Are Clear Aligners Right for Me?
There was a time when orthodontic treatment was mostly for kids and all about metal braces. Then, along came clear aligners. Read on to learn if clear aligners are right for you.
Can Veneers Help my Crooked Teeth?
Perfect teeth are two words that are more like wishful thinking for most of us. If only. The vast majority of us mere mortals have some imperfection like crooked, chipped, or stained teeth. But have you ever met someone with a stellar off-the-runway smile, and all you do is stare and get preoccupied with wishing that you had a beautiful smile just like that one? If only it were that easy, right?
It can be, says our own Dr. Marcano here at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Think dental veneers. In this blog, Dr. Marcano explains what veneers are and how they can transform a less than perfect smile into one that’s a head-turner.
What are veneers?
Let’s dive into this topic by first defining what veneers are and how they can enhance your smile. A veneer is a thin shell or piece of composite resin or porcelain covering up the front surface of teeth to hide imperfections underneath like misaligned or crooked teeth and discolored, chipped, gapped or oddly-shaped teeth.
Although it’s possible to get one or two veneers placed, patients typically have between six and eight installed in the upper arch where your teeth show the most when you smile. If this is starting to sound a lot like something that a Hollywood makeup artist does, you’re not too far off the mark. The use of dental veneers dates back to the late 1920s when California dentist Charles L. Pincus, DDS, tweaked the smiles of movie stars like Shirley Temple, James Dean, and Judy Garland.
Only two appointments away from your dream smile
The good news is that you don’t have to be a movie star to look like one with veneers. Here at Orlando Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, the process to get veneers happens over two appointments, which take place one to two weeks apart. Initially, we do a thorough exam and X-rays, if needed, to ensure that your gums, teeth, and jaw are healthy and strong.
If we clear you as a good candidate for veneers, we give you a local anesthetic and remove a thin layer of the enamel from the teeth getting veneers. We complete the final part of the first appointment by taking a digital impression of your teeth to ensure proper fit. We also color match your surrounding teeth. We send all this information to a dental laboratory that fabricates your custom veneers.
The ultimate smile do-over
Once your veneers return from the laboratory, you come in for your second and final appointment. Your provider adheres or glues the veneers to your teeth by placing a light-sensitive resin between the original tooth and veneer. Your provider uses a special light, which cures or hardens the bond. After one final check to make sure each veneer fits correctly and comfortably, off you go to enjoy your new, beautiful smile.
Natural-looking and long-lasting
As if finally getting the smile you’ve always dreamed about isn’t enough, your veneers are so natural looking that you’ll almost forget that they aren’t your natural teeth. But don’t worry, we won’t tell if you don’t tell. Plus, with proper oral care like brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for routine dental examinations and professional cleanings, your veneers can last about 10 to 15 years.
If you are ready to get your runway smile and want to know if veneers are right for you, contact Orlando Center For Cosmetic Dentistry for a consultation. Schedule your appointment by clicking the online booking tool or calling the office today at 407-855-1471.
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