Improve your smile with cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers in Burr Ridge, IL

You have just seven seconds to make a good first impression. Having a beautiful, healthy smile boosts your self-esteem, helping you make positive impressions in your personal and professional lives. Crooked, discolored, or gapped teeth can detract from your smile. In Burr Ridge, IL, Dr. Janet Stopka offers cosmetic dentistry services including porcelain veneers to perfect your smile. 

Customized treatment plan

The number of cosmetic dental procedures has steadily increased over the years. Patients are searching for ways to achieve brighter, more beautiful smiles. Dr. Stopka understands the importance of a healthy smile and how it affects a patient’s quality of life. Cosmetic dentistry refers to the procedures and treatments that alter the physical appearance of your teeth and/or gums. Although an enhanced smile is the main benefit and reason for cosmetic services, a patient’s oral health is established and maintained in the process.

Every patient has unique needs. Prior to a cosmetic procedure, a consultation and examination are performed to review a patient’s current oral health, medical history, appropriateness of the desired procedure, and anticipated outcome. This ensures there are no problems that may interfere with the cosmetic process but also that your teeth, gums, and oral cavity are healthy. Dr. Stopka will determine the most appropriate procedure to enhance your smile.

Cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers

Veneers were originally designed in the 1920’s to improve the smiles of Hollywood actors and actresses. These veneers temporarily improved smiles while filming. Technology and materials have vastly improved over time. Now a stunning smile is available for everyone, not just Hollywood’s elite.

Veneers are used to cosmetically alter the smile. They are ultra-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to the front of the teeth. Porcelain is a glass or ceramic material. The material resembles tooth enamel in color and opalescence. Veneers may be used to change the appearance of the size, shape, and color of the teeth. They may be used on a single tooth or multiple teeth to correct dental imperfections. The result is a more uniform, beautiful smile.

The veneer process

Veneers are custom-created for each patient using impressions of the teeth. Following the consultation, there is an appointment to prepare the teeth for veneers. Since veneers are ultra-thin, a minimal amount of the tooth has to be prepped. Once prepared, impressions of the teeth can be taken. Using a shading guide, the teeth are color matched to find the most appropriate color for your teeth. The impressions and dentist’s notes are sent to a laboratory for fabrication. The goal is for the veneers to look natural and to blend seamlessly.

Once the veneers have been fabricated, they can be bonded to the teeth. The final shade and shape of the veneers are approved before being adhered. Once approved, the teeth are cleaned and polished. An etching gel is applied to help with the bonding process. Then, the veneers are cemented to your teeth. Any residual material is removed, and the patient’s bite is checked. The patient leaves the office with a beautiful smile.

Benefits of veneers for crooked, gapped, or discolored teeth

Imperfections such as gapped, stained, or chipped teeth are no match for porcelain veneers. As a cosmetic dentistry procedure, veneers have benefits for smile enhancement.

• Thin – Generally less than 1mm thick, veneers are about the thickness of a fingernail. The patient’s teeth are prepared to allow room for the veneer. The veneer and natural tooth should blend together seamlessly for a natural-looking result.
• Versatile – Used to disguise dental imperfections such as chips, cracks, gaps, or discolorations, veneers can be used to alter a single tooth or multiple for a smile makeover. Crooked teeth can be addressed as well.
• Durable – Porcelain is sturdy, durable, and long-lasting. It can withstand the functions of a natural tooth.
• Safe – Porcelain is metal-free and safe for patients.
• Custom designed – Veneers are created individually using impressions of the patient’s teeth and specifications. They are matched to the surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color to produce a natural-looking smile.

If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry services, schedule an appointment with Dr. Stopka in Burr Ridge, IL. Contact our office to schedule your appointment. Call (630) 756-5844.