Get a Beautiful and Bright Smile with Veneers: Insights from a Forest Glen Dentist

Porcelain veneers by a dentist in Forest Glen, Chicago

Are you looking for a teeth whitening solution to remove stains and restore your beautiful smile in the Forest Glen neighborhood of Chicago? Even though some people can experience a slight improvement through a teeth whitening approach, another effective option to get rid of stains is to use porcelain veneers.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are fine shells of ceramic material that are bonded onto the front of a tooth. They are used to mask discolorations, brighten teeth, and to improve the overall aesthetic of one’s smile. They are a great restorative choice that can significantly improve the appearance of your teeth.

When is a porcelain veneer restoration recommended?

Porcelain veneers may be recommended by your dentist for the following reasons:

  • When you are looking for an alternative to dental crowns.
  • When you want to quickly treat severe teeth stains and discolorations.
  • When you want to fix the appearance of your slightly misaligned, crooked, or rotated teeth.
  • For the repair of old crowns and bridgework under certain specific situations.
  • For the elimination of gaps between teeth.

Can porcelain veneers get stained due to extended use — especially with the use of tea, coffee, red wine, or tobacco products?

A major advantage of using porcelain veneers as opposed to cosmetic dental bonding materials is that the porcelain veneer’s surface is made of — you guessed it — porcelain. Since porcelain is a type of ceramic, it is nonporous with non-fading permanent color. Hence, a porcelain veneer’s surface is extremely resistant to stains.

How is it done?

The porcelain veneer procedure is fairly simple. From the initial consultation to the completion, you can expect to visit your Forest Glen dentist at least three or four times.

In the diagnostic step, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your mouth, including all the necessary X-rays, analysis of your bite, analysis of the proportions of your teeth forming the esthetic zone, incisal guidance, and canine rise. A diagnostic wax-up will be made of the finished smile so you can give your input and tell your dentist how you want your smile to look. The wax-up makes this part of the process easier for the patient, as well as for the dentist and the lab technician. The more you can tell your dentist about how you want the finished product to look, the easier it is for your dentist to deliver exactly what you want.

In the next step, your dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers. The teeth will be shaped in accordance with the diagnostic wax-up. Some of your tooth structure (0.5mm-0.7mm) will be removed and replaced by a veneer. A very precise impression will be made of your teeth and will be sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of your veneers. This can take about two or three weeks to be completed.

The next step is the bonding of veneers to your teeth. First, your dentist will place the veneers on your teeth to see how they fit, and to get a sense of the shade or color. At this time, they will ask that you view it and provide your input on the aesthetic results, especially the color.

Contact a Forest Glen Dentist About Getting Veneers

If you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneers in Forest Glen, Chicago, and how they can enhance your smile, please contact Dr. Ziols and the team at Smile Innovations today. You can call us at 773.763.1000 or email us at appointments@smileinnovationschicago.com to schedule an initial appointment and further discuss your options.