Show Off Your Best Possible Smile

Your best smile--is it really possible? You have some deep stains and a gap in between your two front teeth. Habitually, you cover them because you feel self-conscious. But, your dentists in Niskayuna, NY, Dr. Kent Molino and Dr. Todd Vaccaro, offer a cosmetic treatment perfect for your situation. Called porcelain veneers, these tooth-shaped shells of ceramic cover a variety of enamel defects. Read more about this beautiful way to refinish your smile.

Porcelain veneers and you

You may be a good match for each other. Dr. Vaccaro or Dr. Molino will examine your teeth and gums to find out. Your teeth and gums should be free of decay and gum disease. If they are, the dentist will take oral impressions and prepare your teeth with a limited enamel resurfacing. He'll place temporary veneers and send a treatment plan to the dental lab where a skilled ceramist will craft each veneer individually.

On your return visit, your Niskayuna dentist will remove your temporary veneers, treat your teeth with an etching liquid and then place the veneers. He'll look at the shape, fit and color match. Then, he'll apply a special bonding adhesive which the dentist may adjust in shade to blend in with neighboring teeth. Finally, he completes the process with a curing light which ensures a strong bond.

Uses of porcelain veneers

They disguise many dental flaws, including:

• Gaps
• Crowding
• Chips
• Hairline cracks
• Odd tooth shape and uneven length
• Deep stains which do not respond to professional whitening

Additionally, veneers strengthen teeth which have thin enamel or which have lost a fair amount their structure due to oral trauma. However, veneers do not require the extensive enamel reshaping which dental crowns do.

Caring for your veneers

Brushing and flossing are no different--with or without veneers. Follow American Dental Association guidelines: floss daily and brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Also, see Dr. Molino and Dr. Vaccaro as usual every six months for a cleaning and check-up. Your dentist will make sure your veneers are solidly in place and that your gums are healthy.

Avoid things which stress tooth surfaces: eating hard foods and opening bottles with your teeth are examples. If you grind your teeth, consider a customized bite guard to cushion your smile.

Also, while veneers are stain resistant, limit coffee, blueberries and other dark menu choices, says the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Eliminate cigarettes and chewing tobacco, too, to keep veneers bright and your health vibrant. With good care, your porcelain veneers in Niskayuna should last for a decade or more.

A great smile

It could be within your reach. Find out the details on porcelain veneers during a personal smile consultation with Dr. Molino or Dr. Vaccaro in Niskayuna, NY. Call the office today for an appointment: (518) 377-3628.