A porcelain veneer is an extremely thin shell of porcelain that bonds to the surface of a tooth. At floss, we use veneers to change the shape, color, size and symmetry of the teeth and the overall smile. In cosmetic dentistry, porcelain is the material of choice because it replicates human enamel the most naturally. We use multiple ceramic systems, such as e.Max, and feldspathic porcelain. These are the superior porcelain systems available in cosmetic dentistry today, and each system is capable of achieving fantastically beautiful results.
Who is a candidate for porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are ideal for people who want to improve their smile. Veneers are minimally invasive and biocompatible. At floss, we can improve the color, shape, symmetry and overall appearance of your smile using porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are not just for elective purposes. While veneers are the “gold standard” treatment for improving your smile, they are also used to replace old mercury fillings, fix cracked and broken teeth, and replace enamel that has been worn down over time. Worn teeth, uneven or teeth, or chipped/fractured teeth can be restored to create a functional and aesthetically gorgeous smile.
Veneers can be used to correct functional or dental health problems AND create a major smile improvement as an added benefit.
Many people spend years disliking their smile. They are embarrassed to smile for pictures. Sometimes people misjudge a person as unfriendly just because the person does not smile very much. Sometimes a person is so self-conscious of his or her smile that he or she feels they cannot interview for certain jobs even though they are highly qualified. Some grandparents do not want to show their teeth when they smile at their grandchildren because they are afraid of looking unattractive to a child they love so much. Obviously, cosmetic dentistry using porcelain veneers can be life-changing for many individuals. It is our privilege at floss to be involved with these dramatic and life-changing makeovers.
What steps are involved in getting porcelain veneers?
At floss, we transform smiles using the needed art, skill, and science to ensure that every case is a success. In order to achieve a an aesthetic result, we begin every case with the end in mind:
Step1: The Consultation Visit
In this first visit, we have a conversation. This is your opportunity to interview us and have your questions addressed. We will take high definition photos of your teeth, and discuss your goals for your smile. Your pictures are displayed in a private environment on a high-def LCD display. At floss in La Jolla, we are experienced listeners. We spend time with you looking at your photographs and listening what you say about your smile/teeth. You will also have the opportunity to look at photos of smiles WE have created for OUR patients here at floss. Rather than dictating to you what we want you to have, we listen to what YOU want. From custom treatment plans of just 2 porcelain veneers, to plans for full-mouth restoration of 28 teeth, you will receive an individualized treatment plan that will best achieve your goals. We will guide you in the details…and by the time this appointment is finished, together we will have created a formula that is ready to give you exactly the smile you want (and even more than you could imagine!).
Step2: The wax-up “blueprint” for your case
Once we have established the cosmetic plan for your smile, we create plaster models of your teeth and sculpt ideal teeth into the models using wax in order to mimic what the porcelain veneers will look like in your case. This wax-up “blueprint” will also allow us to make sure that the porcelain restorations will function in your mouth properly. At floss we are concerned not only about your smile looking fabulous, but we also want the results to be functionally long-lasting!
This wax-up serves 2 purposes: 1) It allows you and the doctor to preview the end result BEFORE we ever start working in your mouth; and 2) The wax-up serves as a template from which we will design your temporary veneers. Your temporaries will look beautiful, and they allow you to “test drive” your new smile.
We use the wax-up at your preparation appointment. This is usually your second appointment (after the consult). At this appointment we prepare your teeth if needed, and record models on which the actual porcelain veneers are made. In the meantime, while you wait for the porcelain veneers to be made a master ceramist, we place your provisional veneers so that you may “test drive” your new smile.
Step3: Porcelain Veneers Delivery
At this appointment, we remove the temporaries, and try in the porcelain veneers to make sure you love the results before bonding in the porcelain restorations. After bonding the porcelain veneers in place, we equilibrate (align the forces in) your bite. And, if needed, make impressions to make a protective guard for night time wear.
Porcelain veneers should look and feel as natural as teeth. This means you can brush, floss, and eat all of the foods you love. And the best part is that porcelain veneers done at floss will not stain nearly as quickly as your natural teeth did.
If you have any questions, please call floss in La Jolla at (858) 597-9844, or fill out this form to schedule a consultation. We enjoy what we do and we LOVE to talk about it. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve the smile you have always wanted and deserve.
