Porcelain Veneers

At Dr. Shirley’s office, watching patients see their brilliant new smile for the first time highlights our days. Veneers can dramatically transform a smile, sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.” A set of veneers can correct chips, stains, and even deeply discolored teeth. But they can also alter the length and size of teeth or help give the appearance of a straight tooth where there is not. While it may sound dramatic, it isn’t. Veneers provide a highly conservative approach to esthetic smile makeovers.

Veneers are one of dentistry’s ultimate combination of dental art and science, handcrafted and customized to fit your smile. These paper-thin pieces of porcelain bond to the outside of your natural teeth. But just because they’re thin, don't be fooled. Veneers are highly versatile and can replicate all the complex nuances of a natural tooth.

Good Planning Paves the Way

There’s a lot of diagnostic work and careful planning that goes into a treatment plan that includes veneers. Models, photographs, and  digital x-rays allow you and Dr. Shirley to create a perfect blueprint to guide your treatment from start to finish. Like all successful projects, this planning can't be compromised. Dr. Shirley will consider your input and incorporate your desires into your veneer case, from color to shape and everything in between.

The Next Steps

Once Dr. Shirley plans your case, it will take around two appointments before you leave with a stunning new smile. At the first visit, the teeth are gently prepared to allow space for the ultra-thin porcelain to be crafted by a master lab technician.

Dr. Shirley will create temporary acrylic restorations that mimic the veneers, which you’ll wear for up to three weeks. These temporaries provide a preview of the general appearance of your new smile and lets you see try it out to see if any further changes are needed.

Delivering the Magic

After your veneers have been masterfully crafted to you and Dr. Shirley's specific instructions, you'll return for a second appointment. Dr. Shirley will try in each veneer and evaluate the appearance and fit, giving you an opportunity to preview the new look. She will go through several steps to precisely bond the thin veneers to the surface of your teeth, creating an incredibly strong bond between tooth and porcelain. Minor adjustments to your bite and a final polish will leave you with a smile that may have you wondering why you waited so long to find Dr. Shirley.