Resolve to Get Your Dream Smile in 2018
In this last blog in our series about New Year’s Resolutions, we will discuss how you can finally achieve the smile you have always dreamed of.
Even with ideal oral hygiene, teeth whitening and Invisalign straightening, some smiles still do not meet their wearer’s cosmetic goals. There are cases of persistent discoloration that does not respond to whitening. Some teeth are misshapen, so that even when they are perfectly white and aligned properly, the patient can be unhappy with the appearance of his or her smile. In cases of attrition, which is a gradual wearing down of the biting edge of teeth, the teeth appear too short even though they are straight and white.
These are just a few examples of smiles that will go from good to great with porcelain veneers.
How Do Porcelain Veneers Take Smiles from Good to Great?
A porcelain veneer is a thin overlay that covers the visible surface of a tooth to improve its cosmetic appearance. Veneers can cover only one tooth or every tooth in the mouth. Porcelain veneers recreate the outer surface of the teeth. They can mask or block out dark discolorations. They can reshape individual teeth to a prettier contour. They can restore tooth structure that has been worn away from years of grinding or improper use.
If you have not straightened your teeth, veneers can give a perfectly straight appearance to teeth that have minor crowding or small gaps and spaces.
The porcelain from which the veneers are made comes in a wide range of tooth colors. A skilled lab technician will also add natural anatomical character to a veneer so that it perfectly mimics a beautiful, natural tooth. At Designer Smiles, we work with only certified dental lab technicians who have shown the greatest level of skill in creating perfect teeth from the highest quality of materials.
Thin (or No Prep) Veneers vs. Traditional Veneers
Veneers can be made as thin as a contact lens or up to several millimeters thick. The thickness of the veneer varies based on the desired end result.
A general rule is that the bigger the cosmetic change you are looking for, the thicker the porcelain veneer needs to be.
Teeth that have moderate crowding or overlap will require a different kind of reshaping by the dentist. The darker the discoloration of teeth, the thicker the porcelain veneer will be to block out that discoloration.
The dentist always prepares the teeth with the end result in mind. Tooth preparation for veneers usually involves the removal of some enamel. In most cases, the amount of enamel removed (or prepared) by the dentist correlates to the projected thickness of the porcelain veneer.
Thin, or no prep, veneers are a wonderful option for making minor cosmetic changes to your smile. If you have already whitened and straightened your teeth, but still desire some tooth reshaping or contouring, a thin veneer is perfect.
It is best to allow Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren to make the decision of how thick the veneers should be after you have thoroughly discussed your desired cosmetic outcome. Their skill, knowledge and experience enables them to accurately predict what thickness of porcelain veneers is right to meet your cosmetic goals.
How Can You Get Your Dream Smile with Veneers?
Communication!
In order for Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren to create the exact smile you are dreaming of, they must understand precisely what you are envisioning. Beautiful smiles come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Each person has a distinct personal preference on what he or she considers beautiful. Even dentists have differing opinions on what tooth shape, size and color are most esthetically pleasing.
The most important opinion is yours!
Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren will discuss many different options of tooth shape, color and size when you have a cosmetic dentistry consultation with them. If you are not sure what preferences you have, start looking at photos in magazines or online. Cut out or print out smiles that you think are beautiful! If you know someone whose smile is gorgeous in your opinion, ask to take a close-up of his or her teeth.
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, a picture is worth even more than a thousand words!
Once you and your dentist have communicated and agreed that you both understand your specific cosmetic goals, you can get started. In order to ensure that the final product meets these goals, Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren convey the details of your desired outcome to their skilled dental lab technicians. We know that the final product depends on detailed communication between all parties involved in the veneer process.
How Do You Know Veneers Will Give You the Smile You Want?
At Designer Smiles, we build relationships with our patients based on trust. We understand that trust is built on your experience with us. Before you commit to the investment of porcelain veneers, we want you to be able to experience them.
This is why we offer something called a Trial Smile.
A Trial Smile is a way for you to experience the cosmetic changes you will achieve with porcelain veneers before you fully commit. We understand that cosmetic dentistry requires a significant financial investment. And while we know that it is a great investment, we recognize that many people do not really know what they will get out of that investment. Sometimes you have to see it to believe it.
With a Trial Smile, a set of provisional veneers with the projected shape, size and color of the porcelain veneers is temporarily attached to your teeth. We take photos and videos of you smiling and speaking so that you can see what the cosmetic result is.
You can wear the Trial Smile outside of the office for a short time, too. We know that it is important to get the opinions of friends and family members. The Trial Smile gives you the opportunity to get feedback on your new smile before you have actually started the process.
If you have been considering porcelain veneers for your smile, the Trial Smile will help you make the final decision.
How Can You Find Out More About Veneers and Trial Smiles?
Call our office at 281-667-4010 today to schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Ann and Dr. Lauren. They will evaluate your current smile, listen to understand your desired cosmetic changes, and work with you to select the option that is right for you.