Dr. Jason Baldwin offers a full range of treatment options, including porcelain veneers in Lake Tahoe, CA. He has been helping patients achieve their dream smile with personalized cosmetic dentistry.
Highly trained in the latest techniques and using high-quality materials, Dr. Baldwin combines skill and an eye for the aesthetic when placing custom dental veneers with natural-looking results. Porcelain veneers can be a permanent solution for cosmetic concerns such as tooth discoloration, a misshapen tooth, gaps between teeth, or damaged teeth.
What Do Veneers Treat?
Made of an ultra-thin but highly durable layer of porcelain ceramic, porcelain veneers are custom color-matched and fit for your smile. Once placed, they will reflect light much like natural teeth and provide many years of wear and stain resistance due to the quality of the material and the high standard of care we offer when it comes to cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. Considered a permanent dental restoration, porcelain veneers can be used to address:
- Aging teeth that have worn down
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Stained, discolored, or yellowed teeth that do not respond to teeth whitening
- Stained, unsightly, or washed-out fillings
- Misshapen or crooked teeth that do not need orthodontic treatment
- Gaps between teeth
Are Veneers Right For Me?
To be a good candidate for veneers, you need a healthy layer of enamel on your teeth. This is because veneers need a strong surface to bond to in order to stay securely in place. If your enamel is too thin, the veneers may not adhere properly or could become loose over time.
Another consideration is teeth grinding or clenching, which is known as bruxism. This habit puts a lot of pressure on your teeth and can damage veneers, causing them to crack or chip. If you grind or clench your teeth, veneers might not be the best option for you unless you’re committed to protecting them.
One way to do this is by wearing a custom mouthguard or nightguard while you sleep. A nightguard cushions your teeth and reduces the pressure caused by grinding, helping to extend the life of your veneers and protect your natural teeth.
Our dentist can evaluate your enamel and discuss ways to manage bruxism to help you decide if veneers are a good choice for your smile.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Getting veneers is usually a permanent decision because your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from the surface of your teeth to place them. Once the enamel is removed, it doesn’t grow back. This means you will always need veneers or some other form of coverage for those teeth.
The Porcelain Veneer Process
The first step is a consultation with Dr. Baldwin at his Lake Tahoe, CA cosmetic dentistry office. He will determine if you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers and that they will meet your oral health and cosmetic goals. Dr. Baldwin will meet with you to evaluate your dental health and discuss your concerns before creating a personalized treatment plan for you.
Tooth Preparation and Impressions
First, we will prepare the teeth to be treated by removing as little surface structure as possible. This will ensure a comfortable placement and fit for the veneers. Then, we will take dental impressions of your teeth. We color-match your teeth to ensure your veneers match your desired tooth shade.
Dr. Baldwin uses digital color matching software. This software brings a level of accuracy to your treatment planning that cannot be achieved with the naked eye. It provides customized results to meet and exceed your expectations for a smile that looks natural.
Temporary Veneers
We will send dental impressions to a local dental lab. Technicians will ensure your custom veneers match the shape and shade of natural teeth. In the meantime, we will place temporary veneers on the teeth for comfort and appearance until the final restoration is ready.
Final Adjustments
Once the custom porcelain veneers are complete, you will return to our cosmetic dentistry office in Lake Tahoe, CA, for the final placement of your restorations. We will make any necessary last-minute adjustments for a comfortable and stable fit. Then, we will permanently secure the veneers. We use a bonding material for a secure fit then polish veneers for a natural shine.
How to Care for Veneers
After you get porcelain veneers in our Lake Tahoe office, you can follow these tips to keep your veneers, teeth, and gums healthy:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Just like with natural teeth, brushing and flossing daily is crucial. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to clean your veneers without causing damage. Floss carefully around the edges of your veneers to keep your gums and the spaces between your teeth clean. A good routine will keep your veneers bright.
Avoid Hard or Sticky Foods
While porcelain veneers are durable, they’re not indestructible. Avoid biting into hard items like ice, hard candy, or nutshells, which could chip or crack your veneers. Sticky foods like caramel or taffy can also pull on your veneers, so it’s best to avoid them.
Limit Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks
While veneers resist staining, the bonding material used to attach them can sometimes discolor. Limit beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and soda to prevent uneven staining. You can also drink them with a straw to minimize contact with your veneers.
Visit Our Dentist Regularly
Regular dental checkups are essential for keeping your veneers and your overall oral health in great shape. During these visits, our dentist will check the condition of your veneers and ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. Professional cleanings will also remove plaque and tartar buildup that you can’t reach when you brush and floss.
Get a Brighter, Straighter Smile
You can change your smile without teeth whitening treatment or metal braces. If you want porcelain veneers in the Lake Tahoe, CA, and Truckee, CA, area, schedule an appointment with Dr. Baldwin. He will discuss your cosmetic goals and budget concerns to determine if porcelain veneers are right for you.