Do you long for a whiter, brighter, more beautiful smile? If so, a Smile Makeover may be what you need. A Smile Makeover with porcelain veneers can improve your smile, but it can also improve your life.
While Smile Makeovers can include several different procedures, the most significant of these procedures are porcelain restorations, or Veneers. Porcelain veneers cover and restore the teeth. They can help change the size, shape, color and overall look of your teeth. Veneers are seamless and they are virtually undetectable even when individuals are mere inches away. Veneers do not stain, and, with good home care and routine dental visits, can last for many years to come.
In a recent study of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), participants were asked: “What is the first thing you notice in a person’s smile?”. A few of the most common responses were: straightness, whiteness, and color of teeth, cleanliness of teeth, and the sparkle of the smile. By using porcelain veneers as a part of your smile makeover, you can achieve the beautiful, healthy-looking smile you desire. If you have an interest about veneers, please read our question and answer section below. You can also visit our Smile Makeover gallery to view some of our before and afters and see for yourself the difference veneers have already made in the lives of so many of our patients.
Veneers are thin, semi-translucent porcelain laminates that are
permanently bonded to the front portion your teeth. While veneers not suitable for every patient, they are typically the most aesthetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions involving the front teeth. Some of the conditions that can be addressed and corrected by veneers include:
Are there any Advantages and Benefits to having Veneers? There are many advantages and benefits to having veneers as opposed to other types of restorations or procedures.
For several years, a resin filling material known as bonding was used for several years to cover the front surface of teeth. Now, because bonding is not as strong or natural looking as porcelain, it is typically only used to fill in small surfaces or cavities and repair small chips in teeth. A full porcelain dental crown is used when a tooth has been previously treated with a root canal or when a substantial amount of tooth structure has been lost or decayed.
Once you have decided to move forward with your smile makeover, we will take dental records and photographs of your existing smile. From this information, we will begin working with you to design your new smile. Once this design has been created, the teeth are prepared for the veneers and an impression is taken. This impression is then sent to a lab where each porcelain veneer is custom made to the exact specifications created by you. At this appointment, you can say goodbye to your old smile and hello to a preview of your new one because today you will receive your “Prototype Smile”.
Your prototype smile is a beautiful set of temporaries that you will wear until your final veneers are fabricated. Unlike any other cosmetic surgery procedure, the prototype smile allows you to evaluate what you like or don’t like about your newly designed smile. You can gather input from your friends and family and thoroughly evaluate the new shape and size of your teeth as well as the way they function. Changes can be made while you are wearing your prototype smile to ensure that your final smile makeover looks exactly the way you want. With this technique, there are no surprises and the final result is nothing less than spectacular. Once we create your veneers, we remove the prototype smile, and we permanently bond your final veneers to your teeth. You will leave that day with the smile of your dreams and a new lease on life.
For patients seeking to enhance their smile in a minimally invasive way, minimal or no prep veneers just may be the answer. Minimal or no prep veneers can be a good alternative to bonding or traditional dental veneers. However, not all cases are candidates for no or minimal prep veneers.
Like traditional veneers, the minimal preparation and “no-prep” veneers are bonded to the front surface of the teeth and can easily change the size, shape, and color of the tooth. However, minimal and “no-prep” veneers do not require a large reduction in tooth structure. In many cases, no-prep veneers can be placed without reducing any tooth structure at all, while many other cases require only minimal reduction of tooth structure.
The placement of traditional veneers will require more extensive removal of tooth structure sometimes beyond the enamel or outermost layer of the tooth. Many veneers can be replaced without reducing any tooth structure at all, but others may need minimal preparation. These cases can be addressed with minimal preparation veneers. Typically tooth modifications are minimal and affect only the enamel layer of the tooth. Further reduction into the dentin or layer of the tooth beneath the enamel might be necessary depending on the condition and position of the teeth being treated.
Minimal preparation and “no-prep” veneers may be suitable for adults and adolescents seeking to effectively address a number of cosmetic dental conditions, including:
There are a variety of minimal or no-prep veneers on the market today. Lumineers are one of the more heavily marketed brand names. In addition to Lumineers, many other brands of minimally invasive products also are available for smile makeovers, depending upon the case. Some of the different brand names include Vivaneers, Durathin veneers, IPS e.max Press lithium disilicate veneers, as well as many others.
We urge you to look at before and after photos of real cases prior to making your decision to restore your smile. Just because a certain brand is heavily marketed does not mean that it is the best product for you. We work very hard with the ceramists in our dental laboratory to ensure that each veneer case we do looks exceptional and functions properly. Please visit the smile makeover section of our website to view before and after photos of actual patients.
At your consultation, we will explain the different cosmetic dentistry options available to meet your specific needs. Prior to starting treatment, we will conduct a comprehensive exam. This helps us determine the health of your teeth. Also, we determine the specific procedures necessary to give you a happy and healthy smile.
Typically dental insurance does not cover elective cosmetic procedures such as veneers and whitening. We are happy to offer our patients several methods of payment. Prior to beginning treatment, we will review your treatment plan with you. We will also discuss all of the various payment options we offer. Currently, we accept cash, check and all major credit cards. We also offer third-party financing through Care Credit and Chase Healthcare Financing.
Marcus Black DDS
Navigation
Featured Services
