Porcelain Veneers St. Louis
During your visit, we will discuss the best veneer material choice for you.
Veneers are individually sculptured for each patient, making 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 tiny 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. More substantial types of porcelain veneers typically last longer because they are bonded to the tooth. Another process called bonding can accomplish some of the same things but does not last as long.
Resin veneers are thinner and require less of the tooth surface to be removed before placement. They are made of a composite tooth-colored material. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material 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.
Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, injury, or a root-canal procedure. They are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or chipped or worn teeth may consider porcelain veneers.
A dental lab technician creates your veneers from a model provided by Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl. Veneers are usually irreversible because a small amount of enamel must be removed 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, which usually lasts one to two hours, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. About half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. During the same visit, a mold is taken off the teeth and sent to the laboratory to fabricate the veneers.
During the final “bonding” visit, which is about one or two hours, the veneers are placed on the tooth surface with water or glycerin 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. Applying the veneer cleanses the tooth 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 two weeks of adjustment that follows, you may notice a change in the size and shape of your teeth. It is essential 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. They are individually sculptured for each patient, making it nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth.
Veneers may be placed on teeth that are:
- Badly stained
- Misshaped
- Crooked
- Chipped
They can also mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, injury, or a root-canal procedure. They are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth.
Typically, veneers entail at least three appointments:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Preparation
- Bonding
A dental lab technician creates your veneers from a model provided by Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Behl. During the two weeks of adjustment that follows, you may notice a change in the size and shape of your 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!