Veneers & Crowns

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are a thin, semi-translucent laminate permanently bonded to your teeth. While they're not suitable for every patient, veneers are the most aesthetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions involving the front teeth, including: Advantages and Benefits of Veneers
There are many benefits and advantages to having porcelain veneers placed on your front teeth: How are veneers different from composite restorations or crowns?
Composite is a resin filling material that was used for several years to cover the front surface of teeth. Today, we generally use composite only to fill in small surfaces or cavities and repair chips in teeth. A full crown is when a tooth has had root canal treatment, or when a substantial amount of the entire tooth structure (enamel) has been lost.

How are porcelain veneers done?
At the first appointment 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 dentist's specifications and beautiful temporaries are fabricated to simulate your new smile so you can expect to leave the first appointment looking better than when you came in. At the second appointment the veneers are permanently adhered to the natural teeth.

What to expect
Veneers can last indefinitely, depending on how well they are taken care of by the patient. Because veneers are stronger than simple composite, they are also more resistant to stains and chipping. You must maintain regular oral hygiene at home, and visit us for routine cleanings and exams. This is to ensure that your new veneers will look as good as new. Another important point is that oral habits that damage natural teeth such as nail biting and chewing on hard objects can also damage your new veneers. Once veneers are applied, just treat them like natural teeth. They look great and are extremely durable.

Is a crown right for me?
Crowns address aesthetic needs, restore tooth function, and enhance the overall health of your mouth. In cases where teeth have large broken down fillings, a crown can protect and preserve the remaining natural tooth. To enhance your smile a metal-free, tooth coloured crown can also replace an older metal/porcelain crown. Following root canal therapy, a crown is typically placed over the remaining tooth structure to preserve aesthetic and tooth function.

Is a bridge right for me?
In cases where teeth are missing, a bridge prevents the remaining natural teeth from shifting so that dental health and facial aesthetics are not compromised. Bridges may also provide a permanent, non-removable alternative to removable partial dentures. Whether supported by natural teeth or implants, bridges can offer life-like aesthetics and stable chewing surfaces. They can be easily maintained with modified brushing and flossing.