Porcelain veneers are thin, custom made shells that are constructed of tooth colored materials. They are designed to cover the front surface of the tooth, in order to enhance its appearance and give you the brilliant, white smile you’ve always dreamed of. Porcelain veneers can help restore or camouflage damaged, discolored teeth, or teeth that are misshapen or misaligned. They are extremely durable stain resistant, making them a very popular solution for patients who are seeking a quick and effective smile restoration alternative to crowns. Veneers, unlike crowns, offer a natural tooth appearance without having  to extensively shape the tooth or remove a significant amount of the tooth’s surface prior to application.

Porcelain veneers can be used to treat a variety of common dental issues, including:

•Discolored or stained teeth
•Unwanted gaps or uneven spacing of teeth
•Worn or chipped teeth
•Minor tooth crowding
•Teeth that are misshapen or misaligned
•Teeth that are too small or large for the patient’s mouth

Getting porcelain veneers typically requires 2 visits. Veneers are created from an impression, or mold, of your teeth that is taken in-office, before being sent away to a professional dental laboratory, where every porcelain veneer is custom-made to match the shape and color that will best fit the natural appearance of your teeth.

On your second visit, your teeth are lightly buffed and the front surface of the teeth are shaped to prepare them for the veneers, and to allow for the small thickness of veneers. Little or no anesthesia will be required. The porcelain veneers are then gently fitted and bonded onto your tooth’s surface with special bonding cements. On occasion a specialized light may be utilized to harden and set the bond onto the tooth and to secure the veneer in place.

Porcelain veneers can last between 5 to 10 years before having to be replaced, and are an effective way to change the appearance of your teeth while adding strength to the structure of the tooth. Call or email our West Los Angeles dental offices to schedule your first appointment with Dr. Larry Picard DDS. He and his friendly, trained staff can help you to revitalize your smile with porcelain veneers.