The Art & Science of Porcelain Veneers

We ask all of our adult new patients, “If you could change anything about your smile, what would it be?” About 99 percent of the patients say they’d like whiter teeth. While tooth whitening will brighten your smile, it does nothing to correct crowding, gaps, and fractured or chipped teeth. In fact, we often refer to porcelain veneers as “Instant Orthodontics” for those who do not wish to have braces due to the time it takes or the inconveniences. In order to give you the straightest, most beautiful, natural-looking smile, porcelain veneers are the answer.

Porcelain veneers are thin laminates of porcelain which are bonded to your individual teeth. While whitening oftentimes gives great results, porcelain veneers can be customized to give you the smile of your dreams. In fact, we expect to routinely exceed the expectations of our patients with porcelain veneers. We not only customize the size and shape of your teeth, but we can easily customize the shade and do it predictably.

In order to realize the smile of your dreams, you must go to a dentist who excels in cosmetic dentistry of this nature. Meticulous measurements, photographs and records must be used to evaluate your smile and the condition of your entire mouth. Every porcelain veneer case we perform is mounted on an articulator (develops the proper orientation of upper and lower jaws). We “dry-run” the case with “wax-ups.” These are wax models of your planned smile design. You pick certain characteristics of teeth from a “Smile Guide,” and we help customize that design to fit your distinct characteristics. We discuss everything openly prior to doing the case. Seeing the wax-ups helps you to envision your smile as a whole and in its relation to your other teeth.

Digital computer imagery is used to take your desired smile and see what it looks like on you. Before and after simulations can be shown prior to ever doing the procedure. By communicating and properly planning each step, the process runs smoothly without any surprises. After proper planning, the process usually takes two visits. At the first visit your teeth are prepared to perfection and temporaries are made. These temporaries are oriented and shaped like your final restorations. This is often the first time the patient has ever seen themselves with beautiful teeth (yes, the temporaries are beautiful). It can be a very emotional moment. Imagine looking into the mirror and seeing 25 years of deterioration magically gone in a single visit! At the second visit, the veneers are bonded to the teeth. You can now smile confidently and comfortably.

As we said earlier, in order to attain these spectacular results, you need to go to a dentist who excels in cosmetic dentistry. Not every dentist who claims to be a cosmetic and/or aesthetic dentist has dedicated himself or herself to truly studying the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. We have undergone advanced hands-on training in order to plan all of the elements and changes necessary to design the shape, size, color and alignment of your smile, your bite, and the associated gum tissue. Producing the perfect smile is truly an art. Each smile and the components that produce that smile are unique and require great attention to detail.

Consider that a beautiful smile can create the appearance of looking healthier, younger and successful, while inwardly increasing your confidence and self-esteem. Studies show that your smile is the first thing that most people notice. A beautiful new smile often refreshes an individual’s approach to life by creating immediate changes in the person’s attitude. This, in turn, can change the reception given to them by others.