The Heart of a Smile Makeover: Porcelain Veneers Placement By Mark J. Amidei D.D.S. on June 22, 2015

In terms of their natural appearance, longevity, and ability to transform nearly any smile, porcelain veneers are virtually unsurpassed among cosmetic dentistry treatments. This is why they are the cornerstone of most smile makeover treatment plans. At Delany Dental Care, our experienced cosmetic dentist Ira Shapira crafts veneers from the finest porcelain available to ensure that they hold up to the daily wear and tear that they must endure. However, they are also customized to complement surrounding natural teeth in terms of color, size, shape, and even texture so that they lok remarkably natural. Such a combination of strength and delicate beauty is rare.

Before our patients commit to porcelain veneers or any other treatment, they have an opportunity to meet with Dr. Shapira one-on-one for a confidential consultation. During this consultation, Dr. Shapira educates them about the treatment or treatments in which they are interested, and they have the chance to ask any questions and voice any concerns that they have. He explains to them the details of the porcelain veneers procedure at his Gurnee, IL practice. By the end of the consultation, they are able to make informed, confident decisions regarding their dental care.

Are porcelain veneers right for you? The best way to find out is to visit our practice for a consultation with our esteemed cosmetic dentist at your earliest convenience.

What are porcelain veneers?

Veneers are extremely thin, yet extraordinarily strong, sheets of medical-grade porcelain that are shaped to resemble the front surfaces of teeth. When bonded to the teeth, they conceal such cosmetic imperfections as chips, cracks, stains, and inconsistencies in shape, width, and length. Like enamel, porcelain is translucent, meaning that it allows some light to pass through its surface rather than reflecting all light. This is just one of the reasons that porcelain is more natural looking than most other dental restoration materials.

With good at-home oral hygiene habits and twice-a-year visits to the dentist as recommended by the American Dental Association, porcelain veneers can last for up to ten years; in some cases, they have lasted even longer than that. They can be placed by themselves or combined with other cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening as part of a comprehensive smile makeover plan.

The Porcelain Veneers Placement Procedure

Prior to the placement of porcelain veneers, a small amount of enamel must be removed from the teeth that are to be treated. This is necessary in order to accommodate the thickness of the veneers. In all, only about half a millimeter of enamel must be removed from each tooth. An impression is then taken of the teeth, which, along with precise specifications from Dr. Shapira, will be sent to a dental laboratory where the veneers will be created.

During a second visit to our practice, the veneers are tried on the teeth to ensure their fit and aesthetic compatibility with the surrounding teeth. If all is well, the previously prepared teeth are cleaned and roughened to create a good surface with which the veneers can bond. The veneers are then bonded into place, and the procedure is complete.