| By :
Nick Messe
Many of us need tooth repairs, but are reluctant, or afraid, to endure the discomfort and pain of the dental work involved. Dentistry now provides many methods of relaxation or sedation to relieve the discomfort. Porcelain veneers offer results that are natural and beautiful. A porcelain veneer is a very thin sheet of porcelain bonded onto the front of a tooth. The porcelain is natural looking and translucent like tooth enamel. Porcelain costs more than its alternative, composite resin, but it is more durable and beautiful to look at. Porcelain, of course, is a fragile material by itself. However, when adhered to a hard surface, it becomes quite strong. Veneers are used to correct minor imperfections or discolorations of teeth. A dental crown is a shell, or cap that completely fits over the existing tooth. It looks just like a real tooth. The actual tooth is filed down to fit under the crown. This is another option to repair a tooth that has a major break, very large filling, or other damage. The procedure that involves placing porcelain veneers on teeth is amazing. The first step is to shave, or trim the enamel of the front of the tooth. This enables the porcelain to bond to the tooth. The dentist will trim about the same amount of enamel as the thickness of the veneer so the tooth will remain its same size. The amount is so slight that it does not damage the tooth. After the enamel surface is prepared, an impression of the tooth is created. The veneer is made to match this impression either by a dental laboratory technician, which may take two weeks, or by a machine in the office. The machine creates it the same day. In the event that it is a longer wait, the dentist may place a temporary veneer on the tooth. The veneer will be made to match the color of the other teeth and as close to the shape of the tooth as possible. The color of the veneer is actually determined by the color of the cement used to bond the veneer to the tooth. The cement shows through the translucent veneer. Using great precision, the dentist is able to create a beautifully natural tooth. The patient and dentist, together, will judge the best shape and color before it is bonded. An acidic gel roughens the surface of the tooth for stronger bonding, then the veneer is cemented to the tooth. A special light is shone on the cemented veneer to cure it, which takes a few minutes. The final step is smoothing away excess cement and shaping, if needed. Dentists may provide massage chairs, blankets, pillows, soft music, as well as laughing gas, or Novocaine, to alleviate any discomfort and pain involved in these procedures. Dentists work very hard to make these visits as comfortable as possible. A dentist's trained precision with today's technological advances can restore teeth to their original, undamaged appearance. Soon you'll have that beautiful smile, painlessly.
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