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Are you agitated by discolored or stained teeth, noticeable gaps between your front teeth, worn-down, chipped, broken, misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth? What if we told you that there’s a solution that can make these imperfections disappear in just four visits? Haute Beauty expert, Dr. Joshua Ghiam of Dr. Joshua Ghiam Aesthetic Dentistry has perfected the art of applying porcelain veneers, being able to transform the aesthetics of your smile with ease.
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells that match the color of your teeth and are bonded to the front surface to enhance their appearance. These veneers can be crafted from either porcelain or composite resin material, ensuring a seamless match with your natural teeth shade. To give you a clearer understanding of the porcelain veneer process, here Dr. Ghiam guides you through what the four visits entail.
Visit One: Consultation
During your first visit, you will have an initial consultation and comprehensive evaluation. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss the aesthetic changes you desire, formulate a personalized treatment plan, and begin the exciting journey of smile design.
To determine if you are a suitable candidate for veneers, we will use advanced cosmetic imaging technology. This cutting-edge diagnostic tool allows you to visualize and envision the potential outcome of having veneers. Additionally, X-rays may be taken to provide us with a more detailed view of your teeth.
We encourage you to ask any questions you may have. We value our patients’ involvement in their own smile design process and want to ensure that you feel informed and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Visit Two: Design Review
Once the appropriate type of veneer has been chosen, we will proceed with preparing your tooth. This involves gently buffing the tooth surface to ensure a proper fit for the veneer. If you have opted for composite resin veneers, we will sculpt the veneer directly onto your teeth. However, if you have selected porcelain veneers, a mold of your tooth will be taken and sent to a specialized lab where the veneer will be custom-made to ensure a precise fit and natural appearance.
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Visit Three: Final Placement
After cleaning your tooth with a special chemical, we will meticulously bond the veneer to your tooth using dental cement, ensuring a secure and permanent attachment. To solidify the bond, a light beam will be utilized to harden the cement. While the process is generally painless, you have the option of receiving a local anesthetic before the treatment for added comfort.
The final porcelain restorations are meticulously crafted to ensure a perfect fit and natural appearance. Initially, they are placed using temporary cement, allowing you to preview the final result. Detailed photographs are taken to evaluate and refine the aesthetics.
Once the temporary restorations are approved, the process moves to the final placement. We make necessary adjustments and refinements to ensure optimal fit and alignment. Once the final approval is given, the restorations are permanently cemented in place.
Following the permanent cementation, a review of the completed veneers is conducted to ensure they meet your desired outcome. At this stage, any final adjustments or fine-tuning can be made to guarantee the best possible result.
Visit Four: Follow Up
After the veneer placement, it may take a week or two for you to adjust to the sensation of wearing the veneer. Initially, it may feel slightly different, but rest assured that you will gradually become accustomed to it. To ensure that your veneers are in optimal condition, you will return to our office for a follow-up visit with our dentist after one or two weeks. This allows us to assess the success of the procedure and address any concerns you may have.
If you’d like to learn more about veneers, please call (323) 651-0933 and make an appointment with Dr. Ghiam today.
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