When you think of all the beautiful objects that can be created using porcelain – vases, decorative items and fine china, to name just a few – it’s not surprising that it can also be used to create beautiful teeth. That’s because it’s the material that is closest in appearance to your natural teeth.
If you have discolored, worn, misaligned or damaged teeth, porcelain veneers can be the perfect solution. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that cover your teeth, and cover virtually any type of flaw. If you don’t tell anyone that you’ve had work done, no one will suspect that they’re not looking at your own beautiful teeth!
The Procedure
Your teeth need to be prepared to receive porcelain veneers. This involves scraping off a bit of the tooth enamel to ensure good adhesion. This is done under general anesthesia, so it’s painless. Then, Dr. Katechis will take impressions of your teeth using a special compound. These impressions are then sent to a lab that will make your veneers.
Before your veneers are attached, Dr. Katechis will put them on your teeth to make sure of a proper fit. Then, he’ll use a special cement to attach them, and cure them with a special light. Finally, he’ll remove any excess cement, and do a final inspection to make sure that the color is perfect. A few minor adjustments to ensure that your bite is as it should be, and you’re ready to go with your beautiful new smile!
The Benefits
We hesitate to say that porcelain veneers will look like your natural teeth. The fact is, they’ll look the way you always dreamed of having your teeth look. Additionally, they’ll be stain resistant and strong, and as long as you brush, floss, and have regular cleanings, they’ll last for a very long time.
It’s all up to you now – tell your friends, family and co-workers that you’ve had porcelain veneers installed, or don’t. Just let them think you’re looking fabulous for reasons they can’t quite identify if that’s what you prefer. And let people who meet you for the first time think that you were born with a dazzling smile!
Disadvantages
With any type of procedure, there is always potential for disadvantages. Since some of your tooth enamel has to be scraped away in order to install the veneers, you may find that to begin with your teeth are somewhat sensitive to heat and cold. You can ease the discomfort by using a specially formulated toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Also keep in mind that your teeth can still decay, and veneers won’t stop the process. Of course, even if you hadn’t had porcelain veneers installed, your teeth could decay, so that’s really something of a non-issue.
The benefits of veneers are many, and the disadvantages are few. So if you have a less than satisfactory smile, porcelain veneers could be just what you need in order to have a natural-looking appearance that will last for many years. There are many pros and cons of porcelain veneers, ask your dentist if they are right for you.
Contact Us
We can give you a better smile with porcelain veneers. If you feel you are a good candidate, call Port Washington Dental Care today at 566-944-5300 to book a consultation, or use our Contact page. If you have any questions about porcelain veneers, visit our facts and FAQs pages to find out if they have already been answered,