If you have healthy teeth that do not look as attractive as you would like them to be, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are tiny shields that affix to the front of your natural teeth to provide the most thorough cosmetic upgrade possible. You can choose to have veneers cover one problem tooth, a few problem teeth or a whole row of teeth to achieve your desired results.
Specializing in esthetic dentistry, Dr. Karen Tiwana has over two decades of experience helping patients to makeover their mouths with porcelain veneers. Veneers are custom created to help you get the precise size, shape and color of teeth you have always wanted to show off every time you smile.
Problems That Veneers Can Address
Veneers are a smart cosmetic solution for several kinds of flaws, including:
- Teeth that are discolored or not as white as you wish them to be
- Teeth that are cracked or chipped
- Teeth that look too small in your mouth
- Misshapen or crooked teeth
- Teeth with irregular spacing (significant gaps)
What veneers cannot correct are health issues. Veneers are only intended to be used to make cosmetic improvements. Dr. Tiwana can help you to take care of any existing dental problems (such as cavities) before receiving veneers.
Porcelain Veneers Procedure
To begin, Dr. Tiwana numbs your mouth so that you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. She then delicately scrapes approximately half a millimeter’s worth of enamel off each tooth that is to be treated with a veneer. Removing this enamel creates just enough space for the veneer to fit comfortably in your mouth.
Next, she takes a mold of your teeth so that a laboratory can create a custom set of veneers that meet your specifications and fit perfectly. She applies temporary veneers to the teeth to keep your smile looking nice while the permanent veneers are being created.
A few weeks later, you can return to Chatham Dental Arts and confirm that your new set of veneers look the way you described. After receiving your approval, Dr. Tiwana permanently attaches the veneers to the teeth with dental cement. She does this step meticulously to ensure the alignment is right and your biting motion is unobstructed. The total time you spend in the dental chair ultimately depends on how many veneers you have chosen to get.
Caring for Your Veneers
If you are like most patients, you can enjoy your porcelain veneers for about 10 to 20 years before you need replacements. The better you take care of them, the longer they are likely to survive.
Keep in mind that while veneers cover the front of your teeth, they do not protect them from cavities or plaque. You must continue to brush and floss your teeth as all people should to maintain the health of your teeth.
Veneers do not stain as easily as natural teeth, though they can still lose their whiteness with time through consumption of foods and beverages like coffee, cola and red wine that are known to stain. It is also a good idea to avoid chewing on hard objects like pens or your nails since that habit may accidentally crack a veneer.
Consult with Dr. Tiwana
To learn more about porcelain veneers can help you achieve the smile you have always dreamed of, schedule a consultation with Dr. Tiwana. Call the friendly team at Chatham Dental Arts at (919) 542-4911.