718 N. Coast Hwy 101
Leucadia, CA 92024
760.753.7185

Porcelain Veneers

An excellent alternative to crowns for the front teeth, veneers can mask stains, hide chips, correct misalignment, and create uniformity. Veneers, which are made of thin customized porcelain material designed to slide over the teeth, look incredibly natural and are relatively easy to apply. Veneers are highly resistant to stains and can last from 10 to 20 years.

Porcelain veneers are ceramic (a glass/silica product). There are a dozen dental ceramic manufacturers making good to excellent products. The differences in the glass products lie in the fabrication techniques, their structure and formula. IPS Empress® Esthetic Veneer, a product byIvoclar Vivadent® , is by far the most extensively used. Empress is a pressed ceramic material with exceptional natural optics and tight fit. Feldspathic veneers are a hand layered ceramic product with a superior ability to characterize and shade the teeth (i.e. to make darker teeth lighter), but have a slighty thicker cement line at the seam by the tooth. Lumineers™ by Cerinate® developed by Den-Mat Corporation, a new line of veneers, have great results with little or no tooth reduction (i.e. no cutting/shaving of the tooth). This no preparation method is only useful, if 1) you are not significantly changing the color of your teeth, and 2) adding bulk to the front surface of the tooth is acceptable. In general, the first two mentioned provide the best results.

Veneering teeth requires two "treatment" appointments. The lengths of the visits depend on the number of veneers done. At the first appointment, Dr. Madurowicz will prepare your teeth by removing a very small amount of tooth enamel. The amount of structure removed depends on many factors. Generally, the less you change, the less you need to remove. And the converse is also true. Once your teeth are properly shaped, a quick, yet accurate impression is made, Dr. Madurowicz then fabricates custom temporaries that are spot bonded to the teeth as a mock-up to show you the veneer/smile design. These beautiful and comfortable temporaries are created from a wax mold taken earlier. You can "test drive" the feel, fit, function, as well as the appearance at home with friends and family. About three to four weeks later, during the second "treatment" appointment, your new veneers will be bonded to your teeth for a long lasting fit. This lag time is very important as it allows you to adjust to the change, and any subsequent modifications, which are desired of the temporaries, are incorporated into the final veneers. This time is also used to properly communicate to the laboratory this exact final shape of your veneers.

If you are interested in learning more about veneers and enhancing your smile, or if you want to schedule a no charge consultation appointment (usually 10-20 minutes) to ask some questions, contact our office today.

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