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Are your teeth badly stained, shaped or crooked? Dental veneers can be used to help improve the appearance of your teeth. Falling under the category of cosmetic dentistry, veneers create a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth. The translucent ceramic quality of today's veneers provides a more natural look than what has been available in the past. Veneers are custom-designed tooth-like ceramic shells that, when applied over the surface of a tooth, can cover worn enamel, uneven tooth alignment or spacing, and chips or cracks. The Dental Veneers Process The process for dental veneers may take up to three appointments for the entire procedure: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding. It is important that you take on an active role in the design of your smile, including expectations. To prepare the teeth for veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness, usually about half a millimeter, of the veneer. Composite resin veneers can generally be performed in one appointment, while porcelain veneers may take multiple visits as they are sent to a laboratory for fabrication. Composite Resign and Porcelain Veneers Two of the most commonly used materials in the manufacture of dental veneers are composite resin and porcelain. Both porcelain veneers and composite veneers are generally fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory. Of the two options, porcelain veneers are longer lasting and resemble your natural teeth more closely. Composite veneers are made from a special bonding material and require the artistic skill of your dentist to shape and mold the composite resin to the desired shape of your tooth. Once this has been done, a special light is used to cure or set the resin. Composite bonding is a much quicker alternative to porcelain veneers, but they do not last as long and are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. Porcelain veneers provide the ideal solution to restoring your smile. Restorative Benefits of Veneers Not only are veneers esthetically pleasing, they can also serve as a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth. In some cases, veneers may replace the need for a dental crown, which eliminates the need for more invasive tooth preparation. Since dental veneers are thin, they generally require little-to-no reshaping of the tooth when bonded. Once your veneers are bonded into place, they are strong and durable, but require appropriate care to avoid breakage. Your dentist may also advise you against certain habits or dietary tendencies and may recommend that you wear a protective appliance while you are sleeping, especially if you grind your teeth. Veneers are not appropriate for everyone, but with proper consultation your dentist can determine the best treatment available for your smile. If you have a severe case of dull or discolored teeth, pesky chips or unsightly gaps, dental veneers may be an appropriate solution to restoring your smile. Consult your dentist in Kalamazoo today to find out if veneers are the right treatment for your teeth. Dental veneers are a classic treatment that can create an impressive smile transformation for you.
Dr. Rusel Hollister, Kalamazoo cosmetic dentist, went to the University of Detroit Dental School where he graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1981. Dr. Hollister has had an office in Kalamazoo since 1983, and he opened his current office in 1995, providing patients with services including root canal therapy, implants, braces and Invisalign in Kalamazoo, among other services.
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