Your smile is one of the very first things about you that people notice. When it is less than perfect, you might feel self-conscious, thinking that your teeth are all others can look at. This can lead you to start hiding your smile, which can also give the wrong impression. At Ford Dental Group in Huntington Beach, we understand your concerns and it is our desire to provide you with the best possible solution. One great option for fixing cosmetic, and even functional, imperfections, is porcelain veneers.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made “shells” of porcelain that are designed to be bonded to the front of your teeth, and act as a permanent veil to cover imperfections. This solution restores your smile to its former beauty while also restoring the function of your teeth.
Why Porcelain?
Veneers can be made out of porcelain or composite resin, but porcelain is the material of choice. This is because porcelain can be matched to perfectly blend into the rest of your natural teeth. It is also a stronger material, able to withstand normal biting forces, and lasts longer than resin, upwards of 20 years or longer.
What Can Veneers Fix?
Veneers can be used to fix a number of different cosmetic flaws:
- Minor cracks or chips.
- Misshapen or uneven teeth.
- Gaps between teeth.
- Irregularly worn teeth.
- Discoloration that cannot otherwise be fixed with whitening techniques (such as discoloration from trauma).
The Dental Veneer Process
Typically, following your consultation at our Huntington Beach CA dental office, the process for getting veneers requires two visits. During your first visit, your tooth will be prepared. This process entails trimming down some of your enamel to make room for the veneer to sit naturally. In order to do this, you will receive a local anesthetic. After removing the necessary amount of enamel, Dr. Ford will take impressions of your teeth, as well as use a color guide to find a color that best matches them, to be sent off to a lab for production. If necessary, we can provide you with a temporary veneer until your permanent one is ready, which can take up to two weeks.
On your second visit, your permanent veneer will be bonded to the prepared tooth. Before this is done, however, Dr. Ford will first place it over the tooth to check for fit and to also make sure that it blends seamlessly with the rest of your surrounding teeth.
If everything is as it should be, Dr. Ford will go ahead and cement the veneer in place. This process involves placing an acidic gel on the tooth, which creates a rough surface for secure bonding. The gel is cleaned off and dried, and the veneer is cemented carefully, and firmly, in place.
Care Of Dental Veneers
Caring for your veneers is no different from caring for your natural teeth. You should continue your regular oral hygiene regimen and be sure to come in for exams at least twice a year, during which Dr. Ford will check the condition of the veneer.
Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer you several benefits:
- They provide a permanent solution to imperfect teeth that looks completely natural. No one will be able to tell the difference.
- Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
- More of your tooth remains intact, as opposed to crowns.
- They can cover stains that whitening methods, including professional ones, can’t solve.
Schedule Your Dental Veneers Appointment
Porcelain veneers are an excellent option to restore an imperfect smile. Contact Ford Dental Group in Huntington Beach today to find out if they are the right solution for you by calling us at (714) 409-6161.
