Dental veneers have contributed to the “Hollywood Smile” concept since the 1930s, when they were first created to improve the smiles of actors with poorly cared-for teeth. Since then, the construction and application of dental veneers have improved vastly, and they’ve helped countless people outside of Hollywood achieve the smiles they’ve always wanted. Even if you have more than one issue to contend with, today’s porcelain veneers can completely reinvent your smile in a single procedure, and without disturbing much of your healthy tooth structure.
What Seems to Be the Problem?
When you meticulously brush and floss your teeth every day, as well as visit your dentist for a checkup every six months, you can prevent most common dental diseases from forming. Chronic bad breath, cavities, and gingivitis occur when you don’t remove bacteria-laden plaque and tartar from your teeth. Some issues, however, are not as easily preventable, such as teeth stains, chips, odd spacing, or slight misalignment, to name just a few.
The Idea Behind Porcelain Veneers
The concept of porcelain veneers is to correct flaws in the size, shape, and color of your teeth by transforming the most visual aspects of your smile. A modern veneer is a wafer-thin shell of porcelain, or ceramic, that is crafted by a skilled ceramist to mimic a specific tooth. By concealing its front surface, a veneer lends your tooth a natural, but blemish-free appearance, whenever you flash your smile. For the most lifelike results, each veneer is hand-crafted separately, so they appear natural even if you have several veneers placed.
How to Make Them Look Real
The secret to porcelain veneers’ success lies largely in their construction. Dental porcelain is tinted to match the exact shade of your natural teeth to create a uniform row of teeth when you smile. The ceramic is also semi-translucent, and can be layered to reflect light to the same degree as your healthy tooth enamel. Once we receive your porcelain veneers from the lab, which typically takes about two weeks, Dr. Stewart will expertly bond them to your teeth so they blend in seamlessly with the contour of your smile.
ABOUT YOUR LIVONIA COSMETIC DENTIST:
James Steward, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.