NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Veneers are thin, custom made pieces of durable, tooth shaped porcelain that are bonded onto the front of teeth to create a beautiful and attractive smile. Veneers can completely reshape your teeth and smile. They can often be alternatives to crowns and the ideal solution in treating many dental conditions.

Porcelain veneers can correct many cosmetic problems. They can improve size, shape, and color of teeth. They can also close spaces between teeth, as well as lengthen or shorten teeth. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful long lasting smile.

Reasons for porcelain veneers:

• Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, beautiful smile.
• Crooked teeth.
• Misshapen teeth.
• Severely discolored or stained teeth.
• Teeth that are too small or large.
• Unwanted or uneven spaces.
• Worn or chipped teeth.

Getting veneers usually requires no more than two visits to complete the process, with little or no anesthesia required during the procedure. The teeth are prepared by lightly buffing and shaping the surface to allow for the thickness of the veneer. A mold or impression of the teeth is taken and a shade (color) will then be chosen by you and your dentist.

You will receive care instructions for veneers. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new veneers. With the proper treatment, your porcelain veneers can last 20 years or more.

Dental bonding is an efficient, affordable process of bonding tooth-colored resin to the teeth to hide imperfections like small gaps, minor chips, and discoloration. Along with cosmetic benefits, bonding can also be used to fill cavities. Over time, the bonding may need to be touched up or replaced, but it is highly unlikely that it will fall off or break away as the resin that is bonded to the tooth is permanent.

Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete, and can be completed at our dental office.

Dental bonding can be used to cover up imperfections on the teeth, but it also has other benefits as well, including:

• To fill in a small gap between two teeth
• To repair decayed teeth by filling a cavity with tooth-colored resin
• To change the shape of a tooth
• To repair chips or cracks in teeth
• To cover up discoloration
• To protect the root of a tooth after it’s been exposed by receding gums
• To make a tooth look larger than it is, which is usually done to make it match the other teeth

How Are Crowns and Bridges Made?

Crowns and bridges are made by a dental technician that uses the mold of your teeth to determine the exact shape and size of the restoration. The process usually only takes a few weeks to create to help you look your best with your new smile.

How Long Will Crowns and Bridges Last?

The longevity of a crown or bridge depends mostly on the dental health and hygiene habits of the patient. Routine exams and cleanings are imperative to keep your teeth clean and healthy. A crown or bridge can be damaged by an injury, biting a hard piece of candy, or failing to brush and floss on a regular basis.

What Problems Do Crowns Fix?

There is a long list of dental problems that can be repaired with a crown or bridge. Here are a few that may apply to your case:

– A crown can cover and secure a tooth that has cracked or chipped.
– A darkened or discolored tooth that doesn’t respond to whitening treatments will look bright, smooth, and polished after a crown is added.
– A dental bridge will fill in spaces caused by lost or extracted teeth.
– A crown will shore up a tooth that is vulnerable after root canal therapy.