smile.
Are Veneers Right For Me?
It’s important to note that not all people are good candidates for porcelain veneers. A good candidate will have relatively healthy teeth and gums because we need a good foundation to build on otherwise the veneers won’t last as long. Veneers help restore the tooth, not replace it. Thus, it’s important to have a solid structure on which to place veneers.
Porcelain veneers are ideal for those dealing with gaps, cracks, or discoloration in their teeth, and they want to resolve those issues with a non-invasive approach. Because veneers do not require major dental work, you can achieve fantastic results in an average of two appointments.
What Issues Can Veneers Correct?
There are two primary types of issues that porcelain veneers correct: physical and cosmetic. Physical issues may include:
- Unsightly gaps between teeth
- Worn out or weak teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracks
- Misalignments
- Abnormally shaped teeth
Cosmetic issues may include:
- Stained or discolored teeth
- Disproportionate gums (ie. gummy smile)
- Decayed enamel
Veneers provide the chance to get rid of multiple problems at once without years of treatment or uncomfortable orthodontic work.
What is the Cost of Veneers?
There are a number of factors that affect the price of porcelain veneers, including the number of teeth that need to be corrected and the complexity of the treatment. In general, each veneer can cost around $1500 to $2,000, which includes everything from the initial consultation, smile design, digital impressions, temporaries, and custom-crafted veneer. To make sure that you know the total investment, we always discuss all the costs before starting any treatment. In addition, we offer financing options to create a payment plan that works for you.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Our goal is to help your brand new veneers to last as long as possible. That’s why we use the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, enabling your porcelain veneers to last 15 years, 20 years, or longer. The best way to extend the life and look of your veneers is through proper care and regular maintenance. Maintaining your 6-month check-ups and proper oral hygiene will help you preserve your veneers for many years to come!
Immediate Follow-Up Care
Once your veneers are placed, any excess dental cement will be carefully removed. This step is crucial to ensure both comfort and a natural fit. We’ll also evaluate your bite to make sure everything feels right and functions properly.
Future Appointments
You may be asked to return for a follow-up appointment. This allows us to check your gums and teeth, ensuring that the veneers are perfectly placed and that your oral health remains optimal.
By combining these immediate and long-term care steps, you can enjoy the beauty and durability of your veneers for decades.
What Are The Pros And Cons of Porcelain Veneers?
Visit us at Allegra Dental to see if CEREC Smiles is right for you. Schedule your appointment today and walk out with a renewed smile in just one visit. Embrace the future of dentistry with us and let us help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
- Addresses a wide variety of cosmetic issues: stains, discoloration, gaps, misalignment, cracks, chips, gummy smiles, and enamel erosion
- Seamless, natural-looking results due to the unique characteristics of porcelain and the customization of each veneer (size, shape, color, and texture)
- Quick treatment process that only takes an average of 2 appointments. This means that you can completely transform your smile in a matter of weeks
- Minimally invasive procedure where only a small amount of the tooth is shaped to make room for the veneers
- Strength and durability thanks to the unique construction of porcelain veneers
- Veneers are permanent. To securely place veneers there is a thin layer of enamel that must be removed to make room for the veneer. This process is irreversible so if you are simply looking for a temporary solution, veneers might not be the best solution
- Veneers are not indestructible and can still be damaged. Therefore we recommend that you avoid biting down on hard food (eg. ice cubes) or using your teeth as a bottle opener (please don’t!) to avoid the possibility of damaging your veneers. For those that experience teeth grinding or bruxism, you will need to use a mouth guard for protection after receiving veneers
Free Veneer Treatment Plan
Naturally, you are going to have questions. That’s one of the reasons we provide a Free Veneer Treatment Plan so that you have a chance to get all of your questions answered in order to make an informed decision moving forward. We’ll review the entire process of porcelain veneers, from preparation to final placement, along with the expected timeline, total investment, and how to care for your porcelain veneers.
In addition, you’ll receive a digital mockup of your new smile so that you can get a better idea of the final result after treatment.
Schedule Your Free Veneer Treatment Plan
If you are interested in porcelain veneers, then call our office to schedule your Free Veneer Treatment Plan. No cost, no obligation, and no pressure. This is just a chance for you to better understand your options when it comes to elevating your smile.
Call today to find a time that works for you.