What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We place veneers routinely, and design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.

Will They Look Like Normal Teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options.

How Durable are Porcelain Veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.

Our doctor will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

Refraining from using your veneers as tools to open and cut things will prolong their life, and if accidental breakage or damage occurs, it is usually possible to replace only the veneer involved.

The Procedure:

This procedure will require three appointments:

  • Diagnosis and treatment planning
  • Preparation
  • Bonding

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning:

You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Dr. Gambacorta will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile. A well aligned bite will help retain these restorations.

Preparation:

Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly altered to allow for the added thickness. Approximately one half of a millimeter of tooth is removed. This may require little or no local anesthesia.

Then a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. If the teeth are too unsightly a temporary veneer can be placed at this time. The veneer should be ready in approximately one to two weeks.

Bonding Veneers:

At the time of your third appointment, Dr. Gambacorta will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check their fit and color. At this point the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is determined, and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to harden the cement.

Care and Follow Up:

Brush and floss daily.

Maintenance of Your New Veneers:

Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by brushing and flossing. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best esthetic success of your veneer. You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer. This is due to the amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate after one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists please call the office.

If you are a known clencher (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. Dr. Gambacorta may recommend a night-guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep.