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Porcelain VeneersSt Albert, Alberta

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Are your teeth dull or discolored? Have chips or wear you want to repair? You can look and feel your absolute best with minimal downtime, thanks to the magic of porcelain veneers.

St Albert veneer expert Dr. Robert Lesniak is a board-certified prosthodontist with a focus on cosmetic dentistry, including the application of porcelain veneers. His years of experience have given him the ability to serve his patients with outstanding, personalized care. At his practice in St Albert, Alberta, Dr. Lesniak dedicates himself to making the lives of his porcelain veneer patients more beautiful by making their smiles shine.

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a type of dental prosthetic used to enhance the size, shape, or color of a tooth. Some may cover the entire tooth, while others may only be applied to one face. They are chemically bonded to the tooth and provide lasting alteration and protection and can be customized to fit almost any condition.

Over time, teeth can become worn down, broken, or discolored. Repeated use, accidental trauma, unconscious habits, congenital problems, naturally poorly shaped teeth, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to the damage your teeth experience. In many cases, the damage is not severe enough to warrant the replacement of the tooth, but repair, augmentation, and protection are still desired.

St Albert porcelain Veneers model laughing

How do I know if porcelain veneers are right for me?

Veneers can be used to effectively treat a variety of adverse tooth conditions. Some of these are:

  • Discoloration
  • Mild to moderate wear or smoothing
  • Broken or chipped teeth
  • Thin enamel
  • Irregular shape
  • Misalignment
  • Gaps between teeth

There are some situations where porcelain veneers may not be recommended. Patients with poor oral hygiene, a significant number of cavities, or untreated gum disease should probably not get porcelain veneers. Also, other options should be considered if you tend to grind or clench your teeth. If you already have other large restorations or the enamel on your teeth has excessively eroded, veneers may not be right for you.

Veneer Composition

When considering porcelain veneers, it is essential that the dental foundation is intact and free of active cavities or infections.

Furthermore, you should have healthy gums. If gum disease is present, it must be controlled. You must also have a stable bite. If necessary, Dr. Lesniak can provide additional treatment to create the optimal foundation for your veneers. During your consultation for porcelain veneers St Albert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Lesniak will assess your condition, explain your options and his recommendations, and work with you to create a fully personalized veneer treatment plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Porcelain

Porcelain or a porcelain ceramic hybrid are the materials of choice for most veneer applications. It closely mimics the functional and aesthetic properties of natural teeth and can be cared for in the same manner. Porcelain is considered strong and durable. Porcelain veneers can be customized into a full crown that fits over the entire tooth or applied as thin layers of laminate.

Composite

Veneers made with composite use moldable cement made of synthetic resins. These veneers can often be placed directly, meaning Dr. Lesniak shapes them in the mouth. In some cases, they may need to be fabricated in a lab and then bonded to the tooth. Composite veneers tend to be less durable and stain-resistant than porcelain veneers, but they are typically less expensive.

St Albert porcelain Veneers model smiling

Veneers vs. Crowns

While veneers and dental crowns are similar, these different dental prosthetics each have advantages and disadvantages and can be appropriate in different situations.

Veneers

  • A thin layer of material
  • Can cover a part of the tooth
  • Requires sufficient enamel

Crowns

  • Thicker material
  • Covers the entire tooth
  • Can restore significant tooth damage
  • Requires significant preparation and reshaping
  • Provides greater protection

St Albert porcelain veneers expert Dr. Robert Lesniak will examine your condition closely to help you determine whether veneers or crowns are best suited to address your concerns.

Porcelain Veneer Procedure & Recovery

As a prosthodontist, Dr. Lesniak's commitment to providing you with the most holistically beneficial treatment requires a thorough assessment of your mouth's condition and function, as well as your dental records, previous procedures, and medical history if necessary.

In addition, Dr. Lesniak will use x-ray and any other necessary imaging to achieve the fullest understanding of your needs. We dedicate a lot of time to understanding your smile goals. We will discuss your desired tooth shape, size, and proportions from which to design your veneers. We ask patients to bring in photos or magazines for visual reference and use mock-ups and digital renderings to envision the final results.

Additional Reading

This exceptional attention to detail gives our patients confidence that they are receiving the highest level of care and will achieve their ideal smile. Dr. Lesniak will use all of the gathered information to formulate plans for all available treatment options and go over the details of each with you to determine your course of action. Depending on your needs, your veneer procedure may greatly vary from another patient's, and some patients require additional treatment to ensure the best results.

Porcelain Veneer Results

Once the long-term veneers have been installed, your smile should be instantly brighter. It may take a few days for your mouth and gums to fully adjust to their presence, but the difference will be immediately obvious.

Dr. Lesniak will schedule a follow-up appointment with you two weeks after your procedure. At that time, he will confirm the fit and check to ensure that your gums are adjusting properly to the veneers. Dr. Lesniak follows up with patients at regular intervals (in addition to regular cleanings and checkups) to ensure proper care and maintenance of your work. This makes veneers with Dr. Lesniak a predictable solution to enhancing your smile.

Additional Reading

The duration of your veneers will depend on their material, your oral hygiene routine, and your lifestyle. Veneers are documented to have very good success and survival at the five, 10, and 20-year mark if appropriately utilized in the proper patient. Problems can arise such as cavities, gum disease, recession, chipping, debonding, among others that will affect how long a veneer or veneers can last. Typically, you can care for your rejuvenated teeth just like your natural teeth — with regular brushing, flossing, and dental exams and cleanings. While some veneers resist staining very well, they cannot be whitened.

Schedule your St Albert Veneers consultation with Dr. Robert Lesniak today

Are you ready to make your teeth function and look their best? Dr. Lesniak can explore the promise veneers may hold for you. His expertise and artistic eye can show you the way to look and feel your most beautiful today! To request an appointment, you can fill out the consultation form or call our St Albert, Alberta clinic at (780) 459-3044.

Porcelain Veneers
Frequently Asked Questions

There is very little pain associated with the veneer procedure. Dr. Lesniak uses anesthetic and careful tooth preparation to improve outcomes with minimal discomfort.

While very safe, getting veneers does carry some risks. Among them:

  • The process is permanent
  • Veneers can chip or crack and typically cannot be repaired
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
  • The color of the veneers may not exactly match your other teeth (especially as your natural teeth darken over time)
  • Any time a tooth is prepared, there is a risk of requiring a root canal
  • Future recession can expose the veneer tooth junction
  • With all cases, we go through a detailed risk analysis with the patient prior to starting treatment

Most of the time, dental insurance plans do not cover the cost of veneers. However, we recommend you check with your provider before your consultation.

St. Albert and Edmonton Implant Dentistry

For results you will love for years to come, turn to the prosthodontic dental skills of Dr. Robert Lesniak. Dr. Lesniak operates out of St. Albert. Conveniently located just north of the Anthony Henday, Dr. Lesniak makes sure each new patient is treated like family and receives undivided attention and impeccable care. Schedule your consultation today and get the smile you’ve been waiting for so long to share with the world!

202-225 Carleton Drive, St. Albert, Alberta