What Are Porcelain Veneers?
At Erickson Dental, the way we like to describe porcelain veneers is akin to wearing glass slippers. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom crafted porcelain shells that cover your natural teeth to transform your smile completely. In most cases, porcelain veneers require minimal reshaping of the natural tooth, prior to permanently cementing the veneers.
Can Veneers Fix Crooked Teeth as an Alternative to Braces?
Veneers can help improve the appearance of crooked teeth. If the position of the original teeth compromises the long-term success of the veneers, then we will consult with the patient about how we can use orthodontics, including Invisalign, to help achieve the desired results prior to placing veneers. Teeth like to touch each other in up and down forces, and if these angles are disrupted, the chances of failure rate increases. We understand that patients are making an investment, and this is why a comprehensive approach is a top priority at Erickson Dental to create a superior outcome.
Are Veneers a Good Solution for Stained or Chipped Teeth From Years of Wear and Tear?
They certainly can be. When a new patient comes to our office, we complete a thorough exam to ensure we have accurate records and history. We take time to get to know our patients to learn about their goals for each smile makeover. If teeth are excessively worn down, we want to identify what is causing that. Is it because they clench/grind at night? If so, we do not want patients to make a financial investment in veneers if there is a higher risk of cracking/fracturing their veneers. In some cases, full coverage crowns would provide a better long-term solution.
How Do Veneers Work?
At the initial consultation, we complete an exam and discuss your smile goals, taking a series of pictures. When crafting a beautiful smile, we take the entire facial structure and angles into consideration to create a natural, flowing appearance that exceeds the patient’s expectations. Full-mouth impressions, and digitally scanning of the teeth is completed to create a custom “wax up” of the veneers. We complete a formal consultation to review the wax up together and identify any tweaks or desired changes. Until the patient is fully satisfied with the wax up, we do not move forward. Each veneer is created with a custom shade to achieve a harmonious blend with the surrounding teeth without veneers. The final steps include reshaping the teeth to prepare for the veneers, applying temporary veneers while the final veneers are created, and then the permanent veneers are applied.
Do Most Patients Think the Financial Investment in Porcelain Veneers Is Worth It?
We have found that our patients are extremely satisfied with their results. We believe in a thorough and measured approach to design the appearance of the veneers. Every cosmetic case at Erickson Dental is tailored to the patient’s unique features and expectations to avoid creating generic-shaped veneers. Our patients have often relayed to us that they have increased self-confidence and the overall appearance of their smile that has been life changing.
Dr. Jason Erickson, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, knew he wanted to become a dentist since childhood. After earning his D.D.S. from the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Dentistry, he moved to Dallas and joined a practice that eventually became Erickson Dental. Dr. Erickson has combined a range of dental expertise with his caring and empathetic nature to provide superior dentistry.
Dr. Kasim Naqvi grew up in Milton Keynes, England. He and his family later moved to Dallas where he completed his undergraduate education before attending the LECOM School of Dental Medicine in Florida. The opportunity to provide relief and comfort to a patient is one of the core values of Dr. Naqvi’s philosophy. Dr. Naqvi enjoys learning about ways to incorporate the latest technology in dentistry to further enhance a patient’s experience.
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