Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of durable, tooth shaped porcelain used to recreate the natural look of teeth to improve or enhance your smile.

Reasons for Porcelain Veneers

• Teeth that are severly discolored or stained
• Teeth that are worn down
• Teeth that are chipped or broken
• Teeth that are too small or large
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped
• Teeth with gaps between them

Procedures for Getting Porcelain Veneers

Getting veneers usually requires three visits to the dentist - one for consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. A local anesthesia may or may not be required during the process though.

To apply a veneer, a very small amount of the original tooth enamel must be removed, usually less than a millimeter. This is essential as it creates room for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth and to accurately restore natural tooth function while creating an even better appearance than the original tooth.

The bond between original tooth and porcelain veneer is critical as it not only provides aesthetic perfection, but it also corrects veneer function. A special cement is placed between the original tooth and the veneer and then hardened using a special light beam.

The final steps involve removing the excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary. A follow-up visit may also be advised to examine the veneer's placement.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the fastest way to get a whiter, brighter smile as it involves the process of applying bleach solutions to the teeth to lighten discoloration of enamel (the outermost tooth covering) and dentin (the tooth material under the enamel).

What Causes Teeth Staining and Discoloration?

There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as tobacco, and foods containing tannins such as red wine, coffee, tea, carrots, oranges, etc. During the formation of teeth, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration as well as tooth decay.

What Teeth Whitening Options Are Available?

There are several ways to whiten your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatment and the do-it-yourself approach, with over the counter products.
In-Office Whitening - this is done in a dental office and performed by your dentist. This is also the preferred whitening method because even though stronger agents are applied, the rest of the mouth, including the gums, is protected from these materials. The best whitening systems feature a buffer in the gel that protects the tooth enamel from damage, are extremely effective, and can transform teeth in a single visit as it can literally lighten your teeth up to 10 shades in an hour.
Over-the-Counter or Home Whitening - these are the commercially available teeth whitening systems that can be purchased without your dentist’s supervision. They include whitening strips, paint-on tooth gel, mouth trays with gel, whitening toothpaste, and whitening gum. These products are inexpensive and are safe to use except for those who have oral concerns who might need their dentist’s approval first before using them.