Porcelain Veneers St. Louis

At your visit, we will discuss the best choice of veneer material for you.

Porcelain Veneers St. Louis

Veneers are individually sculptured for each patient and, as a result, make it nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Additionally, veneers allow your natural teeth to remain mostly intact with only a small amount being altered to fit the veneer.

Porcelain Veneers

Dental porcelain veneers are made from porcelain. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Stronger types of veneers made of porcelain, typically last longer because they are bonded to the tooth. Another process called bonding can accomplish some of the same things, but it does not last as long.

Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement and are made of a composite tooth-colored material. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl.

Veneers may be placed on the surface of the affected teeth that are:

  • Badly stained
  • Misshaped
  • Crooked
  • Chipped

Veneers Before and After

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced or crooked.

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Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.

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A dental lab technician working from a model provided by Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl creates your veneers. Veneers are usually irreversible because it`s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Typically, veneers entail at least three appointments:

  • Diagnosis and treatment planning
  • Preparation
  • Bonding

During the tooth preparation visit, usually lasting one to two hours, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. During the same visit, a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers.

During the final “bonding” visit, also about one or two hours, the veneers are placed on the tooth surface with water or glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, they can be adjusted with various shades of cement to match the color of your teeth. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam, or laser, causes a catalyst to be released, hardening the cement.

During a two-week period of adjustment that follows, you may notice the change of size and shape in your teeth. It is important to brush and floss daily. Porcelain veneers are realistic replicas of natural teeth. It’s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth.

St. Louis Sedation & Sleep Dentist

If dental fear or phobia is keeping you away from the dentist, The Dental Anesthesia Center is here to help. We are a state-of-the-art dental facility for patients who require general anesthesia, deep sedation, or oral sedation for their dental care.

When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr.Thoms or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for you. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

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