What’s the first feature a person is likely to notice about you at an initial meeting? It’s the condition of your teeth. Therefore, if you have smile imperfections, you can be left feeling inadequate and less confident. Your cosmetic dentist says there are two effective ways to address your flaws – porcelain veneers and Lumineers. Learn about both procedures as you read on!
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Instead of waiting months or even years to complete treatment with traditional orthodontics, porcelain veneers provide a way to mask gaps, crookedness, crowding and misalignment in just a few visits to your dentist. Made from thin ceramic shells, the veneers fit directly over your teeth.
The process starts with the specialist removing a small amount of enamel, which is necessary for the veneers to fit properly. Then, bite impressions are taken and sent to a lab that specializes in creating high-quality ceramic fixtures.
While waiting on your veneers to be fabricated, you’ll be fitted with a temporary set of shells. Then, when the final set of fixtures are ready, you’ll be invited back to your cosmetic dentist to have the veneers bonded to your teeth.
Lumineers, an Alternative to Veneers
Lumineers are similar to porcelain veneers in that they are crafted from high-quality ceramics. The primary difference between the two processes, though, is that the placement of veneers is permanent while Lumineers don’t require any alterations to your teeth. Therefore, the process is reversible.
The specialist will use the latest in dental imaging to develop a treatment plan tailor-made to your smile preferences. Like the porcelain veneers procedure, the treatment plan will be sent to a special lab.
When you arrive for the final placement, your cosmetic dentist will use a perfectly-shaded composite resin to attach the Lumineers, leaving you with a rejuvenated look.
Treat Yourself!
As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a revamped smile. For help determining whether veneers or Lumineers are best for you, reach out to your cosmetic dentist to schedule a consultation.
While visiting, this is what you can expect to happen:
- You’ll be thoroughly examined to make sure the care you receive won’t compromise your oral health.
- The specialist will explain the possible procedures, along with answering any questions you may have.
- You’ll be able to actively participate in the development of your treatment plan.
After receiving cosmetic dental care, you’ll have no trouble meeting new people, exuding confidence and making the perfect impact!
About the Author
Dr. Dennis E. Stanbury is a graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. To stay abreast of the latest changes in dentistry, he regularly attends continuing education courses. As a further testament to his commitment to excellence, Dr. Stanbury maintains professional affiliation with such organizations as the Texas Dental Association and the Smith County Dental Society. He beautifies smiles with veneers and Lumineers at Stanbury Dental, and he can be reached for more information through his website.