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Revitalize Your Smile with Veneer Benefits
For those seeking a dazzling smile without extensive surgical procedures, dental veneers by Dr. Andy Gaertner are a game-changing solution. Not only do these custom-made shells enhance your appearance, but they also come with numerous advantages that are difficult to ignore.
Cosmetic dentistry offers patients several restorative solutions to improve the look of their teeth. There has long been a demand for aesthetic specialization in the field of dentistry—mostly because a person’s smile has a huge impact on their overall appearance. Though many individual options exist, dental medicine has only recently advanced to provide patients with a comprehensive solution. Now, dental laminates serve as an all-in-one solution that addresses a multitude of cosmetic issues.
According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, over 3 million veneers were placed in the United States in 2022 alone. This number is up from 2.75 million in 2021 and only 1 million in 2010, showing that veneer procedures are becoming increasingly popular. Veneers offer a fast and effective way to improve the appearance of your smile, and they have become one of the most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatments in America.
Dental Veneers Explained
Dental laminates are thin, tooth-shaped laminates or shells that are made of strong and durable porcelain. Your provider will bond the veneers to the front of your existing teeth to create a more attractive and healthy smile and provide long-lasting correction for aesthetic blemishes. These veneers are as thin as contact lenses, and they don’t overcrowd the mouth since your provider will buff off a small part of the enamel to keep them looking natural.
Dr. Gaertner will help patients customize their veneer procedure in Kendall, down to picking the color of the new teeth. He can place the veneers as partial or full additions. Patients can choose to alter a single tooth or all of their visible teeth surfaces. Generally, costs are based on the number of teeth receiving veneers.
What are Dental Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain (a ceramic material) that cover the front tooth surface. They improve the appearance of the teeth and create a more attractive smile. They’re typically bonded to the front, making them permanent. However, your provider can remove them when necessary, such as after tooth decay or gum recession.
There are two types of veneers: laminate veneers and direct composite veneers. Laminate veneers are made of several different materials, including plastic, metal, and ceramics, while direct composite veneers are made entirely out of porcelain.
Laminate veneers typically enhance the upper front teeth while direct composite veneers are more often used on lower teeth. Each type of veneer requires professional installation and removal.
Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
To be considered a candidate for porcelain veneers, you must meet certain criteria. These include having healthy gums, no decay, and a minimum number of teeth (usually four) needing repair. Prospective patients of veneer application with our cosmetic dentist in Kendall must have their unique case evaluated through a dental exam, X-rays, photographs, and any other steps the dentist requires. Generally, cosmetic dentists will collect an impression of the teeth to submit to the veneer laboratory as well as a bite registration to ensure the corrections will maintain or improve the bite. Dr. Gaertner will determine if your teeth are structurally sound and healthy enough to undergo the process. Most people are suitable candidates for the cosmetic treatment.
Other Advantages of Porcelain Dental Veneers
Dr. Gaertner can give Miami patients a new smile through cosmetic techniques for remedying dysfunctional or disfigured teeth. Veneers can correct most anomalies of the teeth with minimally invasive methods on an outpatient basis. They provide one unified solution to multiple aesthetic troubles.
Dental Veneers Are Stain Resistant
While natural teeth stain over time due to certain foods and beverages or lifestyle choices such as smoking, porcelain veneers maintain their color indefinitely. Patients can enjoy a brighter smile for the duration of the life of the laminates. This saves patients from costly bleaching treatments, special whitening toothpaste, and the sensitivity they can cause.
Dental Veneers Are Durable
Porcelain veneers are expected to last for 15 years or longer and often surpass the life of necessary dental work such as crowns or fillings. While other people’s teeth will face wear and tear over time, porcelain veneers will maintain their appearance. Unlike natural teeth, veneers will not age with time.
Dental Veneers Treat Numerous Cosmetic Concerns
After dental laminates were developed, cosmetic dentistry took a huge step forward. Veneers can correct many different aesthetic issues, and cosmetic dentists can now offer patients better results than ever before. Here are some of the ways veneers can improve the look of the teeth:
- Reduce gaps between teeth
- Correct misaligned or crooked teeth
- Repair a chipped tooth or fractures caused by conditions like tooth grinding
- Improve overall shape and size
- Brighten and whiten tooth color with stain-resistant porcelain
Dental Laminates are a Non-Surgical Procedure
Some tooth restorations, like dental implants, require dental surgery, while porcelain veneers offer surface corrections without surgery. There is no extensive downtime or recovery time. Patients will notice an immediate improvement and a beautiful smile after their procedure. Porcelain veneers also bypass many of the risks of dental surgery.
Dental Laminates Require Little Maintenance
One of the greatest advantages of having veneers fixed to the teeth is that patients do not need to follow special dental care instructions to keep their teeth looking great. Patients should maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily and scheduling semi-annual check-ups for their veneers.
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The Porcelain Veneer Process
To have their veneers created, Bliss Dental patients must visit the Kendall area office so the provider can get an impression of their teeth. The provider may clean or polish the teeth beforehand to ensure that tooth surfaces are properly cast, without any debris like food affecting the casting. The provider will submit the patient’s impressions to a dental laboratory where a team will create the porcelain shells, which can take a week or longer. The veneers will be created to fit over the chosen teeth with some extra material for shaping.
