You've had enough of your chipped, gapped smile. You want to improve its appearance. Dr. Raymond Della Porta, your dentist in Vero Beach, FL, suggests porcelain veneers, beautiful, customized shells of dental grade porcelain. They permanently disguise the front of selected healthy teeth, strengthening them and dramatically enhancing smile aesthetics.

Your new smile

It starts with a one-on-one discussion and evaluation with Dr. Della Porta in his Vero Beach office. During this friendly chat, you'll determine what you want to change about your smile. Veneers work well for people who have healthy teeth and gums but just need some cosmetic changes to one or more teeth marred by:

• Stains (which do not respond to professional whitening treatments)
• Mild crowding
• Gaps
• Odd tooth shape or surface texture
• Hairline cracks
• Chips
• Uneven length (tooth is substantially shorter or longer than its neighbors)

So, Dr. Della Porta will make sure your teeth are healthy enough for veneers and take three-dimensional images and oral impressions. Because porcelain veneers must fit over the teeth comfortably and bite together with the opposing arch properly, Dr. Della Porta removes a thin slice of enamel from each tooth. This resurfacing makes veeners a permanent tooth enhancement. In other words, once you have veneers, you will always have veneers.

Temporary veneers cover your resurfaced teeth while you wait for your permanent ones to come from the dental lab. On your return visit to Dr. Della Porta's office, he'll remove the temporaries and bond on the new ones with a permanent adhesive which is both strong and tooth-colored. A special light hardens the cement.

Caring for porcelain veneers

Your porcelain veneers can last for years and years when you brush and floss regularly and see Dr. Della Porta every six months for an examination and professional cleaning. While veneers are chip- and stain-resistant, make sure you limit dark beverages, such as coffee, and avoid hard food such as peanut brittle and ice. And, of course, stop all tobacco usage.

Porcelain veneers are so durable and functional, they can last as long as porcelain crowns, says the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Your cosmetic dentistry consultation

Why not arrange one today? Dr. Della Porta will explain all your treatment options in Vero Beach, FL, including the possibility of stunning porcelain veneers. Call (772) 567-1025.