Porcelain Veneers: A Smile Makeover

For many years, the only option to enhance a smile with minor imperfections – one showing wear, discoloration, small gaps and even chipped teeth – was crowns. But today, when you are looking for a brighter, whiter and more even smile, Drs. Hochberg and Diora offer an excellent alternative – Porcelain Veneers. Unlike dental crowns, a traditional veneer requires only a minimal amount of tooth structure, usually less than a millimeter, to be removed. This provides the small amount of space needed for the veneer to be adhered to the visible tooth surface.

Are Veneers right for me?

As with any treatment option, it is important to let us know what is concerning to you. Many patients have a great smile but have a particular area they’d like to enhance. Everyone’s personal preferences are different and we want to explore your aesthetic goals and expectations. After examination and taking intra-oral images, we will review the photos together. We’ll discuss how the new veneers will look color-wise in comparison to the surrounding teeth. Sometimes we recommend tooth whitening as a first step. Often times, brightening the surrounding teeth allows us to better blend the color between your natural teeth and you’re your new veneers – especially if a whiter smile is your goal.

How are Porcelain Veneers made?

We will take an impression of the tooth, or teeth, which will be forwarded to our laboratory. Combining CAD-CAM technology to formulate a strong ceramic undersurface, our master ceramist then meticulously and artistically builds up very thin layers of porcelain by hand based on each patient’s individualized customized color. Once completed, the veneer will mimic the appearance of a natural tooth with depth of color, translucence and natural luster.

How long does this treatment take?

After Dr. Hochberg or Dr. Diora has discussed your options and determined that veneers are right for you, we will take impressions at your next visit. About two to three weeks later you will return, once the veneers are back from our dental lab, and we will try them in before they are permanently bonded. It’s important that you are happy with their appearance and we are confident that the fit and color is as desired. If any modifications are needed, they are resent to the lab. Otherwise, the new veneers are bonded to the surface of your teeth with a dental adhesive and ‘cured’ in place with a special light. With only two or three visits you will have a Smile to Smile About!