How to Get a Hollywood Smile

Many of our patients have concerns about stained, discolored teeth and uneven or malformed teeth. The most up-to-date cosmetic dental technique currently available to correct such problems is customized porcelain veneers. Veneers are thin, semi- translucent “shells” that fit over the front of the teeth. Due to minimum tooth reduction, this procedure is a more conservative alternative to dental crowns.

After thoroughly assessing your oral health and determining that porcelain veneers are right for you, impressions are taken at our Park Ridge dentist office and a shade is carefully selected. A trusted dental laboratory fabricates the veneers based on the impressions. At your second appointment, we will check the fit, make adjustments if necessary, and then permanently bond the veneers into place.  Your final result is a great looking smile!

Minimal Prep and No-Prep Veneers

No-prep veneers are ultra-thin veneers that require little to no removal of tooth structure prior to placement Many patients express the desire to retain as much of their natural tooth structure as possible, in case they decide someday to have the veneers removed. Because minimal prep and no-prep veneers are so thin, they may not be appropriate for every patient. For instance, severe tooth stains cannot be adequately masked using ultra-thin veneers. However, for the right patient, no-prep veneers can help create an electrifying smile!

Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers

For the most part, porcelain veneers do not require any special cleaning technique. However, you will need to continue brushing and flossing regularly, to keep them healthy and bright. The one change you will have to make is switching to non-abrasive toothpaste (Dr. Loukas can recommend a preferred brand) since the abrasive agents in many toothpastes can scratch dental porcelain and make them more susceptible to stains. Be sure not to engage in activities that can chip or damage the veneers, such as chewing on ice or biting your nails, and if you participate in sports, be sure to wear a protective mouth guard.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Park Ridge Dentist

A beautiful, healthy smile is within your reach, with the help of Drs. Thanasi and Maria Loukas at Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge. To schedule an appointment with your Park Ridge dentist today, contact us at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 zip code area, we proudly serve patients and families from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.