
Feb
Many people choose veneers to cover severely discolored, chipped, worn down, or misshapen teeth, or to cover gaps between teeth. Veneers are made of thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are perfectly fitted over your natural teeth, giving a beautiful aesthetic look to your smile. Given that they arepermanent, its important you understand what they are. We recommend that you consult with us here at Smile Studios, and discuss your cosmetic options. There are a variety of dental restoration treatments that we can discuss, and determine which is the right choice for you.
Veneers are a thin piece of porcelain that are custom created to match the contour of your natural teeth. They are placed permanently (by bonding) on one’sown discolored or damaged teeth to create a natural looking, aesthetically pleasing smile.
The typical process of placing veneers usually takes two separate clinic appointments. First, Dr. Tina will consult with you and evaluate your x-rays and examine your teeth. You will be educated on the veneer process and determine whether you are a candidate, and it is the right next step for your smile. Dr Tina will review study models of your teeth with you, and discuss your preferences regarding the shape, size, and shade of your teeth with you. A small amount of enamel from the tooth is removed in order to provide room to place the veneer. Then, an impression is taken for a high quality local Seattle laboratory to create the perfect fitted veneer. A temporary veneer is placed on the tooth while we wait for the lab to create your permanent veneers. After the permanent veneer is ready, the temporary veneer is removed and the tooth is cleaned and prepped for a permanent veneer. The permanent veneer is placed with a cement after an adhesive is applied to the tooth. Then, light is used to cure the veneer into place. Dr. Tina then removes any excess material, and polishes the margins of the veneer for the optimal aesthetic appearance.
Veneers are an excellent cosmetic permanent solution to address severely discolored teeth or damaged teeth. They can increase your confidence and give you a camera-ready smile in a short time. Veneers are stain resistant, so it is imperative you maintain good oral habits (brushing and flossing every day, and coming in twice a year for your cleaning and exam). Veneers should be taken care of just like your natural teeth with brushing twice a day and flossing. If good hygiene is practiced, the veneers may last 15 or more years.
In order to be a candidate for veneers, you need to have healthy gums and teeth. An example of an ideal candidate would be someone with severely stained teeth that is not responding to teeth whiteners. Additionally, it is ideal for those patients that want to improve the contour of their teeth (example, they may have a chipped or cracked tooth, or mildly crooked tooth). During your consultation, Dr. Tina will make sure you have enough enamel to place a veneer. Additionally, she will ensure that no other restorative treatments are necessary to prevent the tooth’s ability to act as a good foundation for the veneers (i.e. prohibitive gum disease or cavities). It is important to evaluate for teeth grinding as well during the initial consultation. Teeth grinding can place strain on the porcelain of the veneers, and enough strain could cause it to crack. Similarly, Dr. Tina will make sure you do not have misaligned teeth or bite, both of which could also cause strain on a veneer.
We encourage you to make an appointment for a free consultation to see if veneers are the right fit for what you are looking for. Please call us at (425) 584-3242, or click below to book online.