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DENTAL SERVICES

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VENEERS

Your smile reflects your inner beauty, but sometimes wear and tear, can leave you less confident flashing your pearly whites. Fortunately, in cosmetic dentistry veneers are a solution that can help improve the way your teeth look, putting your perfect smile back on your face in no time! Whether you’re in need of a solution for crooked teeth, whiter teeth, or just want a better smile, veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure that provides a long-term solution.


WHAT ARE VENEERS?

Veneers are simple, minimally invasive restorations designed to protect damaged or worn teeth. Dental veneers also called dental porcelain laminates, or porcelain veneers, are wafer-thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the surface of teeth to protect them or improve their appearance. They provide strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel. Veneers are bonded to the front of teeth, masking their imperfections, or changing their shape, size, or length.

Porcelain is the choice material for correcting issues of shape or color and can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Veneers can also be made from composite resin, but porcelain ones are better at resisting stains and are superior in mimicking the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.

WHAT ARE THE USES OF DENTAL VENEERS vs. IMPLANTS, DENTURES, BRACES, AND CROWNS?

Veneers are less intrusive options than crowns, braces, dental implants, or dentures, and can be used to close gaps or correct misalignments. Patients may also choose dental veneers as a cosmetic solution for an instant smile makeover. Depending on your teeth, it can be much quicker to achieve the smile you’re looking for when comparing veneers vs. braces.

Veneers are routinely used as an instant teeth whitening solution, masking stains and discolorations, either due to a root canal treatment, drugs such as tetracycline, excessive fluoride exposure, or any other causes. Additionally, veneers are used to add length to teeth that have been worn out due to grinding, or years of wear and tear.

Veneers also correct teeth that are chipped or broken, restoring a natural look. Patients with gaps or crooked, misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth, may want to consider treatment with dental veneers.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL VENEERS?

Veneers offer an exceptional alternative to crowns in many situations. They offer a much more conservative approach to correcting a tooth’s color, size, or shape. Veneers do not need extensive shaping before the dental procedure like crowns do, yet offer a more aesthetic and stronger alternative. They come in different shades, perfectly blending with your teeth and are well-tolerated by your gums.

Veneers, unlike dental bonding, are resistant to stains. Dental bonding is designed to mask minor imperfections, while dental veneers are meant to makeover your entire smile. Veneers typically last for many years with proper dental hygiene practices and oral care.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

The typical process usually takes two or three appointments. Local anesthesia is not typically used when placing new veneers but can be given if needed, depending on your preference and sensitivity.

During your consultation, our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Fortson, will talk to you about the results you would like to achieve. He will examine your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and will explain the treatment and what it will involve.

During the procedure, we will first clean your tooth and determine the correct shade for your veneer, then we will remove about half a millimeter of tooth enamel. After taking an impression of the tooth for the laboratory, we will place a temporary restoration on your tooth until your permanent veneers are ready, which usually takes 2-4 weeks.

During your next visit, we will remove your temporary veneer and carefully clean your teeth with pumice and water. We will then apply the adhesive and cement it to your tooth with an exact fit and contour, using light for 60 seconds to attach it to the tooth structure. After removing any excess material and polishing the margins of your veneer, you will be amazed at your natural looking teeth and your perfect smile!

We will likely schedule a follow-up visit with you to check on how your gums are responding and to once again examine your veneer’s placement.

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR VENEERS?

Just as with natural teeth and any restorations, proper dental hygiene is essential. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends frequently brushing and flossing just as you would your regular teeth. Make sure to schedule your routine checkups and cleanings for optimal health.

Make sure to avoid chewing on inedible items such as pens or your nails to prevent damage to your veneers. Porcelain is stain-resistant, but your natural tooth structure is not, so it’s always best to limit substances that cause staining, including cigarettes, coffee, berries, and beets.

Grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism can damage your new veneers. If you suffer from this condition, seek treatment to avoid harming not only the veneers but your natural teeth and jaw joint. We can help fit you with a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.

If you play sports or other contact activities, consider using a mouthguard to protect your veneers. Football, wrestling, or other contact sports may pose a danger to your new beautiful smile. Protecting your teeth from potential trauma saves you not only a lot of pain but also the cost required to restore your smile.

Keep in mind that no matter how well you take care of your veneers, they will need replacements at some point. However, proper oral hygiene will help them last as long as possible.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

Visit us at Fortson’s Dentistry to learn more about veneers and how they can brighten your smile. If you’re looking for dental veneers in Oak Park, Lathrup Village, Southfield, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Birmingham, Madison Heights, or Royal Oak, Fortson Dentistry has three Southeast Michigan locations to serve you. Our highly-trained and experienced staff is here to answer any questions and to help you determine the best cosmetic solution for you. Get the smile makeover you’ve always been dreaming of today!