Do you long for a whiter, brighter, more beautiful smile? If so, a Smile Makeover may be what you need. A Smile Makeover can improve your smile, but it can also improve your life.

Did you know…?

• Virtually all Americans (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset.
• 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.
• Three-quarters (74%) of adults feels an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chances for career success.
• Smiling causes the nervous system to produce a hormone called “cerebral morphine” that is known to make you feel better.

While Smile Makeovers can be comprised of several different procedures, the most significant of these procedures are porcelain restorations called Veneers. Porcelain veneers are used to cover and restore the teeth, and they can help change the size, shape, color and overall look of your teeth. Veneers are seamless and they are virtually undetectable even when viewed from mere inches away. Veneers do not stain, and, with good home care and routine dental visits, can last for many years to come.

In a recent study conducted on behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), participants were asked: “What is the first thing you notice in a person’s smile?”. A few of the most common responses were: straightness, whiteness and color of teeth, cleanliness of teeth, and the sparkle of the smile. By using porcelain veneers as a part of your smile makeover, you can achieve the beautiful, healthy looking smile you desire. If you are interested in more information about veneers, please read our question and answer section below. You can also visit our Smile Makeover gallery to view some of our before and afters and see for yourself the difference veneers have already made in the lives of so many of our patients.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are thin, semi-translucent porcelain laminates that are permanently bonded to the front portion your teeth. While veneers not suitable for every patient, they are typically the most aesthetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions involving the front teeth. Some of conditions that can be addressed and corrected by veneers include:

• Discolored, Yellow, or Stained Teeth that are resistant to whitening
• Broken or chipped teeth
• Gaps or spaces between teeth known as Diastemas
• Old, stained, unsightly fillings
• Crooked teeth

Are there any Advantages and Benefits to having Veneers?
There are many advantages and benefits to having veneers as opposed to other types of restorations or procedures.

• A complete smile makeover can be completed in just a few appointments
• Veneers can be used to restore your smile in a very healthy, “natural” looking way
• Veneers are generally the most aesthetic option for restoring teeth in the front of your mouth
• Only a very conservative amount of tooth structure is removed during the procedure
• Porcelain veneers are the most biocompatible material that can be used next to the gum tissue
• Veneers can address multiple issues that cannot be corrected by other procedures alone such as orthodontics and whitening

How are Veneers different from Bonding or Crowns?

For several years, a resin filling material known as bonding was used for several years to cover the front surface of teeth. Now, because bonding is not as strong or natural looking as porcelain, it is typically only used to fill in small surfaces or cavities and repair small chips in teeth. A full porcelain crown is used when a tooth has been previously treated with a root canal or when a substantial amount of tooth structure has been lost or decayed.

How are Porcelain Veneers done?

Once you have decided to move forward with your smile makeover, we will take dental records and photographs of your existing smile. From this information, we will begin working with you to design your new smile. Once this design has been created, the teeth are prepared for the veneers and an impression is taken. This impression is then sent to a lab where each porcelain veneer is custom made to the exact specifications created by you and the dentist. At this appointment, you can say goodbye to your old smile and hello to a preview of your new one because today you will receive your “Prototype Smile”. Your prototype smile is a beautiful set of temporaries that you will wear until your final veneers are fabricated. Unlike any other cosmetic surgery procedure, the prototype smile allows you to evaluate what you like or don’t like about your newly designed smile. You can gather input from your friends and family and thoroughly evaluate the new shape and size of your teeth as well as the way they function. Changes can be made while you are wearing your prototype smile to ensure that your final smile makeover looks exactly the way you want. With this technique there are no surprises and the final result is nothing less than spectacular. Once your veneers have been fabricated, the prototype smile is removed, and your final veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth. You will leave that day with the smile of your dreams and a new lease on life.

If you would like more information about veneers or would like to schedule a complimentary smile consultation,
please call our office at 480.860.0092.