Dental & Porcelain Veneers in Federal Way WA

White, straight, even teeth are one of the first things many people notice about people in film, on television, and in magazines. But does this mean that all those people who appear in front of cameras just had the good fortune to be born with a white, straight set of teeth?

Most of the time, the answer to this question is “No.” And that means that these people have gone to a professional to have various dental techniques applied to get those brilliant, perfect smiles.  One of those techniques is known as a dental veneer.

A Federal Way WA dental veneer, as the name implies, is a thin “shell” that is designed to cover your teeth. They provide a brighter, cleaner, more uniform shape, color, and overall appearance. Veneers are affixed to your teeth to provide consistent color, hide cracks or chips, and provide even, symmetrical lines to eliminate jagged smiles.

A veneer is a customized procedure based on an examination of measurement of your mouth and teeth to ensure a comfortable, natural fit. Veneers are usually made of one of two materials.

---

What Are Dental Veneers in Federal Way WA?

Dental veneers are thin and transparent layers of porcelain, ceramic, or composite material that are permanently fixed onto the front surface of your teeth. This painless procedure can be performed with minimal preparation of your tooth structure and is often called instant orthodontics.

Veneers can make your teeth look more attractive, improve their shape and color, and improve tooth alignment. They are an excellent option for front teeth, especially when you prefer not to undergo orthodontic treatment.

Dental veneers are suitable devices for teeth that:

• Are stained or discolored
• Have unattractive gaps between them
• Are misshaped, broken, chipped, or crooked

Dental veneers offer several advantages, especially when bonded to your front teeth. Some benefits of the veneer treatment include:

• Relatively painless and straightforward procedure
• Does not require more than two visits to our dental office
• A minimal amount of enamel structure is removed
• Gives a healthy and natural appearance

---

The Procedure for Placing Veneers

The placement of dental veneers is a simple procedure. It entails as little as two steps:

Preparation of the Tooth:

After the shade of the veneer has been decided, Dr. Dennis Hahn will prepare the affected tooth. A minor portion of the enamel structure measuring about 0.3mm to 0.5mm is removed from the tooth’s front surface to make room for the new veneer. An impression of the prepared tooth is then captured and sent to a dental lab to fabricate your customized veneer restoration. We will make sure to match your veneers with the shade of your existing teeth.

Veneer Placement:

After the preparation and cleaning of your tooth, the veneer is secured to the tooth with the help of dental adhesives that are hardened with a special curing light. The veneers will blend in seamlessly with your smile. With proper care and maintenance, your veneers can last for ten years or more.

---

Porcelain Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers take more time to apply, which may necessitate more than one visit. This artificial material most closely resembles the natural enamel of real teeth, in both texture and the way it reflects light. Because this is a more complicated, comprehensive procedure, it can take two weeks for a complete veneer application to be completed when choosing porcelain.

However, porcelain is a strong, durable material. Aside from the usual good dental hygiene practices of keeping teeth and gums free of plaque and tartar, with responsible care, you are unlikely to require additional professional maintenance to keep porcelain veneers intact.

---

Resin

With this option, the resin is applied directly to the teeth. Because this is a simpler, easier, more pliable material, resin veneers can typically be applied to teeth in a single visit. However, this convenience in time makes resin a more delicate material, more prone to wear and tear.

This means that, in time, resin veneers may require touch-ups from your cosmetic dentist to maintain their appearance. For people that may only be looking for a temporary veneer treatment, this may be one option for the more expensive and permanent porcelain procedure.

---

Regardless of which veneer option you choose, a veneer is an optional cosmetic procedure. It is unlikely to be covered by typical dental plans that focus on health and maintenance. If you’d like to know more about veneers and how they can improve your appearance, make an appointment with our team at Marine Hills Dentistry today.