The next step is the tooth preparation process, which removes a thin layer of enamel, or the outer covering of the tooth. Some patients may require local anesthesia for this step. Removing some of the enamel ensures a more natural appearance. This allows the veneer to be situated flat on the tooth structure and align properly with the gum tissue. The material removed is typically equivalent to the thickness of the veneer, so there is no significant difference in the thickness of the tooth following treatment with newer laminates.
Once Dr. Gaertner completes the tooth preparation process, he can apply temporary veneers to the teeth with removable glue. The bond is significantly weaker for the temporary veneers than for the permanent bonding, and patients must take care when brushing their teeth while they have the temporary veneers. Patients should avoid certain foods until the permanent veneers are placed. By wearing these temporary enhancements, patients can determine their aesthetic preferences, while still enjoying an improvement to their smile.
Second Appointment
When the permanent veneers are ready for placement, patients will schedule a second appointment to undergo the procedure. Then, the provider will remove the temporary veneers and fit the new veneers over each tooth to ensure an ideal fit. Dr. Gaertner can begin the process by using water-based glue so patients can test the newly created porcelain shells. He will make adjustments guided by the patient’s preferences and his own experience as a cosmetic dentist. He will then clean the teeth and fix each dental laminate into place over the corresponding tooth.
The results are instant, and patients will leave the Bliss Dental office with a renewed, beautiful smile. Dr. Gaertner will ensure the patient can properly floss, and he will clear all glue and dental debris from the teeth.
Reasons your veneers need replacing
If the veneering composite is not properly fitted, it can cause germs and particles to enter the gap between your natural tooth and the composite. This can lead to severe dental problems if left untreated.
The Veneer Has Been Scratched or Damaged
Porcelain veneers are extremely durable, but they can still crack if they are damaged by an accident or injury. If this occurs, they need to be repaired so that your natural tooth enamel doesn’t get damaged.
Decay Occurs Naturally in Teeth
You may be able to hide some of the problems by covering the front part of your tooth, but there will always be a small gap between the veneer and the natural tooth. If decay or buildup occurs around the gum line, the underlying tooth will need repair, and the veneer will eventually need to be replaced.
Tooth Staining of Neighboring Teeth
While veneers are made so that you can keep your white, bright smile, the neighboring teeth might not be as lucky. Over time, they can get stained, causing a noticeable difference. To fix this problem, the veneers would need to be replaced to make them match again.
Cost of Dental Veneers
If you consult a cosmetic dentist, they can estimate the total price for the treatment. Choosing only one or two veneer treatments instead of a full mouth restoration might save you money. If you move forward with the entire procedure, you will likely have temporary veneers until they can be removed. The cost of dental veneering varies depending on the restoration material. Porcelain resins are the most expensive, composite veneers are less expensive than porcelains, and gold veneers are even cheaper than composite resin veneers.
Dental Veneers Expectations
Your provider can usually perform the dental laminate treatment in two appointments over a span of six weeks. The appointments are comprehensive and may take several days to complete. Dental clinics typically feature amenities that may include sedatives and audio/visual distractions. Dental spas even provide massage and other relaxation techniques to help you feel at ease.
The diagnostic and exam phases are vital as they identify any oral health issues that the provider must attend to before veneering.
Your dentist will use a color guide to help you choose the right tooth shade. Digital imaging technology can provide a glimpse of your expected results. Before-and-after photos will show you examples of successful treatments. Once the diagnosis is complete and the custom design is ready, the veneer process will begin.
Recovery from the Dental Veneers Procedure and Aftercare
Regular visits to the dentist are essential for keeping healthy teeth and preventing tooth decay.
Aftercare is extremely important. If your chipped or fractured porcelains are not properly cared for, they may need to be replaced. Your dentist will inform you of the cost and additional time required to replace them.
To protect your gums, avoid hard foods like nuts or bones, and don’t use your teeth to open any packaging. Your dental hygienist may also give you advice about which foods can harm your teeth.
After your appointment, brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. Be sure to use a gentle toothbrush and toothpaste. The chance of staining your teeth with foods or drinks after the procedure will be greatly reduced. However, if you have any alcohol, caffeine, or sugary beverages within an hour before your appointment, then you may want to avoid brushing for at least two hours after the procedure.
Risks of Dental Veneers
The most common risks associated with dental veneers are:
- Tooth sensitivity due to enamel removal in preparation for the veneer placement.
- Discoloration of the teeth surrounding the veneer.
- Potential damage or misalignment if the veneer is not properly fitted.
- Chipping or cracking of the porcelain material.
- Potential for bacteria to accumulate, causing gum disease.
- Potential for the veneer to become loose or dislodge over time.
You can avoid the potential risks associated with dental veneers by following your dentist’s instructions. It is also important to follow a healthy diet and regular dental hygiene routine to maintain your smile.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2015
Why Choose Dr. Gaertner of Bliss Dental?
- As the son of a dentist, Dr. Gaertner‘s passion for dentistry began at an early age. Following high school, Dr. Gaertner attended Nova Southeastern University in South Florida, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and then graduated with his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. Dr. Gaertner has practiced dentistry in both the United States and his home country of Belgium and now calls the Miami area home.
- He practices a variety of dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry, smile makeovers, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, root canal treatments, and Invisalign. Dr. Gaertner has also integrated the use of dental lasers and Botox injections into his state-of-the-art dental and oral care practice.
- Bliss Dental is a full-service facility offering top-notch, compassionate care and providing services ranging from routine dental care and endodontics to cosmetic and restorative dentistry that enhance patients’ smiles.