Tag Archives: Veneers

Porcelain Veneers – A Minimally Invasive Way To Rebuild Your Smile!

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Gaps, stains, misshaped and crooked teeth are all something that we’re either born with or a result of trauma or injury, and all of them are easy to correct via dental medicine.

Veneers, for one, have long been known as one of the main options to solve each one of the said problems above. The knock on them, though, is that they’ve had a history of being an irreversible procedure since the procedure involves the removal of a certain amount of tooth enamel for the veneer to be placed.

Porcelain veneers help solve that problem by being much thinner, making it no longer absolutely necessary for tooth enamel to be altered.

How Are Porcelain Veneers Placed?

In terms of placement, porcelain veneers are no different from the conventional, resin-type. Though, as mentioned earlier, porcelain veneers have the added benefit of needing a much smaller amount of the tooth’s surface to be removed for placement to be possible. In fact, there are cases where none of the tooth surface may have to be removed at all.

After this, the dentist will take an impression of the tooth, which then will be sent to a dental laboratory. The veneer is then custom-made, including aesthetic details to make sure that it blends well with the rest of the teeth.

Once the veneer is finished, it’s bonded to the tooth’s surface using a special type of cement.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Caring for porcelain veneers should be no different from how you take care of your own teeth.

Flossing once a day and brushing twice are still both important. Rinsing with mouthwash can also help remove additional food debris and plaque bacteria that flossing and brushing may have missed.

Disadvantages of Using Porlceian Veeners

Of course, porcelain veneers aren’t perfect and there are certain things that you’ll want to take note of, such as:

  • It is possible for your dentist to recommend that you stay away from certain stain-causing foods and beverages. This includes coffee, tea, red wine and so on.
  • Veneers usually chip or fracture much more easily than natural teeth, so they may not be recommended for those who habitually bite their nails or grind their teeth while they sleep. Though, in cases such as the latter, porcelain veneers may still be used, provided that the patient wears a night guard while they sleep to protect their teeth and veneer from damage.
  • Porcelain veneers can be very expensive, costing around $1,000 per tooth on average in the United States.

Improve Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers

Fixing mild to moderate tooth discolorations almost instantly, correcting minor misalignment issues, and re-shaping of misshapen teeth are just some of the few ways porcelain veneers can help you improve your smile. And, while it’s certainly not the cheapest dental treatment out there, many who’ve tried it will attest to how porcelain veneers are more than worth the investment.

Of course, no single dental treatment is universal, so if you’re considering veneers, you may want to have a lengthy discussion with your dentist first. This way, your dentist can tell you what options are available for your particular dental problem.

For more information regarding porcelain veneers, contact Dr. George Kirtley at 371-841-1111 or visit his website at www.smilesbygeorge.com to learn more about the services Dr. Kirtley offers.

Dr. George Kirtley welcome patients from Spring Hill, Beach Grove and Warren Park.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry For You? | Indianapolis Cosmetic Dentist

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selfieIn todays modern times cosmetic dentistry has advanced to the point where we can completely overhaul our smile, sometimes in as little as one visit. Now a days cosmetic dentistry isn’t just for celebrities and the wealthy, there’s now a wide variety of options and price ranges that put a better smile within reach for many patients.

Traditional dentistry addresses the health of your teeth and gums, cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of your teeth. From subtle changes to major overhauls with oral surgery, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures that can treat teeth that are discolored, misshapen, chipped or missing.

So is cosmetic dentistry right for you?

Below are the most common cosmetic procedures:

Teeth whitening: This procedure brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Teeth whitening, or bleaching, can be done in a dentist’s office or at home with a system dispensed by the dentist.

Bonding: This can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained, or have spaces in between them, by bonding tooth-colored materials to the tooth surface.

Veneers: These are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that cover the front of the teeth to disguise discoloration or imperfections.

Tooth reshaping: This procedure changes the teeth to improve their appearance by modifying or removing enamel. Tooth reshaping (also known as dental contouring) is often combined with bonding.

