Achieve a Perfect Smile with Porcelain Veneers

At Williams Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Brandon, Florida, we see patients interested in rejuvenating their smiles daily. Cosmetic dental procedures were once only for the rich or famous but have become much more accessible and affordable in recent years. Porcelain veneers are one cosmetic procedure that can completely transform the smile’s look. Whether you are looking to fix a single broken tooth or are interested in a full smile makeover, dental veneers can help you with a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Why Patients in Brandon, Florida May Consider Dental Veneers?

There are many benefits to having a beautiful smile. Your smile is often one of the first things people notice about you. If you have teeth that are stained, cracked, misshapen, or unevenly spaced, you could give off the wrong impression on dates, in job interviews, or in any other social and professional situations. Beautiful, vibrant smiles give off a positive first impression. In fact, research has shown that people with attractive smiles are perceived as friendlier, happier, and more successful. 

What are Dental Veneers?

Think of dental veneers as custom-fabricated covers for your teeth. Veneers are made out of porcelain, a strong, durable material with a translucency similar to natural tooth enamel. When veneers adhere to the front of existing teeth, they can disguise a wide variety of imperfections, including:

• Cracks
• Chips
• Permanent stains
• Uneven lengths
• Gaps

The Porcelain Veneer Process

A beautiful, transformed smile takes time to achieve. Veneers become a permanent addition to your smile, so we pay close attention to detail and take the necessary time to ensure the results are beautiful and natural-looking.

• Step One: The Consultation

This initial appointment allows us to evaluate your teeth and listen to your concerns to determine if veneers are a good fit. If any of your teeth have decay or if you have gum disease, this will need to be treated before receiving veneers.

• Step Two: Preparation

To begin, the dentist will need to remove a small portion of the enamel (approximately 0.5 – 0.7mm) for the veneer to adhere to the teeth and not stick out. The next step is to use a shade guide to determine which color of porcelain to use for your veneers. If you are getting veneers on just one or two teeth, the shade will be chosen to closely match neighboring teeth. If you have veneers on all the teeth, we can determine what shade of porcelain you desire. After the trimming, we will take impressions to fabricate the veneers. The turnaround time on veneers is typically about two weeks. 

• Step Three: Evaluating the veneers

Once the veneers are complete, you will return to the office for final bonding. Before permanently attaching the veneers, we need to check the fit, shape, and color to ensure it is correct and make minor changes in the office itself.

• Step Four: Final Placement

Once you and the dentist are satisfied with the color and shape of the veneer, they can be permanently bonded into place. An acid etching gel is applied to the tooth to create a rough surface for the cement to bond. The gel is washed off after about 15-20 seconds, and a bonding agent can be applied to the tooth. The dentist will then apply the chosen color of cement on the inside of the veneer and then place it onto the tooth. A special curing light is used to complete the bond. 

• Step Five: The follow-up appointment

After about a week, you will return to the office for an evaluation to see how your gums are responding to the new veneers. If your veneers need any minor adjustments, they can be made at this time too. 

If you are in Brandon, Florida, and would like a dentist near you to explain more about the process or their cost, call us at (813) 560-0447.