Veneers in Arlington
If you have various tooth imperfections that you’d like to conceal, consider veneers, a tooth covering that allows a dentist to change the color, size and shape of teeth by replacing their outer surface.
NEW PATIENTS
Materials Used
Historically, veneers have been made using different materials, such as composite resin, but porcelain is the most commonly used material. Veneers were made possible by acquiring proper technology and chemistry to bond to tooth structure with strength similar to the bond between enamel and dentin.
The ways in which veneers are fabricated can also be different: they can be milled out of a solid block of porcelain; they can be pressed with liquefied porcelain being pushed into a mold; and they can also be handmade baking layer after layer to give it a three-dimensional appearance.
There was a time when composite resin was used to make chairside veneers. This has fallen off to the wayside because it is laborious, the material did not last as long as expected by the average person, and in only a few years they would be unhappy with the way it aged.
Personalized to Each Patient
What to Expect
There are different amounts of work and or appointments, so the cost of fabricating the veneers can vary widely. The most important thing is that we understand each other at the beginning of the procedure, so that we can pick the option that best suits the patient. This can only be determined by the patients themselves.
With more complexity, more work might be needed. When there is a substantial amount of tooth structure missing, a diagnostic wax can be used. Impressions are taken of the teeth, the models are mounted one against the other, just like they are in the patient’s mouth, and the teeth are designed and made out of wax on that model.
Impressions can be taken from that model, and temporary veneers can be fabricated. Also, the patient can take the models home and evaluate them over a period of time.
If the patient’s needs would be fulfilled with only changing the color and shape of the teeth, then the milled technique would likely suffice. As cases get more complex, like patients with short teeth and gummy smiles, gum surgery might be needed, and clear communication becomes more important to address all the concerns a person might have.
When the patient’s expectations are to have the best technology they can provide, the hand-stacked approach would be indicated. That means the layering technique will be used to fabricate the veneers, and different kinds of porcelain—opaque porcelain, body porcelain and translucent porcelain—would be used to give a three-dimensional look to the tooth, almost like you can see through it.
Book an Appointment
If you’d like to achieve a beautiful, photo-ready smile, consider veneers. Contact Arlington Dental today to schedule an appointment!