Porcelain Veneers: The Quick Fix-All Solution?
You’ve probably heard of porcelain dental veneers as the latest miracle cosmetic treatment for your teeth. The question is, do veneers really correct every dental problem and transform your smile in one fell swoop?
Veneers, the Cosmetic Miracle?
In short, it is true that a set of porcelain veneers can instantly improve any number of cosmetic flaws in just one or two office visits. While certain severe imperfections could require more extensive work, veneers can improve the appearance of problems such as:
- Discoloration beyond traditional whitening
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Misshapen or unevenly spaced teeth
- Teeth that are too long or too short
- Asymmetrical or worn teeth
- Slight crookedness
- Gapped teeth
Oral Health is no Quick Fix
While veneers can work wonders cosmetically, there is no shortcut to good oral health. You can’t place a veneer to cover up unsightly cavities, decay, or infected teeth. No matter what type of cosmetic treatments may be available, the most important part of your dental care is preventative oral hygiene.
Brushing after every meal and flossing at least once a day will go a long way to improving the appearance of your teeth. Keeping up with your biannual dental cleanings and exams can also make your teeth healthier and whiter. Following these simple steps will prevent a lot of the unsightly problems that patients try to fix with cosmetic procedures. Remember, oral health always comes first; cosmetic treatment is second.
The Dental Veneer Placement Process
Once you and your dentist have determined that your mouth is healthy and veneers are the best option, an impression will be taken of your mouth and teeth and sent to a dental lab. This mold will be used to custom-fabricate veneers that are similar to your natural teeth in size and shape. The porcelain will also be color-matched to your own teeth to ensure a natural appearance.
When the custom veneers are ready to go, a layer of enamel on the front of your teeth will be filed by the thickness of a fingernail to make room. This will ensure a natural fit. Then the veneers are simply cemented into place for a beautiful smile.
With proper care, the ultra-strong pressed porcelain will last up to twenty years! You will be able to use the veneers to chew and bite as you normally would, although chewing ice and hard candy is not recommended for veneers or natural teeth. Just pay the same attention to your veneers as you do the rest of your teeth, with proper oral hygiene, and your smile will be dazzling for many years to come.
Contact our office to ask about our cosmetic dental treatments, or find out more:
Simply Smiles Sarasota is your Florida source for the latest dentistry services. Set up your free dental consultation with Dr. Gekht today by calling 941-921-4654.
Dental Services from the Neolithic Era to Sarasota, Florida
Dental services, like medicine, have been practiced in some form for thousands of years. While it would be easy to assume that modern dental techniques have only been around within the last century, archaeology of ancient societies suggests that sophisticated dentistry has been in development for over 7000 years!
Treating Prehistoric Cavities
Modern dental drills weren’t invented until the late 1800s, but the concept of drilling out decayed or damaged tooth structure is much older. Excavations of Neolithic graveyards in Pakistan have revealed dental drills from as early as 7000 B.C. Flint drill tips were used in conjunction with wooden hand tools to chip away tooth structure. While no evidence of tooth fillings have been found in these ancient skeletons, the act of removing dental decay could have saved many an ancient tooth.
Ancient Dental Implants
One discovery that baffled scientists for years was ancient dental implants. The modern dental implant procedure wasn’t developed until the 1950′s, so when archaeologists uncovered a Mayan skeleton with seashells implanted into the jawbone, they weren’t quite sure what to make of it. It was assumed that the seashells must have been implanted after death, until it was determined that the living bone must have grown around the seashells to hold them in place.
Ancient Egyptians also installed dental implants using a sophisticated system of gold wires, while a soldier in ancient Rome was discovered with a prosthetic iron tooth implanted into the bone. Somehow, the ancient knowledge that living bone tissue could support and grow around a foreign object was lost for thousands of years.
Tooth Extraction in the Dark Ages
The Dark Ages were dark times for dentistry as well. Sophisticated dental techniques that had been developed in ancient Egypt and Rome were completely lost, and most dental problems were treated with a complete removal of the affected tooth. Since dentistry was not recognized as an official profession during this time period, the local barber would often perform dental procedures. Unfortunate patients with severe cavities or tooth infections found themselves at the mercy of a barber with forceps!
The Birth of Modern Dentistry
French physician Pierre Fauchard was one of the first to publish a book about dental procedures in the 1700′s. His writings established the dental science as it is used today. Known as the “Father of Modern Dentistry,” Fauchard wrote about dental treatments from tooth fillings and periodontal treatment to prosthodontics. Fauchard developed multiple surgical techniques to save teeth rather than the common method of extracting infected teeth.
Since Fauchard’s work pioneered dentistry as a respectable profession, dental techniques have developed into the sophisticated system we know today.
For a complete overview of the services we provide, see our dental services page. We offer cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening and veneers, as well restorative procedures like composite fillings and dental implants.
Contact us to find out more.
Simply Smiles Sarasota is your Florida source for the latest dentistry services. Set up your free dental consultation with Dr. Gekht today by calling 941-921-4654.
