Pasadena Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin slices of porcelain that are bonded to individual teeth to create a smile makeover.

Veneers can be used to treat a variety of cosmetic dental issues. In the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, veneers are made to perfectly match the translucency of the patient's surrounding teeth, and they can be carefully sculpted to even out the shape of teeth, fill in chips, cracks or gaps, correct discoloration, and create an overall pleasant appearance.

In some cases, veneers may be an affordable and faster alternative to traditional braces in correcting misaligned teeth.

For patients who have deep tooth staining from the use of tetracycline, veneers offer the best chance for having completely white teeth.

How porcelain veneers are applied

Getting porcelain veneers usually requires a short consultation plus two visits to the dentist. At the initial consultation, Dr. Azarbal will discuss how you want your new smile to look, offer tips on smile design, and address any concerns that you have.

At the first visit, he will prepare the teeth for veneers by shaving off a very thin layer of enamel (about the width of a fingernail) from the front of the tooth and carefully shape each one so that it will be ready to receive the veneer. Once the teeth are prepared, Dr. Azarbal will make an impression of each one to send to the ceramicist who will craft the veneers.

A patient's smile before porcelain veneers.

The same patient after porcelain veneers.

A master ceramicist will use the impressions, together with Dr. Azarbal's detailed color instructions, to create the porcelan veneers.

At the final visit, the custom veneers are applied to the teeth, checked to see that they achieve the desired appearance, and then permanently bonded to the teeth.

Advantages of porcelain veneers

• The color and translucency of the porcelain can be customized to match the natural variation in teeth and can be manipulated to match the shade of the surrounding teeth. You won't end up with solid white, opaque teeth surrounded by natural teeth that look gray or dull by comparison.
• Porcelain is very durable and stain-resistant.
• Veneers are color-stable, meaning that they will keep their color over time and it will not fade or change.

Expertise required

Though many dentists will say they offer porcelain veneers, it is vital that you choose one with the additional training and artistic perspective necessary to do a really great job. Cosmetic procedures like this one are not taught in dental school and, in order to do them well, dentists must invest in a significant amount of additional training and proper equipment.

To do a smile makeover, Dr. Azarbal must first be able to discuss the patient's goals for how their smile should look. This involves a lot attention to cosmetic detail in addition to technical skill. Second, he must properly prepare the teeth and give very subtle and detailed color instructions to the ceramicist to ensure the resulting veneers will have a natural appearance.

Caring for porcelain veneers

With proper care and maintenance, porcelain veneers will last and maintain their consistent color for a very long time. However, it is essential to both have porcelain veneers applied by a qualified cosmetic dentist, and to have follow-up care and cleanings done by dental personnel who have knowledge and experience in caring for cosmetic dental work.

Some techniques and cleaning agents used by general dentists can damage the veneers, leaving them vulnerable to staining and wear.