Actual Palm Beach Smiles Porcelain Veneer Case
Porcelain Veneers and Smile Makeovers are all the rage in Palm Beach County. You have probably heard about them on TV. Porcelain Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front and sides of your teeth, carefully designed to improve their appearance.
Veneers are the way to a virtually instantaneous "Hollywood Smile," or our preference - "Palm Beach Smile!" In as few as two visits, you can transform a flawed smile into the smile you always wished you could have. Porcelain Veneers are often the main ingredient in Smile Makeovers.
I hope you find the following information helpful! All photos are of actual cases.
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With Porcelain Veneers, you can change the color of your teeth and make them as white as you want. Bleaching may also be an option. The trick is to not only make Porcelain Veneers white, but to make them look REAL at the same time. It's important to choose the right cosmetic dentist. More about choosing the right Cosmetic Dentist in Palm Beach County below!
The short answer is, "it depends." It depends on HOW crooked they are. In some cases, Palm Beach 6-Month Braces may be appropriate. In others traditional braces will be required. However, with mild crookedness, Porcelain Veneers may be a great solution. In this dramatic case, we were able to correct Richard's crooked and worn teeth with a combination of Porcelain Veneers and Porcelain Crowns.
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Porcelain Veneers can lengthen teeth very effectively. It's important to determine how the teeth got that way (worn down), and a night guard to prevent night grinding may be good insurance to protect your new Veneers. Here's a nice case that lengthened worn teeth:
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Porcelain Veneers can close gaps, too! Once again, it depends on how wide the spaces are. Every treatment approach has some limitations. Some cases may be better addressed with 6-Month Braces, or even a combination of 6-Month Braces and Porcelain Veneers. Here is a stunning case of closing spaces with Porcelain Veneers.
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When I see myself in the mirror, I can barely keep myself from smiling and enjoying the wonderful smile you helped me acquire. Thank you, Blanca Zeas |
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If you look in the local yellow pages, or even on the internet, it seems every dentist in Palm Beach County is a "cosmetic dentist." And, they all offer Porcelain Veneers, right? But, when it comes to Porcelain Veneers, not all dentists create them equally. Creating an entirely new smile requires skills on many levels. Besides clinical knowledge and experience, Porcelain Veneers, done well, require ARTISTRY.
Cosmetic Dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty. There isn't any such thing as a "board certified Cosmetic Dentist."
So, how can you figure out if you're at the right cosmetic dentist? It's simple, really. Just ask. Ask about experience. Ask about extra "hands-on" training or "continuing education" that the dentist may have completed that specifically focused on smile design and Porcelain Veneers.
And, this is very important: Ask to see photos of ACTUAL Porcelain Veneer cases done by the dentist. Any Cosmetic Dentist worth his or her salt MUST take photographs of his or her own cases. It's not optional. If the dentist can't show you photos of actual cases he or she has done, move on.
Look at the results carefully. Are the photos close enough and sharp enough to see the smile clearly? Do the results look natural? Do the Porcelain Veneers look like they "grew there?" Or, do they look fake?
You don't have to be stuck with unnatural and unattractive Porcelain Veneers. There's no need to be disappointed every day when you look in the mirror. As I mentioned in the section above, not all veneers are created equal. There is a type of veneer that is marketed heavily on television with the idea that no "drilling" is necessary. These are the type of veneer that most commonly look thick due to the shortcomings of the technique.
It is important to find the right cosmetic dentist for Porcelain Veneers that look natural and stunningly beautiful. Ideally, your veneers should look like you born with them. Your Porcelain Veneers can be redone to achieve the results you always wanted.
Look at the Porcelain Veneers in the super-close-up photo below. This is what separates the men from the boys, so to speak, in cosmetic dentistry. These look like real teeth. Close-up and sharply-focused photos like this leave nothing to the imagination. Either they look like they grew there, or they don't. This another actual case done by Dr. Barr at Palm Beach Smiles.
Details worth noticing in this case illustrated above:
Multiple colors / shades - Natural teeth are darker at the gumline and lighter towards the edges. Real teeth also have some translucent (clear) enamel near the edges.
Surface texture - Natural teeth aren't smooth and convex like a marble. They have texture that breaks up reflected light.
"Emergence profile" - The Porcelain Veneers look like they grew there. They emerge from the gumline with a smooth transition.
Here is a photo Dr. Barr took of some very pretty natural teeth. This photo demonstrates the same features Dr. Barr tries to create in his Porcelain Veneers. Notice the similarities in the visual details of these natural teeth with the restorations in the previous photo.
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Your first visit to Palm Beach Smiles may just be a consultation. A "meet & greet." At that time we can discuss whether you are a candidate for Porcelain Veneers. The next step is a complete examination that may include x-rays, models made from molds of your teeth, and a series of digital photos.
Your 1st treatment visit is the day we prepare your teeth to receive the Porcelain Veneers. We'll make sure you won't feel a thing! Temporary Veneers will be made and you will walk out with your new "trial smile." The temporary Veneers are a preview of your final Porcelain Veneers. In fact, they are the "blueprint" for your New Smile.
Your 2nd treatment visit is The Big Day! First, you will get to see the Porcelain Veneers in place prior to bonding for your approval. Once you approve of your New Smile, the Veneers will be permanently bonded to your teeth. You are now ready for your Hollywood audition! Or, perhaps the interview for your promotion or new job. Or, a very important date! J
In a nutshell, you treat them like you would your natural teeth. You brush and floss them like you should with your natural teeth. And, like with your natural teeth, we recommend you not chew on ice, use them as tools to open packages, strip wires, or cut fishing line. Yes... we know of people who do those things!
We recommend regular check-up and cleaning visits, of course.
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That's a great question. Of course, we have statistics. And, they show that Porcelain Veneers can last 15 - 20 years on average. But, statistics... Well, you know what they say about statistics! Many factors can affect the longevity of your Porcelain Veneers. Naturally, the care and skill of the dentist in placing them is a significant factor. How well you care for your teeth is another important factor. The condition of the teeth prior to the veneers and habits such as grinding your teeth at night will affect how long your Porcelain Veneers last, too.
Now... does that mean in 15 - 20 years ALL your Porcelain Veneers will suddenly fail? No. But, on an individual basis, some of them may need to be replaced over time.
You can call us at 561-736-2377 for a no-charge consultation. We are located at 650 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. (click link for map), Suite 1, Boynton Beach, Florida. Our dental office is easy to find at the intersection of I-95 and Boynton Beach Blvd.
You can email us by clicking here.
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