Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers in Cupertino

Porcelain veneers are very thin pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are custom made (for shape and color) by a professional dental laboratory. They are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile.

Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can quickly and esthetically repair chips and discolorations and mild rotations in two simple visits. They are a conservative alternative to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

While a porcelain veneer is considered “permanent”, as with most dental restorations, veneers may someday need replacement. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long-lasting smile.

Reasons for porcelain veneers:

Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
Crooked teeth or slightly rotated teeth.
Severely discolored or stained teeth.
Misshapen teeth.
Teeth that are too small or large.
Unwanted or uneven spaces.
Worn or chipped teeth.

What are the advantages of veneers?

In some cases, these is little or no need to prepare the tooth to place a veneer. This would be if the teeth had spaces or were chipped. As mentioned before, they are more conservative than full coverage crowns and are bonded to the tooth enamel using a strong adhesive that tightly holds it in place. Because they are thin, they pick up the translucency and color of the underlying teeth, making them very natural looking.

What does getting porcelain veneers involve?

Getting veneers usually requires two visits to complete the process, with minimal anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold or impression of the teeth is taken and a shade (color) will then be chosen by you and the dentist. This is then sent off to our highly-trained special laboratory technician to design and fabricate your veneer. Depending upon whether there was much tooth reduction necessary or not will determine if a temporary crown or veneer is needed.

On the second visit, which is often about two weeks later, the teeth will be cleaned and prepared with special liquids to achieve a durable bond. Bonding cement is then placed between the tooth and veneer and a special light beam is used to harden and set the bond.

What happens after a veneer is placed?

For the first 24 hours, you dentist will want you to eat soft foods and avoid anything that might stain the tooth. In some instances, the dentist may want to get you back to confirm the fit and “feel” of the new teeth.

You will receive care instructions for veneers. Proper brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will aid in prolonging the life of your new veneers.

What are some of the alternatives to doing veneers?

The traditional crown can be suggested and this is typically suggested when there isn’t enough tooth structure to support a one-sided restoration.

Composite veneers are another even more conservative option. These may have been done when strength isn’t required for chewing or cutting food. These can be accomplished in one day and a skilled dentist can match the colors and put in some shading and some

Another alternative is to simply do a traditional crown. This can be either all-porcelain crowns or porcelain fused to metal.

The final option is to do orthodontics to correct the bite and if necessary, use veneers only when a tooth has been moved and the orthodontist is unable to completely close a gap.

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At DeAnza Family Dentistry, Dr. Mitchell in Cupertino welcomes you to come in for a personalized consultation to see what would be best for you! Give us a call today at 408-255-9422!

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