Often when you see people with the perfect 'Hollywood smile' there is a good chance that this person may have had some cosmetic dentistry performed, such as the placement of porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin shells of porcelain that are bonded onto the outside surface of the teeth.
A fantastic analogy of the porcelain veneer concept is the idea of fake finger nails which are bonded onto your own finger nails to hide imperfections or improve their appearance.
Porcelain veneers can be used to change the shape and colour of teeth, mask discolouration, restore chipped and worn teeth, be an alternative to orthodontics to close spaces and straighten crooked teeth, correct teeth that are rotated, or even to close gaps.
In the ideal world, your new porcelain veneers should last in excess of ten years and still look as good in ten years as they did on the day they were inserted.
It is important that the placement of porcelain veneers should be undertaken by a dentist with extensive training and experience in cosmetic dentistry.
Ensure that your dentist has access to a truly artistic ceramist, using the most aesthetic porcelains with a keen eye for aesthetic detail.
If you are considering a smile makeover, don't be afraid to ask your dentist if you can see photographs of previous cosmetic cases they have completed.
What is involved in having Veneer Treatment?
Porcelain veneers are often used to achieve the perfect ‘Hollywood smile’ that many people desire. At Geelong Smile Studio, we recommend the use of porcelain veneers over the use of ceramic veneers.
The fabrication of porcelain veneers requires two appointments. The first appointment involves the preparation and shaping of the teeth. An impression and photos for shade matching will also be taken.
Temporary veneers are made to last for the two to three weeks it takes a ceramist to make the porcelain veneers. At the second appointment, the porcelain veneers are bonded to the prepared teeth using state-of-the-art bonding materials.
Results may vary in individual cases. The photo(s) used are stock photos of people who are not patients of Geelong Smile Studio, employees or affiliates.
The treatment process
After a diagnostic appointment where models, photographs and an extensive discussion take place, two visits are required to fabricate porcelain veneers. A temporary veneer will be fabricated at this appointment to ensure you maintain your smile for the two weeks it often takes the ceramist to individually make the porcelain veneers.
First appointment
The first visit will involve the precise shaping of the teeth to ideally receive the porcelain veneers. An impression will be taken of the prepared teeth using a silicone-like material, and this information is then sent to a master ceramist.
Second appointment
At the second appointment, the temporary veneers are quickly removed and the porcelain veneers ultimately cemented. It is here that the true artisan qualities of the master ceramist and dentist become apparent to create a truly amazing smile.
Frequently asked questions
As porcelain is a glass, it has optical properties that closely resemble your tooth’s enamel and therefore, this material provides the optimal aesthetic results. However, as a cost-effective alternative, veneers can also be fabricated in composite resin.
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, tooth-coloured shells or laminates of porcelain that are bonded to the outside surface of your teeth.
A fantastic analogy of the porcelain veneer concept is the idea of fake finger nails which are bonded to your own finger nails to hide imperfections or improve their appearance.
Porcelain veneers can be used to:
- Change the shape and colour of teeth
- Mask discolorations and stains
- Restore chipped and worn teeth as an alternative to orthodontics to close spaces and straighten crooked teeth
- Correct teeth that are rotated
- Close gaps