If there were one thing you could improve about your personal appearance, what would it be? For many people, it's the appearance of their teeth. While their goal may not be a paparazzi-perfect smile, many individuals hide their smiles because of imperfections such as:

• stains from food, beverages, smoking and simple aging
• small cracks and chips
• misshapen and/or uneven teeth
• teeth that are too petite (for a man) or too large (for a woman)
• minor crookedness and overlapping teeth
• teeth biting together improperly

If this describes your teeth, your Glenview, Illinois cosmetic dentists urge you to come in for a smile analysis to see if porcelain veneers could change and brighten your smile at Glenview Family Dental Center.

What are porcelain veneers?

Dental veneers are a state of the art cosmetic treatment that can correct those minor imperfections in a comfortable, minimally invasive way. Unlike treatment with dental crowns, porcelain veneers are super-thin coverings of bright, durable porcelain that do not require extensive removal of tooth enamel.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recommends that the dentist and patient discuss what the individual would like to see change about his smile. After a thorough oral examination, the dentist and patient can decide if veneers are the right treatment. Veneers are not appropriate for people with extensive decay, gum disease or difficult orthodontic issues.

What does the veneer procedure involve?

To start off, the dentist removes just 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the front side of the teeth to receive veneers. Usually, patients do not require any local anesthesia. He then takes impressions of the teeth and sends them to a lab where a model is created. The technician uses this model and the doctor's instructions to create porcelain veneers that are the correct, shape, size and color to perfectly refinish the patient's teeth.

At a subsequent appointment, the dentist cements the veneers to the teeth, checking for shape, fit, color and bite. He cures the adhesive with a special hardening light. During follow-up, he checks to see how well teeth and gums have adapted to the veneers. Any residual tooth sensitivity disappears relatively quickly.

Are veneers hard to care for?

The answer to this question is no. While you should not chew hard candy or bite open plastic packaging with your veneers (or your natural teeth either), porcelain veneers are strong. With normal brushing twice a day and daily flossing, veneers should continue to improve a smile for many years.

Family Dental Center

In the Glenview, Illinois area, Sean W. Cullinan DMD and his associates, Dr. Alex Figueroa, Dr. Larry Zager and Dr. Michael Cullinan provide a wide range of cosmetic, restorative, surgical and orthodontic dental services for patients of all ages. They can evaluate your smile to see if porcelain veneers are the right choice for you. Call the office today for an appointment: 847-998-1281.