Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? Whether you don’t like their shade, the way they’re shaped, or their size, veneers are a great solution. A dental Veneer is a thin (think contact lens thin) custom shaped ceramic facing to cover the front of a tooth. Each veneer is permanently bonded onto the front surface of the tooth to create a more aesthetically pleasing shape & color. They can cover unattractive gaps between teeth, hide discolorations & stains, and conceal worn or mishapen teeth and create a highly aesthetic and symmetrical smile. Patients absolutely LOVE the dramatic and almost instantaneous transformation that veneers give to their smile, helping to make them look more youthful and boost their confidence.
Dr. Hlavaty will have you come in for an appointment to assess the condition of your teeth, discuss all of the options, and determine if veneers are right for you.
Because veneers have a thickness of about .5 mm, we need to remove approx this same amount of enamel to prevent them from looking or feeling too bulky or sticking out from the teeth.
We will take 3D Digital Impressions (Scans) of your teeth and of how your bite fits together, which are sent to the lab that will create your custom-made veneers, so the veneers will fit seamlessly with all your other teeth.
After your veneers are sent from the lab (typically 1-2 weeks) we will try them in, checking the fit, size, shape & color of the veneers, and then permanently bonding them to your natural teeth.
If you suffer from severe tooth discoloration or staining, you might find that teeth whitening can’t produce the result you’re looking for, which is a beautiful white smile. Veneers are made from tooth colored ceramics that can hide the underlying imperfections and instantly transform your smile, and because they can last for 20+ years, you can think of it as a long-term whitening treatment.
Veneers can cover up minor to moderate damage to your teeth, including chips, cracks, and worn down tooth enamel. Whether you’ve suffered from dental trauma or you have bitten down on something that broke your tooth, a damaged tooth can be an eye-sore that distracts from the rest of your smile. Veneers will not only cover up the appearance of damaged teeth – but they also strengthen your teeth when they’re bonded to your enamel.
A common insecurity in patients’ smiles is having crooked teeth or gaps between the teeth. As long as you don’t have severe orthodontic misalignment or bite problems, veneers can be a great alternative to braces or Invisalign. They can create the appearance of a perfectly straight smile and close up gaps in a fraction of the time needed for orthodontic treatment.
There are often many things about the shape and size of our teeth that we may find undesirable, such as teeth that are too long, too short, too sharp, or too round. Maybe some of your teeth are a different shape than the others. The best option, in this case, is to place veneers over your teeth so you don’t need to physically alter them.
Many patients struggle with gum disease, and if left untreated, can risk losing their teeth and other problems. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and is the only stage that can actually be reversed with deep cleanings and attentive at-home hygiene. If you have gum disease, keeping up with your regular cleanings and checkups will help you gain control over your oral health before it’s too late!
For patients with more advanced stages of periodontitis, we recommend scheduling deep cleanings at more frequent intervals, usually every three to four months. Although the effects of advanced gum disease can’t be reversed, deep cleanings, scaling, and root planing can halt the progression of periodontitis and help preserve your oral health.
Oral cancer screenings are an important part of every preventive care visit. Catching oral cancer in its early stages allows us to stop it before it spreads, and can save your life. That’s why we’ll always check for signs of oral cancer at every preventive visit.
Your dentist will examine your oral tissues, like your gums and tongue, keeping an eye out for abnormalities like lesions, lumps, discolorations. If we find anything unusual, we’ll take a biopsy and send it out to a specialist for a thorough analysis. Although oral cancer isn’t overly common, it’s important to remain proactive and consistent with your oral healthcare routine, so we can identify any issues before they become major problems.
Teeth grinding and clenching while sleeping is a common issue faced by many patients. Night guards are a great solution for this unconscious clenching, also known as bruxism. Night guards form a soft barrier that protects your teeth from damage caused by the pressure of clenching and grinding. Your dentist will take an impression or a scan of your teeth and gums to create a unique mold that will be sent to a dental lab, where your night guard will be custom-crafted. Night guards work by easing the tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and other side effects of clenching and grinding, so you can get the sleep you need and keep your teeth from wearing down.
Sports mouth guards are worn over the teeth, just like night guards. However sports guards are designed specifically to protect your smile from dental injuries that are so common when playing high-intensity impact sports. Custom-fitted sports guards can help protect athletes from oral trauma caused by collisions to the mouth, face, and head. If you play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, rugby, hockey, gymnastics, mountain biking, or other activities that put you at risk for injury due from falls, body contact, or flying objects, ask us about getting fitted for a custom sports guard today! Tailored to fit your unique smile, sports guards are comfortable, durable, and won’t stop you from playing the sports you love.