Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of the teeth to give you a bright, white, even and attractive smile. Commonly made of composite (plastic) or porcelain, veneers make it possible to correct a variety of color and shape problems. Veneers can:

Reduce or eliminate spaces between the teeth (diastemas)
Repair broken or chipped teeth
Whiten dark teeth, yellow teeth, permanently stained teeth or otherwise discolored teeth
Correct misshapen or crooked teeth
Close small holes or pits in teeth
Improve the appearance of teeth that are too small, too big, or uneven

What are the different kinds of veneers?

There are two kinds of veneers:

Composite or direct veneers, where a special plastic is molded and bonded directly to the tooth in one appointment; and
Porcelain or indirect veneers, where thin shells are custom-made in a lab and applied to the teeth. These require two appointments: one for taking an impression, and a second for preparing the natural teeth and placing the veneers once they have been created. Lumineers are a new kind of porcelain veneer that are so thin they don't require any tooth-buffing before placement (see below).

What are the steps of porcelain veneer placement?

At your first appointment, Dr. Radcliffe takes an impression of your teeth so he can create veneers that are appropriate for your individual smile.

During your second appointment, the natural teeth that will be receiving veneers are "buffed" or "shaved" a very small amount to compensate for the added thickness of the veneers, so afterwards your teeth are the same size as they were before. Dr. Radcliffe holds the veneers to your teeth to confirm that they are the correct shape, size and color, and then bonds the veneers in place with the help of an etching solution and a special light. The veneers will last for about 10-15 years. Oftentimes, it is possible to "try on" your veneers first with a temporary cement to see how they will look. Ask Dr. Radcliffe about this option.

Why choose veneers over crowns?

Veneers offer several advantages over crowns; veneers are more durable, often do not require much (if any) removal of the natural tooth material, and will not stain or change color—and they tend to cost less.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

The filling of dental cavities with unsightly metal alloys has been used throughout the history of dentistry. Contemporary fillings, however, are usually “tooth” colored and practically invisible to the untrained eye. These tooth-colored fillings can be used to replace old and worn silver amalgam, gold or other metal fillings for aesthetic purposes.

These new substances have a white hue and can be made from several different origins such as composite resin, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and porcelain ceramics. These materials are very resilient and long lasting in addition to their visual advantages, but can become discolored over time. Just like metal fillings, these can be set and cured within one visit to the dentist, although they may take a little bit longer.

The costs are similar to metallic alloys; they tend to be cheaper than precious metals but more expensive than common metals.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening with professional-strength mouth trays takes place in the office. First, your teeth will be examined and cleaned to make sure there are no cavities, loose fillings, gum problems or other issues that may be exacerbated by the bleaching process. Dr. Radcliffe will make a custom-fit mouth tray for your teeth. Then the bleaching gel, a hydrogen peroxide solution, is applied to your teeth in the tray.

Advantages of in-office tooth whitening over take-home whitening include:

Professional supervision
Fast
Safe and simple
No sensitivity