One front tooth is darker than its neighbors. Another has a fine, but obvious, crack. Otherwise, your smile is healthy, but you think constantly about those defects. At North Park Family Dental in Grand Rapids, MI, Dr. Robert Dame is the dentist to see for beautiful and realistic porcelain veneers, customized shells of premium ceramic. They just might help your smile.
What is a porcelain veneer?
Also called a dental laminate, a porcelain veneer is a super-thin piece of ceramic, shaped and colored to cover the front of a chipped, stained, misshapen or otherwise marred tooth. Dr. Robert Dame uses veneers as part of individualized cosmetic treatment plans. This highly trained dentist in Grand Rapids, MI, permanently glues veneers on the front side of flawed teeth. The adhesive is color-matched to your natural enamel and hardened with curing light for a long-lasting bond.
Porcelain veneers are one of today's most popular cosmetic dental treatments, reports the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They are considered a lifelike and permanent refurbishment because Dr. Dame must resurface your enamel to ensure a solid bond between the porcelain and the tooth. Therefore, says Dear Doctor magazine, veneers are not reversible.
Installation and care
Dr. Dame will inspect your teeth and gums to confirm your smile is healthy enough for veneers. If it is, he'll resurface the teeth, take oral impressions, and place temporary veneers so you leave the office with a complete smile.
Then, over the next week or so, a trusted dental lab will create your beautiful porcelain veneers. On your return visit to North Park Family Dental, your dentist will remove the temporaries and install the permanent veneers.
Expect an adjustment period of about one week. Most patients report that their bite and soft oral tissues feel comfortable and natural quickly. The improvement in your personal appearance will definitely "wow" you.
Regarding oral hygiene, simply brush and floss as you normally do, and see Dr. Dame twice a year for your routine examination and hygienic cleaning. Veneers are stain resistant and durable; however, they can chip if you grind your teeth or place excessive forces on them with foods that are too hard or extra-sticky (caramels, ice, peanut brittle). So, just be gentle with your stunning, new smile.
Contact us
Why not call North Park Family Dental for a consultation? Come prepared with your ideas for improving your teeth. If porcelain veneers are the best option, you'll be smiling in no time! Phone Dr. Dame's office team in Grand Rapids, MI, at (616) 361-7265.