Dental veneers are customized shells of colored materials used to cover the surface of a patient’s teeth to improve their appearance. These shells are bound to the front of a patient’s teeth to change the shape, color, length or size of the teeth. At Jamie Elizabeth Sands, D.D.S., we use porcelain veneers for our patients.
Porcelain veneers can fix worn down, discolored, broken or chipped teeth. They can also help realign uneven teeth and close any gaps that may be present.
Procedure for Getting Dental Veneers
The procedure for getting porcelain veneers may include a series of visits to our Studio City dental office. The first visit is for a consultation, and the rest are for making and applying the porcelain veneers. The procedure involves diagnosis, planning treatment, preparation, and bonding.
At the diagnosis and planning treatment stage, we will discuss your aesthetic goals. We will then conduct some tests such as X-rays to find out if veneers will work for you. Doctor Jamie Sands will make impressions for the laboratory to construct veneers that are an accurate fit for your teeth. During this stage, Dr. Sands can review everything that you can expect for the duration of the treatment process.
Next is the preparation stage, where Dr. Sands will slightly trim your enamel so that they may add the porcelain veneer to the tooth surface. A model of your tooth is then constructed and sent to the laboratory where the veneer will be made. It takes one to two weeks for the veneers to be constructed.
Finally is the bonding stage. Before a porcelain veneer is permanently fixed to your tooth, it will be placed temporarily to determine whether it is the right fit and color. In preparation for the veneer, we will clean, polish and etch your tooth. A special cement will be applied, and then the veneer will be fixed permanently. A light beam is applied to activate the chemicals in the cement to allow your veneer to harden quickly. Excess cement is then removed, and your bite is evaluated.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
- Natural tooth appearance
- Stain resistant.
- Gum tissue can tolerate porcelain well
- You can choose a color for your porcelain veneer such that dark teeth look whiter
- Veneers are a conservative way of changing the color of your tooth.
- Veneers do not need extensive shaping before they are fixed.
- Veneers last from 5-10 years before they need to be replaced.
- Veneers do not need specialized care. You only need to follow proper oral hygiene such as flossing and brushing.
Doctor Jamie Elizabeth Sands is highly experienced in cosmetic dentistry, and she can help you get a perfect smile. Along with her medical team, she will work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for your needs. Contact Jamie Elizabeth Sands, D.D.S. today to schedule your consultation and find out how porcelain veneers can help you get the smile of your dreams.