Time for a smile change? Get your best possible smile with one of today's most sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatments--porcelain 
veneers. Dr. Robert Dame offers veneers at North Park Family Dental in Grand Rapids, MI. Both he and his patients love how veneers disguise annoying smile flaws and make teeth stronger, too.
Details on porcelain veneers
Also called dental laminates, porcelain veneers improve the size, color, shape, and alignment of teeth marred by small defects such as :
- Narrow gaps
- Crowding
- Chips
- Cracks
- Stains too deep for professional teeth whitening (from tobacco, some pharmaceuticals, oral injury)
- Uneven length
- Odd shape (a peg-shaped lateral incisor is a common one)
Your Grand Rapids dentist cements veneers on the front side of selected teeth. He uses a color-matched cement and hardens it with dental light. Each veneer is custom-designed and custom-fabricated from fine dental ceramic or porcelain. This material is resilient and looks natural, having the shine and shade of real tooth enamel.
The veneer treatment
Dr. Dame carefully evaluates his prospective veneer patients with a complete oral examination and digital X-rays. He looks for dental and gingival (gum) health and sufficient tooth structure to support a laminate. If a tooth is too small or weak, your dentist may recommend a porcelain crown instead.
Additionally, you and Dr. Dame will discuss the look you wish to achieve. Oral impressions and specific instructions tell the dental technician how to craft each veneer. Next, Dr. Dame will resurface each tooth to receive a veneer by removing 1/2 millimeter of enamel. This quick process sometimes requires local anesthetic. Then, the doctor will cover the prepared teeth with temporary veneers so you have a functional, complete smile while you wait for your permanent laminates.
The final step involves removal of the temporary veneers and bonding the new ones onto your teeth. Dr. Dame uses just the right shade of cement and makes sure the laminates fit properly at the gum line and bite well with the opposite arch of teeth.
Caring for your new smile
Dr. Dame advises twice daily brushing and once a day flossing to keep your veneers bright and plaque-free. Also, you should avoid hard foods, because porcelain tends to be brittle and can chip or crack if you:
- Chew ice
- Bite open plastic packages
- Eat a lot of sticky foods such as caramels
In other words, just eat a healthy, sensible diet, and you and your veneers will be just fine. In fact, with routine check-ups and cleanings at North Park Dental, your enhanced smile should shine for many years.
Find out more
Why not look into porcelain veneers? Dr. Robert Dame and his team use veneers to help scores of people enjoy healthy, beautiful smiles and feel renewed confidence. Call today for a consultation, won't you? Phone (616) 361-7265.