Crown lengthening: This can fix a “gummy” smile or an uneven gum line by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and give the appearance of longer teeth. This involves minor oral surgery.

Smile makeovers: These procedures involve a comprehensive assessment of the overall appearance of the teeth and smile. Typically, several cosmetic dentistry procedures are required to overhaul the look of a patient’s smile. Think of it as a facelift for the mouth(Source: everydayhealth.com).

Of course before having a cosmetic procedure done, your oral health must be in good shape. You need to have strong healthy teeth for a cosmetic procedure to work. Many patients think they can walk in with a existing problems (cavities, etc.) and walk out with a Hollywood smile; not understanding the chain of events that must occur prior to be a good cosmetic candidate.

To determine if you are a good candidate for cosmetic procedures, and to find out which cosmetic procedure will give you the lasting smile you desire, contact Dr. Kirtley today!

For more information on cosmetic dentistry and to make an appointment call, Dr. Kirtley at 317-841-1111 or visit his website  porcelainveneersindianapolis.com

Dr. Kirtley gladly welcomes patients from Spring Hill, Beech Grove and Warren Park.

How do I take care of my new Porcelain Veneers? | Bloomington, IN

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Once you achieve that picture perfect smile with porcelain veneers, you need to be sure to take good care of them. According to Dr. George Kirtley of Indianapolis, IN, Dental problems take their toll on veneers, so taking care of your teeth and gums is essential. Veneers are attached to your actual teeth, which means gum and hygiene problems can greatly affect the veneers.

Polishing

One way to keep your porcelain veneers at their best is to polish them. You can have your teeth and veneers polished once every three to four months. Special tools will be used to buff and clean your teeth and veneers thoroughly. In addition, regular brushing and flossing and regular dental visits will keep your veneers looking great for years.

Mind food and Activities

Even though porcelain veneers act like regular teeth, they cannot withstand excessive pressure. Always try to avoid biting on hard bones, holding things between your teeth, or even chewing finger nails. Also, chewing ice can be extremely damaging to your teeth and veneers, chipping or breaking them. If you engage in sports, always be sure to wear a mouth guard.

How Long Do They Last?

Porcelain veneers are made of a bonding material that does not wear down easily. With proper care as noted above. Veneers can possibly last your entire life. One of the many reasons porcelain veneers are one of the most popular options for smile makeovers.

For more information on porcelain veneers or to make an appointment call, Dr. Kirtley at 317-841-1111 or visit his website www.smilesbygeorge.com.

 

 

Composite Veneers vs Porcelain Veneers – Which is right for you? | Bloomington, IN

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Dental veneers are thin layers of composite resin or porcelain which are fitted right onto the surface of the tooth.  They are very popular among patients with discolored, crooked or misaligned teeth. Veneers are made to give you a beautiful, straight white smile. Most people don’t know there are two different types of veneers to choose from. Cosmetic dentist Dr. George Kirtley of Bloomington, IN offers some insight on both types of veneers.

The two types of veneers are composite resin veneers and porcelain veneers. The following are facts on both types of veneers.

Composite:

  • Last about 4-8 years with proper maintenance.
  • Made of high quality reinforced plastic. Given today’s high-end technology these veneers look and feel very good, but under pressure they can damage quite easily.
  • Have a porous surface, which can affect their look after years of use.
  • Stain more easily. Often needing whitening treatments to maintain their appearance.
  • Chip easily.

Porcelain:

  • Porcelain veneers on the other hand last up to 25 years and do not require as much maintenance.
  • Made of high quality porcelain, natural in color and more resistant.
  • Maintain strength and appearance over several decades.
  • Do not stain because of the non-porous material.

 Ultimately the choice is yours as to which type of veneer you choose to give you that beautiful smile you have always dreamed of. For more information on both types of veneers and to see which is right for you, contact Dr. Kirtley at 317-841-1111 or visit his website www.smilesbygeorge.com.