Porcelain Veneers

At Sanders Family Dentistry, watching patients discover a brilliant new smile highlights our days. Veneers can transform a smile dramatically, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth, or help teeth that seem rotated suddenly appear straight. While it sounds dramatic, only the stunning visual outcome is surprising. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.

Veneers display the ultimate in dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. Like a contact lens, these paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But don't be fooled by the thin characteristics of this material. Many unique features can be incorporated into the ceramics, replicating any look you want to create.

While veneers provide a conservative way to repair bad teeth, the steps behind the process require a high level of training to produce accurately. So what's involved in bringing a smile like this to life?

Good Planning Paves The Way

Careful planning of your veneers is vital to a successful outcome. Models, photographs, and digital x-rays allow you and Dr. Sanders to create a perfect blueprint to direct your case from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can't be compromised. He will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and a number of other factors.

The Next Steps

Once Dr. Sanders plans your case, usually two appointments leave you with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted over by a master lab technician. Dr. Sanders provides all the information to a specialized lab that's needed to create a masterpiece.

Dr. Sanders also produce acrylic temporary restorations that mimic the veneers, worn for about three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and allow further input regarding the appearance of your upcoming smile.

Delivering The Magic

After hours of custom craftwork in the lab, you'll return for a second appointment. Dr. Sanders will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. He will then go through several precise steps to bond the thin veneers to the outer surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find Sanders Family Dentistry!