Dental Veneers |
Types of dental veneers |
Dental veneers are replacements for enamel (the protective covering of your teeth) that is often worn down over time as a result of genetics, poor habits (smoking, coffee, sugary drinks, smokeless tobacco, certain medications, etc.) or lack of care. Veneers can resolve a number of issues beyond enamel wear such as aging, lack of evenness in teeth and cracks. Two of the most common materials used in the creation of dental veneers include porcelain and composite resin. Many patients choose composite veneers as they can be created directly in the Affordable Dentist office as they are placed in your mouth.
Dental Veneers are usually appropriate for patients that have dental problems that whitening and bonding cannot repair. For example, some discoloration, cracks, spaces and chipping cannot be repaired without the use of dental veneers. Veneers also last longer than other techniques (up to 15 years) and are strong enough to accommodate many activities. However, you may be encouraged to refrain from some practices like eating carrots or wear a protective mouth guard at night if you suffer from Bruxism. Dental veneers are thin enough that no reshaping of the teeth is normally required after the procedure. |
The most popular types of dental veneer are:
Lumineers: Very thin cerinate porcelain which is very strong. As Lumineers are so slim, most patients do not require any tooth surface removal. Da Vinci Veneers: Another type of slim veneer which is an especially popular choice for patients undergoing a smile makeover. MAC Veneers: This type is made from a pressed ceramic, giving the veneer a great deal of strength. MAC veneers also have a higher resistance to stains and discoloration than conventional veneers. |
Not to be confused with bleaching (which actually improves the color of teeth beyond their original state) whitening simply removes built up dirt and chemicals from the teeth to restore them to a white appearance that they originally had. During even minor chewing, the enamel covering of your teeth stays in place while millions of microscopic cracks form on the surface.
It is within these cracks that dirt and debris can be trapped – contributing to a dull appearance of the overall tooth. Teeth whitening can remove this dirt from the cracks to restore the teeth to a whiter appearance. Almost any cause of teeth staining can be reversed through the use of teeth whitening. There are several options for teeth whitening that an Affordable Dentist can use or recommend to patients. An option with the most immediate effects is performed during a single (sometimes two) visits and lasts around an hour. The process uses very strong hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solutions to whiten teeth over several 15 to 20 minute sessions. An Affordable Dentist may also prescribe kits that you can take home and use over a period off time it stays off several weeks or months. These kits are easy to use and are often very effective over a long period of time. Finally, some patients choose kits that can be purchased at any drug or convenience store. However, these kits, although cheap, are often only effective on the front most teeth. |
A cosmetic procedure, smile makeover are any number of procedures developed to improve the appearance of your smile. These procedures can include tooth implants, whitening techniques, veneers and bonding (composite). Patients that request a smile makeover do so because they would like to improve their appearance, not because it is medically necessary. We will meet with you to discuss some of the issues that you have with your mouth and provide feedback on what changes are realistic and their associated cost. After this meeting, you can decide which services will have the most benefit. Some of the problems that a smile makeover can address are the color of your teeth, crooked or overlapping teeth, any number of missing teeth, cracking or chips and decay. In addition, lips and cheeks can be filled out to improve the overall appearance of your smile. Popular requests of our Affordable Dentist office include tooth lengthening (which can create a youthful look), size of the teeth (correcting proportion) and improving tooth texture and character. Any crowns applied will not need to be replaced for 10 to 15 years. Other procedures may need regular upkeep every few years or after a period of 5 years.
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Our Affordable Dental office specializes in a variety of cosmetic and esthetic dental procedures. These procedures include crowns, Lumineers, laminates, dental implants, and more. Below, you can learn more about each of these procedures. If you’re interested in any form of cosmetic dentistry, feel free to contact us for a detailed consultation.
Lumineers Lumineers are incredibly thin, translucent tooth coverings that are designed to enhance the outward appearance of your teeth. Essentially, a Lumineer is a small sheet, only 0.2 millimeters in thickness, that covers your tooth. Dental Implants Dental implants are complete tooth or teeth replacements that include a new artificial root (made of titanium) as well as a replacement tooth that is added later. Laminates Laminates, otherwise known as porcelain veneers, are thin porcelain tooth coverings that will improve the strength and appearance of your teeth |
Replacing Missing TeethWithin a cosmetic smile makeover you can have a dental implant, a dental bridge or a partial denture. You don't need to worry about the tooth/teeth looking odd next to your natural teeth, as the same color can be achieved as well as made to measure fitting.
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Straightening your TeethGaps in your teeth, crooked teeth or overlapped teeth are all easy to correct with discreet methods, and at any age. If you wish to have your natural teeth straightened, an Invisalign brace can be used. It is a clear covering of the teeth that will re-align them much like a normal brace. A faster solution to this problem is maybe to have veneers fitted.
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Chipped TeethTeeth can be easily chipped. Treatments will vary slightly depending on the extent of the damage caused to your tooth, but there are many treatments available. The most common solutions to this type of damage to teeth are a veneer, a crown or cosmetic bonding.
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Stained TeethIf you feel your teeth are discolored, which is unfortunately a very natural occurrence from the food and drink we consume, there are various whitening techniques available. There are home kits for this purpose, but you should again consult your dentist to ensure you will not be causing any more damage to your teeth. Equally, veneers can be fitted to create a dazzlingly white smile.
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Unsightly FillingsYou may have had metal fillings in the past which you feel are unsightly should you laugh or smile. Thus, these can be changed to white fillings, which will match your natural tooth color and make the fillings almost invisible but still work as effectively.
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Porcelain VeneersThese are custom made porcelain shells for your teeth that are paper-thin. They can be made from other materials, but the most popular of them is porcelain. As they are custom made they can cover any gaps, unevenness, crookedness or chips in your teeth.
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Dental ImplantsThese are normally a good idea if you have lost teeth or have severely damaged teeth. The implants will include metal rods, which will imitate the lost root and keep your new tooth in a fixed position.
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This is one of the most popular smile makeover treatments. Normally, the at home products do not contain high levels of peroxide which bleaches the teeth, but there can be some products that could severely damage your teeth and gums and you should always consult your dentist over recommended at-home kits. Equally, your dentist could conduct a scale and polish and then whiten your teeth in-house. This can significantly change the coloring of your teeth should you have stained/dark/yellow teeth. Some dentist whitening systems use laser procedures to whiten teeth.
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