Houston Porcelain Veneers
Some people learn the hard way that it makes a lot of difference who does your porcelain veneers.
Most dentists are attracted to the profession because they like to fix things, and that is the focus of our dental school training. A tooth is broken, and we repair it. The focus is on strength, longevity, and functionality.
- All that is good and all dentistry needs to meet those standards, but you need to understand that a smile makeover has an added dimension that is just as important—it is a work of art.
- There are a lot of artistic aspects to this type of work.
- Does the shape of the teeth complement your face? Does it convey the image you want to project? How about the color? Teeth, when you look at them up close, are not a single shade throughout. There are slightly darker tones toward the gumline. Near the biting edge, most teeth are quite translucent. There is also a definite surface texture to the teeth, and the absence of that texture will leave your smile looking dull and fake.
Here is an illustration of a patient who came to us, unhappy with her veneers, and ended up with a beautiful new set of porcelain veneers, replacing her old ones.
Notice, in the “before” photograph on the left, the unnatural shape of the central incisors. They are short and squat. Notice also the dark color, and the unnatural reflection pattern of the light on the veneers, which creates the appearance of them being bulky.
In the “after” picture, the teeth are a more vibrant color. There is a natural translucency near the incisal edge. The shape is a more natural golden proportion that is seen in real life, and the patient is much happier.
Don’t learn the hard way how important it is to have a dentist do your smile makeover.
Porcelain Veneers and Smile Design
Consider another aspect of smile design, and that is the personality your teeth project.
- When you are young and your teeth first erupt, the lengths are uneven and there are small bumps along the incisal edge called “mammelons.” When your smile design is created with longer central incisors and slightly uneven edges, it creates an image of youth, boldness, and sexiness. As people get older, these edges tend to wear down and become straighter and more even. Thus, when we see someone whose front teeth are fairly even in length, it creates an image of maturity and sophistication. This is just one of the personality characteristics that can be incorporated into your teeth.
- Then there is color. Mastering the manipulation of color takes experience and passion on the part of the dentist. Teeth are not a uniform color, as we explained. In addition, they are translucent. Many smile makeover patients who thought any licensed dentist could do porcelain veneers have been disappointed to find out that either their underlying tooth color has bled through the porcelain veneers and affected the final shade of their smile; or they have discovered that the dentist used too much opaquer and left their teeth looking chalky and fake, but they didn’t find this out until after the veneers were bonded and it was too late to change it. Being able to block out underlying color while still creating a naturally translucent result is a skill that can take years to master.
Our Beautiful Smile Guarantee
Drs. Frazar and Hedge are true dental artists who are passionate about the appearance of their work. They have had advanced post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry through the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
In addition, they have become recognized dentists in their own right, publishing articles and giving lectures to other dentists on cosmetic dentistry techniques. When they create a new smile for you, they will try it on with try-in pastes before it is ever bonded on permanently. If you have any reservations about the appearance at that time, it will be sent back to the ceramist until you love it. Click here to read more about our beautiful smile guarantee.
Houston Porcelain Veneer Options
There are various types and brands of porcelain veneers. Here are some examples:
If cost is a concern to you, check out our page on affordable porcelain veneers.
What Will Work the Best for You?
To make it easy for you, we offer a complimentary initial consultation. There are a lot of porcelain veneers options available, and to know what to recommend to you, we really have to look at your teeth.
So give us a call, and for no fee or obligation, we will look at your teeth, take some photographs, and discuss your options. Ask any questions you would like. We’d love to meet you! Just call, or visit our make an appointment page.