VENEERS

A porcelain veneer is a very thin shell of porcelain that is bonded on the front side of a tooth. These minimally invasive restorations can straighten crooked teeth, lighten teeth that cannot be bleached, and correct misshapen teeth. Since the veneers are sent to a lab to me made, they can be made and perfected while you are at home! Because of the minimal amount of tooth reduction necessary for a veneer, it is an easy, safe way to change your smile.

The procedure is comprised of two appointments, once the type of veneers have been selected. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared. Impressions are taken of the teeth so we can send them to the dental laboratory, here the veneers will be made. We will make acrylic temporaries which you will wear until the porcelain veneers are cemented. It usually takes about two weeks for the lab to make the veneers. The second appointment is when the veneers are cemented. Sometimes there are some minimal adjustments that must be made.

FILLINGS (INLAYS AND ONLAYS)

The mouth can generate tremendous forces during mastication or chewing. This is the reason that many composite fillings fail when they are placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. While silver, amalgam fillings are harder than composite fillings, thus not cracking under pressure, they tend to cause the teeth to crack instead. The alternative to a composite or amalgam filling is a lab processed filling. The benefit is that the lab processed filling can be made of superior materials, can be adapted perfectly to the tooth, among many other benefits. An inlay is a lab processed, one surface filling, such as on the top of the tooth. An onlay is a lab processed inlay that provides bracing around the sides of the tooth. This is an ideal restoration as it helps to prevent the tooth from splitting or cracking. It is almost like a little hat.

The inlay or onlay procedure is comprised of two appointments. At the first appointment, the tooth is prepared. The amount of tooth structure removed is dictated by the material used to restore the tooth. The impressions are taken of the teeth so we can send them to the dental laboratory, where the fillings are made. We will make an acrylic temporary for you to wear while your filling is being made. It usually takes about two weeks for the lab to make the restoration. The second appointment is when the filling is cemented. Sometimes there are some minimal adjustments that must be made.

CROWNS

Lastly, a crown is like the continuation of an onlay as it wraps around the entire tooth, extending to the gum line. It is almost like a little hat with ear flaps to the gum line.

Porcelain is an excellent and superior alternative to composite bonding. It is more durable and lifelike than the less expensive composite bonding.

The crown procedure is comprised of two appointments. At the first appointment, the tooth is prepared. The amount of tooth structure removed is dictated by the material used to restore the tooth. Impressions are taken of the teeth so we can send them to the dental laboratory, where the crowns are made. We will make an acrylic temporary for you to wear while your crown is being made. It usually takes about two weeks for the lab to make the restoration. The second appointment is when the crown is cemented. Sometimes there are some minimal adjustments that must be made.

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