Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a perfect example of how cosmetic dentistry can make a big difference in the appearance of your smile. These wafer-thin shells of porcelain are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to mask imperfections and revamp your smile. In recent years, porcelain veneers have become quite popular due to their ease of treatment, conservative nature, and affordability.

Placing Porcelain Veneers

St. Joseph dentist Dr. Sven Erickson carries out each step of your porcelain veneers procedure with extreme precision and thoroughness. He has many years of experience with veneer design and placement. His skill level is vast, and he knows the special nuances that are important for achieving exceptional results.

Dr. Erickson works with three advanced dental labs, Aurum, Williams, and Heritage, to get the best possible results on your porcelain veneers procedure. Your teeth will be prepared and an impression will be taken and sent to the lab for use in the construction of your porcelain veneers. Once the veneers are ready, Dr. Erickson uses a safe, strong bonding agent to secure them in place and ensure a natural look.

Porcelain Veneer Candidates

In order for you to be considered a good candidate for porcelain veneers, your tooth issues should be purely cosmetic in nature. They are a successful aesthetic enhancement but are not generally recommended for improving a tooth that has become weakened or compromised. Porcelain veneers may be combined with other restorations as part of a smile makeover. Here are some common issues veneers can help alleviate:

• Tooth gaps – Gaps between teeth can cause people to be self-conscious about their smile. If a tooth gap is affecting your smile appearance, porcelain veneers can help cover the gap so that it is not visible to others.
• Crooked teeth – Porcelain veneers are often recommended to mask the look of crooked teeth. They are nicknamed “instant orthodontics” because they correct the appearance of crooked teeth in just two appointments, eliminating the lengthy straightening process associated with braces. If you are not concerned with actually straightening your teeth, but would like to address the cosmetic issues associated with this problem, porcelain veneers are an excellent solution.
• Short teeth – One tooth or several teeth that are shorter than the rest can stand out and mar an otherwise lovely smile. Porcelain veneers offer a way to elongate short teeth for a more balanced smile appearance.
• Discolored or stained teeth – Certain stains, such as those caused by chemicals, do not respond well to tooth whitening procedures. In these cases, Dr. Erickson may recommend porcelain veneers to instantly brighten discolored teeth.
• Tooth crowding – Teeth that are too close together can make your smile appear unattractive. Porcelain veneers can be bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to create the appearance of proper spacing.