San Francisco Veneers

A popular cosmetic service that patients come to Itani for are veneers. Porcelain veneers cover up your existing set of teeth for a white, straight smile. They are easy to install and practical for people with stains or gaps in their teeth.  The best part about veneers is they don’t look out of the ordinary. Plus, they last more than a decade. Itani dentists perform thousands of veneer bonds each year. The process takes about two to three weeks to complete.  

Porcelain Veneers are thin porcelain shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and are very popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped, or crooked. A veneer placed on top of your teeth can simply and quickly give you a beautiful smile!

The ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth can last well over a decade.

Itani Dental will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

THE PORCELAIN VENEER PROCEDURE

This procedure will require three appointments at Itani Dental:

• Diagnosis and treatment planning
• Preparation
• Bonding

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING

The details of the treatment will be determined and a treatment plan with costs will be prepared

Preparation

Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for added thickness. Approximately one-half of a millimeter of the tooth is removed.

This may require little or no local anesthesia.

Then a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. In some cases, temporary veneers will be placed at this time to add protection to the teeth.

BONDING

Two or three weeks after preparation, your porcelain veneers will be ready for your teeth. At the time of your third appointment, the doctor will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check the fit and color. At this point, the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the color is determined and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleaned with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a special light is used to harden the cement.

CARE & FOLLOW-UP OF PORCELAIN VENEERS

Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks. You may notice some changes in your bite or speech, but these will subside within a few days as your mouth and brain adjust to your new beautiful smile.

MAINTENANCE OF YOUR NEW PORCELAIN VENEERS

Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by doing so. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best aesthetic success of your veneer.

You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after the placement of your veneer. This is due to the amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate in one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists, please call the office.