Veneers

Teeth that are badly stained, shaped, or crooked may be improved by a veneer placed on the surface of the affected teeth.

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain or plastic cemented over the front of your teeth to change their color or shape. Veneers are used on teeth with uneven surfaces or that are chipped, discolored, oddly shaped, unevenly spaced, or crooked. Little or no anesthesia is needed. Veneers have a longer life expectancy and color stability than bonding and highly resist permanent staining from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking.

Veneers are usually made by a dental lab technician working from a model provided by your dentist. Veneers are usually irreversible because it`s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.

Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.

Typically, veneers entail at least three appointments: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.

During the tooth preparation visit, usually lasting one to two hours, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. During the same visit, a mold is taken from the teeth and sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers.

During the final "bonding" visit, also about one or two hours, the veneers are placed on the tooth surface with water or glycerin on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting on your teeth, they can be adjusted with various shades of cement to match the color of your teeth. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam, or laser, causes a catalyst to be released, hardening the cement.

During a two-week period of adjustment that follows, you may notice a change in the size and shape of your teeth. It is important to brush and floss daily. After one or two weeks, you`ll return for a follow-up appointment. Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It`s not uncommon to see slight variations in the color of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth.

For certain patients, no preparation of the teeth may be necessary. Please see our specialties page for more information.

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Dentist in Raleigh

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Say About Us

  • "Hands down best dentist and hygienist in the triangle. My wife and I both go there - if you have a problem Dr Ashley is going to do her very best to get you in and get you fixed. We love her and her fabulous staff."
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  • "DR Lloyd is amazing! I have had two chipped teeth over the past few weeks and she has squeezed me in the same day both times. The most recent one was today which happens to be the day before Christmas Eve. Thank you DR Lloyd!"
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  • "Dr. Lloyd and her staff are wonderful. I have always hated to go "the dentist" and therefore put off appointments for years! I am very glad that I decided to trust my teeth and care to this office! They have helped to ease my fear and anxiety and get the job done easily and quickly! I already have my next 6 month appointment made and I will look forward to being there."
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  • "Dr. Lloyd and her staff are amazing. I actually look forward to going to the dentist. If you are looking for an outstanding dentist with an excellent staff; look no further, Dr. Lloyd is the best of the best. From cleanings to crowns, it's always a great experience."
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