Dental Services

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.

Before Porcelain Veneers

After Porcelain Veneers

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these maladies, simply and quickly, to help you achieve a beautiful smile!

Ask us about gettting procelain veneers in Morgan Hill, CA, 408.778.3384.

Will they look like normal teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth.

 How durable are porcelain veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade. Dr. Moulthrop will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

The Procedure

This procedure will require two appointments:

Diagnosis and treatment planning:

You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Dr. Moulthrop will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile.

Preparation:

The first appointment will take one to two hours, depending upon the units to be prepared for veneers.. Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the added thickness. Approximately one half of a millimeter of tooth if removed. This may require little or no local anesthesia.

Then an impression is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. Dr. Moulthrop will fabricate a clear vacuum formed retainer to decrease tooth sensitivity and to able the patient to continue to function at the patients own schedule. The "lab time" will be approximatly 2 1/2 weeks.

Bonding:

At the time of your second appointment, Dr. Moulthrop will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check their fit and color. At this point the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is determined, and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. A special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to harden the cement. This appointment takes approximately one to two hours.

Care and follow up:

Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks.

Maintenance of your new Veneers:

1. Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by brushing and flossing. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best esthetic success of your veneer
2. You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer. This is due to the amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate after one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists please call the office.
3. If you are a known clencher (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. Dr. Moulthrop may recommend a soft night guard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep.

We hope that your new veneers fulfill your esthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.