Dental veneers or porcelain veneers as they are often called are very thin shells that are designed to fit over the exposed surface of teeth. The veneers are the same color as your natural teeth and are used to improve your appearance. Veneers can also be made from a resin material, although they do not wear as well and they can stain easier than veneers produced from porcelain. A cosmetic dentist in Arlington Heights will suggest veneers to fix:
- Teeth that are discolored from food, a root canal or discolored resin fillings
- Repair teeth that are worn down
- Repair teeth that are chipped or cracked
- Close gaps between teeth, and
- Improve the alignment of teeth or teeth that are irregular in shape
Getting Dental Veneers
Typically, getting veneers requires three visits to the dentist. The first visit is for a consultation. During the second visit, the dentist prepares the teeth; the third visit is when the veneers are applied.
Consultation: The dentist will examine your teeth; this may entail X-Rays as well as impressions. The dentist will tell you what to expect and what limitations there may be if any.
Preparation: The exposed surface of teeth that are subjects for veneers will be ground down by an amount equal to the thickness of the veneer, usually about 0.5mm. Once the teeth have been prepared, the dentist will take an impression, which is used by the lab to manufacture the veneers. The manufacture of the veneers takes a week or two.
Application: The dentist will trim the veneer to ensure a perfect fit; he or she also checks the color. If necessary, the color can be adjusted by using colored bonding material. Once the preliminary work has been completed, the surfaces will be roughened up, this allows for a strong bond between the veneer and tooth. A special cement is used; it is dried with a UV light.
If your teeth are imperfect, consider porcelain veneers. To discuss the benefits, cost, and procedure, contact James Kakos DDS in Arlington Heights, visit Website.com.
