Veneers (Laminates)
Murfreesboro Veneers
Veneers are thin shells of plastic or porcelain that cover just the visible portion of your teeth. They can fix most cosmetic problems and totally transform a smile in just two appointments.
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin shells of plastic or porcelain that cover just the visible portion of your teeth, typically the front and the chewing surface. They can fix most cosmetic problems and totally transform a smile in just two appointments. Veneers are usually placed on front teeth that can be seen when you smile, and can be used to resurface just one or several teeth. They are similar to artificial fingernails in size and appearance, and serve a similar function as they are bonded to the natural surface to improve appearance. But veneers are very firmly and permanently bonded, and are custom designed for the exact fit and color for your teeth. When you see a complete smile makeover, very often the person has received a new set of porcelain veneers.
Am I a good candidate for veneers?
If you have one or more teeth that are healthy, but need some cosmetic improvement, you should talk to Dr. Thompson about veneers. People get veneers for a variety of reasons, but the result is always beautiful new teeth that make your smile more youthful and attractive.
Why do people choose to get veneers? What can veneers do?
Veneers completely cover the front of your teeth, giving them a brand new, healthy appearance. Since veneers can change the size and shape of a tooth, they can be used for a variety of purposes. They can:
o Close spaces between teeth
o Lengthen and change the shape of teeth
o Whiten stained teeth that resist conventional whitening
o Improve the appearance of chipped, cracked or worn teeth
o Protect teeth from further damage
Are veneers a good option for a total smile makeover?
Yes. In fact, when you see a total smile makeover, very often what you are seeing is a brand new set of beautiful porcelain veneers. They can totally transform a smile in as little as two visits.
What are Composite Veneers?
Dr. Thompson can create composite veneers right on your tooth during the course of one appointment. The material and process for composite veneers are the same the dental bonding procedure. Cosmetic veneers are strong and durable, but not as durable as porcelain veneers. If they fracture, however, they do not have to be replaced as porcelain veneers do. Dr. Thompson can fix a composite veneer fracture by patching it in the same way he created it. Composite veneers do not resist staining as well, and may darken some over time. Since the process is quick and painless, he can replace any composite veneers that lose their natural color.
What can I expect from the composite veneer procedure?
Dr. Thompson roughens the surface of the teeth so the resin bonding material can attach with a very strong bond. The bonding material is actually soft and flexible, and can be molded like putty or clay. It is a composite resin that will be colored to match the natural shade of your teeth. He will mold and sculpt the resin to create a thin shell over the front of the tooth. A high intensity light will be aimed at the sculpted bonding material, quickly turning it hard and durable. He will repeat this procedure, applying multiple thin layers, so the entire procedure could take more than an hour. Once hardened, the composite veneers are very strong, and will look and feel very much like your natural teeth. Finally, all new surfaces are smoothed and carefully polished.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Natural teeth have a translucent appearance that can be most closely duplicated with beautiful porcelain veneers. Porcelain delivers the highest quality, longest lasting and most lifelike results for veneers, and that is why it is typically used in “smile makeovers”, where an entire smile is to be transformed. The porcelain is extremely hard and durable as well as very resistant to staining. It will show little signs of the darkening with age that is more common with composite veneers.
There are a few potential disadvantages to porcelain veneers to discuss with Dr. Thompson. They take no less than two appointments because the teeth must be prepared by removing some of the existing tooth structure to make room for the veneers. Also, while the finished veneers form a tight, strong and durable bond with your tooth, the porcelain can fracture under extreme stress. If fractured, by teeth grinding or improper use, a porcelain veneer will probably need to be replaced.
What can I expect from the porcelain veneer procedure?
Porcelain veneers take at least two appointments because Dr. Thompson must first shape your teeth and prepare them for the new veneers. Typically, this means removing some tooth tissue to make room for the new veneers, and roughing the tooth surface to ensure a tight, strong bond. Next Dr. Thompson will make a wax impression of your teeth to be used as a model for the porcelain to be shaped to your precise specifications. At the end of this first appointment, Dr. Thompson can insert temporary plastic veneers to protect your teeth while the dental lab is creating your custom fitted veneers. During the second appointment, your doctor will remove the temporaries, and use an adhesive to bond the porcelain veneers to your teeth. A harmless, high intensity light will harden the adhesive and create a strong durable bond between the veneers and the teeth.
What type of veneer is right for me?
For lower cost and fewer appointments without much alteration to your natural tooth structure, composite veneers make a good choice. The strength, durability and life-like appearance of the porcelain veneers make them very popular and a stellar choice for a full smile transformation.
Once I have veneers, what can I expect?
Once the veneer is in place, it will function just like a regular tooth. A veneer is considered a permanent tooth restoration, but that doesn’t mean it is expected to last forever. Proper care and habits and regular dental examinations and teeth cleanings will allow you to keep your veneers looking beautiful for ten years or more.
Root Canal Therapy
What is a root canal?Underneath your tooth’s outer enamel and within the dentin is an area of soft tissue called the pulp tissue. While atooth’s pulp tissue does contain nerve fibers, it is also composed of arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and connectivetissue. Each tooth’s nerve enters the tooth at the very tip of its roots. From there, the nerve runs through the centerof the root in small “root canals,” which join up with the tooth’s pulp chamber.
Why do I feel pain?
When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to a deep cavity or fracture,the blood supply to the tooth may be lost and the tooth pulp may die. Damaged or dead pulp causes increased blood flow and activity in the tooth’s cells. Pressure may build within a tooth that cannot be relieved, causing pain that is commonly felt when biting down, chewing, or consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.
Why might I need treatment?
Without treatment, the infection will spread and bone around the tooth will begin to degenerate, possibly causing the tooth to fall out. Pain usually worsens until you are forced to seek dental attention.
What is root canal therapy?
Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes the damaged or dead pulp. The canal is reshaped and filled with gutta percha, a rubber-like material, to prevent recontamination of the tooth. The tooth is then permanently sealed.
What is involved in root canal therapy?
If your general dentist recommends a root canal, he or she will perform the treatment or refer you for treatment toan endodontist, which is a specialist who treats injuries, diseases, and infections of the tooth pulp. A space is created into the tooth’s pulp chamber, which, along with any infected root canal, is cleaned of all diseased pulp and reshaped. Medication may be inserted into the area to fight bacteria. Depending on the condition of the tooth, the crown may then be sealed temporarily to guard against recontamination or the dentist may immediately fill the canals. Temporary fillings are usually removed and the pulp chamber and canals are filled on the next visit. If the tooth is still weak, a post may be inserted above the canal filling to help rebuild the tooth. Once filled, the area is permanently sealed. Finally, a gold or porcelain crown is normally placed over the tooth to strengthen its structure and improve its appearance.
How will I feel after treatment?
There may be some inflammation around the gum tissues, which may cause discomfort for a few days. This canbe controlled by an over-the-counter pain reliever. A follow-up visit to your dentist will help him or her review howthe tissue is healing. From this point on, brush and floss regularly, avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth, and see your dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and examinations.
Are there options to root canal therapy?
The only alternative to root canal therapy is to extract the tooth; however, this alone can cause the surrounding teeth to move, resulting in a bad bite. Though a simple extraction may be perceived as less expensive, the empty space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which ultimately can be more costly than root canal therapy.
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Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
