What Are Lumineers?

Lumineers are veneers made of a porcelain patented by Cerinate.  Cerinate has developed contact-lens-thin porcelain technology that provides beauty and strength, while preserving your natural tooth structure.  That means you can correct a wide variety of unsightly dental distortions or conditions and remove little or no tooth structure.  When little or no tooth structure has to be removed, the Lumineers can be custom fabricated for you without the use of needles or drilling.

Lumineers can be used to correct tooth discoloration, noticeable gaps, permanent stains, broken or misshapen teeth, and Lumineers can even bond to existing crowns and bridgework without having to replace them.  You can fix uneven spacing, lengthen short teeth, and reshape awkward teeth.

Lumineers are thin porcelain shields that are bonded to the front of your teeth to create dramatic changes in your smile.

Lumineers aren’t appropriate for every person wanting to transform their smile with veneers.  In some instances we have to remove tooth structure from some or all of the teeth that are being veneered in order to create a harmonious result.  In such a case, Lumineers are not the best option for you, necessarily.  Other dental porcelains may be better suited to get to your beautiful smile.

Typically Lumineers require two dental visits just as other veneers do.  Placement of the Lumineers usually is one hour.

Long-term clinical research with Lumineers by Cerinate (over 20 years) shows 100% retention with no discoloration.

Call us to find out how Lumineers and cosmetic dentistry can transform your smile and your life.  For information about other dental topics visit www.TavorminaDentistry.com

What Advantantages Do Veneers Offer?

There are many benefits and advantages to having porcelain veneers applied to your front teeth.  These may include any or all of the following considerations:

1. Only a small amount of natural tooth structure (if any) is removed during the procedure.
2. A healthy, natural look is achieved with little or no discomfort.
3. Veneers are strong, durable and color-stable.

Veneers differ from fillings and crowns.  Tooth-colored fillings are usually used when a small amount of tooth structure needs replacing and repair.  A full crown is indicated when a tooth has had root canal therapy or when a substantial amount of the entire tooth structure has been lost.  A porcelain veneer is indicated when a portion of the front surface of a tooth needs a “face lift.”

Similar to a resin bonding procedure, veneers are attached directly to the existing tooth structure.  We take an impression of your tooth to make an exact replica.  During your appointment, we treat your tooth with a mild conditioning solution.  Before the veneer is placed, we apply a tooth-colored liquid bonding material, which helps the veneer adhere to your natural tooth.

Veneers can last for years, depending on how well you take care of them.  Because veneers are stronger than simple bonding, they are also more resistant to stains and chipping.  However, it is important to maintain regular oral hygiene, to avoid bad habits such as biting nails or chewing ice and to visit us regularly for routine cleanings and exams.  These precautions will help ensure that your veneers will last a long time and keep looking as good as new.

For information about other dental topics visit www.TavorminaDentistry.com

The Facts About Dental Veneers

Veneers are usually made of porcelain and are eggshell thin porcelain that is bonded to the enamel surface of teeth to make cosmetic changes.  They are therefore usually placed on the front teeth to make changes that enhance a smile or make corrections in form and color.  Even a subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel and on your social outlook and veneers are a wonderful cosmetic dentistry option to make those subtle changes that can make all the difference in the world to you and open the door for you to smile with freedom and confidence.

Veneers are a cosmetic alternative for a variety of dental conditions affecting the front teeth, including:

•  Closing diastemas (spaces between the teeth)
•  Restoring broken or chipped teeth
•  Covering unsightly, stained or washed-out fillings
•  Whitening permanently stained or discolored teeth
•  Correcting uneven or crooked teeth

When your smile is disfigured by decay, wear, chipping, breakage or imperfect development, our goal is to restore its natural beauty, so you can smile with confidence.  At one time, resin fillings or crowns were the only available treatment for the above types of conditions.  Today, a third alternative is available with veneers!

For more information about dental veneers follow our blog and visit www.TavorminaDentistry.com

Cosmetic Dental Treatment Choices

We think everyone ought to have the look of confidence that shows through when you  have a healthy smile.  Modern dental techniques make it easier than ever to have the kind of smile you’ve dreamed of in less time than you may have thought possible.

What “tricks” does dentistry have up its sleeve to beautify your smile?

1. Cosmetic Bonding – This process involves applying a synthetic, tooth-colored material to your teeth to rebuild or cosmetically sculpt them into a new, desired shape.
2. Crowns – This procedure involves reshaping the tooth so a permanent custom-designed replacement tooth can be placed over it to protect weak tooth structure or improve tooth appearance.  The crown, sometimes called a cap, is cemented or bonded to the tooth surface and is often made of porcelain to look as natural as possible.
3. Fixed Bridges – These dental appliances are nonremovable and serve to replace missing teeth.
4. Full or Partial Dentures – These removable appliances serve to replace missing teeth.
5. Orthodontics – This process straightens or realigns crooked or poorly positioned teeth.
6. Porcelain Veneers – These tooth-colored laminates are custom fitted to cover the front surfaces of your natural teeth to provide a better color, texture, or shape.
7. Tooth Whitening – This process involves applying a whitening solution or gel to lighten the teeth.  It is a safe, effective procedure for some types of tooth discoloration.  There are in-office and take-home varieties.
8. Snap-On Smile – This is a plastic appliance that goes over existing teeth to change the shape, fill in gaps, and replace missing teeth.  It does not cover the biting surfaces of the teeth and comes in and out for daily cleaning.

If you're in the northern New Jersey areal, please call us at 973-761-5090 to arrange for a consultation to discuss which option might be best for you to achieve a beautiful, healthy, new smile.

For information about other dental topics visit www.DrTav.com