Veneers in Billerica

Improve your smile with

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are porcelain shells that are attached to your natural teeth to hide dental imperfections such as chipped or discolored teeth. They match the color of your natural teeth and require permanently shaving down the enamel of your natural teeth, so while veneers do not last forever, your decision to get veneers will have permanent effects. Veneers only cover the front surface of your teeth and do not replace them. To learn more about porcelain veneers, schedule a cosmetic consultation at North Billerica Smiles today.

Cover Dental Imperfections

Veneers For Cosmetic Reasons

Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure used to improve the aesthetic of your smile and achieve brighter, straighter teeth. Veneers can cover up chipped or cracked teeth, discoloration, abnormally shaped or small teeth, gaps, and damaged enamel. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and offer a natural-looking pearly white smile.

Preparation For Veneers

How To Prepare For Your Appointment

Committing to veneers is a serious decision that will have a permanent impact on your teeth. While veneers last for 10-15 years, the necessary shaving down of your enamel will last forever so you will need to replace the veneers or deal with the aftermath of shaving down your tooth enamel.
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During your consultation in Billerica, your dentist will evaluate your teeth and oral health to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. This consultation may consist of X-rays which can help identify if cavities or gum disease is present. If any problems with oral health are detected, then you may not be able to get veneers, at least not until you resolve these issues.

crafting veneers

How Veneers Are Designed

If the dentist has determined you are a good candidate for veneers, in a separate appointment, your teeth will be fitted for veneers. This consists of shaving down your tooth's enamel with a grinding tool that reduces your tooth by 1/2 mm.
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Then, the dentist will take impressions of your teeth so a mold can be created that will perfectly match the size and shape of your real teeth. Your teeth impressions are sent to a lab for a mold to be designed which can take 2-4 weeks. While you’re waiting, you can use temporary dental veneers.

Veneer Preparation

The Process Of Getting Veneers

When your veneer mold has been finished, you will have another appointment in Billerica to have your veneers properly placed in your mouth. Your dentist will check to make sure they fit and any other details of the veneers are to your liking or if they need adjustments. For the veneer placement, you will be given a local anesthetic.
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Once the mold has been determined to be suitable, your teeth will be cleaned to prevent bacteria from becoming trapped between your natural teeth and the veneers which can cause cavities. To create a rougher surface on your teeth, they will be roughed up (known as etching) using a grinding tool so it's easier for the veneer to adhere to the tooth.
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The actual adhesive used to bond the veneer to the tooth is dental cement and UV light is used to harden it fast. The whole process typically takes no longer than 2 hours.

veneer maintenance

How To Take Care Of Your Veneers

Veneers don't require a lengthy recovery process, because as soon as the veneers are placed on your teeth and your local anesthetic wears off, you're free to use your teeth like normal. There are, however, a few guidelines. Make sure to practice good oral hygiene in the form of regular brushing, flossing, dental cleanings, and checkups with your dentist in Billerica.
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To prevent damage to veneers, avoid chewing on hard foods or surfaces and do not use your teeth unnecessarily such as to open packages. When chewing foods, use your molars instead of your front teeth. Employ the use of a retainer if you experience teeth grinding and wear a mouthguard when playing sports.

what is a dental implant?

A dental implant includes two parts: an abutment and a restoration. Together, these two pieces create a permanent replacement tooth that looks and functions just like a natural one would.

how do dental implants work?

The first step of the dental implant process is a consultation at North Billerica Smiles. During your visit, we’ll assess your smile to see if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. If so, we’ll move onto the treatment planning phase.

One of our dentists will take x-rays and scans of your mouth, then use the detailed images of your teeth, gums, jawline, and surrounding bone structures to come up with a precise treatment plan. Once this is complete, you will come in for your oral surgery and your abutment will be placed in your gum. When this heals, this is the part of your implant that will function as an artificial tooth root.

3-6 Months after your abutment is places and your gums are fully healed, you’ll come back in for your final appointment. During your last visit, we’ll attach a dental crown or other restoration to the abutment, and this will create a replacement tooth that looks and feels natural. You’ll be able to chew, speak, and smile with ease - with no gaps in your teeth!

do dental implants hurt?

Since dental implants are an invasive oral surgery, you can expect to feel some pain. However, we use powerful numbing agents and anesthetics to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible during your procedure. What’s more, we also send you home with a prescription for medication that will help ease your pain, if necessary. We do everything in our power to provide a smooth, pain-free implant treatment.

how long do dental implants last?

With proper care and oral hygiene, your dental implant should last the rest of your life. We also offer maintenance appointments to help ensure that your implant stays in good shape throughout the years.

We Look Forward To Meeting You.

Please call 978.262.0023 or click below to set-up an appointment online.

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