Natural Cosmetic Dentistry

Ultra-thin Veneers

We have all heard the saying that "Less Is More." Well, this is very true when it comes to veneers and to building a truly extraordinary smile with natural cosmetic dentistry.

The cheaper and more common approach to placing dental veneers can be very destructive and produces results that look fake and unnatural. This is largely due to the aggressive preparatory work done to remove excessive amounts of tooth enamel, in some extreme cases the teeth are ground down to mere nubs. Then a thick veneer is placed over the remaining enamel.

These thick veneers are inferior. They lack the strength of natural teeth and so are prone to cracking, fractures, and falling off. The thicker material lacks the natural translucence of a tooth, so they look artificial in both color and translucence. The thickness commonly creates fit issues at the gum line, causing gum inflammation and discomfort. Moreover, perhaps worst of all, the aggressive removal of the natural tooth structure permanently weakens the teeth and is irreversible.

So why would anyone do these thicker veneers? The main reasons are that they are so much easier, cheaper, and require far less experience and skill for the dentist to place and most patients aren’t educated to know the difference.

Ultra-thin veneers are highly customized to your mouth and to your bite. They fit well and have tremendous natural strength, as they are closely bonded to your natural enamel. They require an absolute MINIMUM removal of enamel and have a natural luminance that creates a radiant and beautiful smile.

They also require a high level of skill and experience to place, which means more initial expense, but when it comes to your health, comfort, and to the smile that the rest of the world will see and judge you by, there is no doubt as to its value and worth.

Our veneer process

When we say "our veneer process," we are including you in this collaboration. Unlike dental restorations and repairs, the task of natural cosmetic dentistry is to transform the way you look and it can profoundly change the way others see and think of you, so it is very important we include you in this process.

Surveys and studies have all clearly demonstrated that our smiles are the top item that people judge us by and remember. Therefore, we take great pains at the onset to consult with you, to understand your needs and to make all the right choices for a smile that completely fits you, your face, your life, and your mouth’s unique structure.

Quite often, this requires bite adjustments, checking materials for suitability and compatibility, gum sculpturing, tooth restorations, and color matching.

Along with discussing your expectations and desires, we go through a comprehensive checklist that enables us to ensure teeth and other structures are in optimal condition to support cosmetic dental treatment. We take diagnostic images, create mouth models (impressions), and pull together all the information necessary for Dr. O'Malley to chart the optimal treatment plan and to make his recommendations to you.

Then, considering the various aspects of your unique oral anatomy and combining these with your desired result, a final recommendation for treatment can be made together with you.

To help you fully envision your future smile, at this point we create a wax-up, or model of what your smile will look like after cosmetic treatment.

A step closer to your dream smile!

The next major step for you, after any restorations and such, is the placement of a set of temporary veneers. It is critical that these temporaries are put in place to allow you to try-on your new smile before the final veneers are bonded to teeth. This allows any minor adjustments to bite, fit, color, size, and such. We place the temporaries and then you get to wear these for a few days, or even a few weeks, to makes sure that everything is "just right" for you.

Then, once you have approved of the size, shape, color, and other characteristics of your smile, we can order the final veneers from the dental lab.

Once we receive the final veneers, you return to have the temporaries removed, the final veneers placed, any adjustments are made, and you have now arrived at that great place with a beautiful, new smile.

The entire veneer process can be completed within a relatively short time, all with minimally invasive techniques that help you save your natural teeth for life! In keeping the maximum amount of natural structure intact, we decrease the possible need for root canal therapy or other restorative care in the future, something our patients appreciate.

Caring for your veneers

The beauty of ultra-thin veneers and a minimally invasive technique is that due to the preservation of enamel and an incredibly strong bonding process, your veneers can last for years with good care.

It is common sense that anything that can break a natural tooth can also break a veneer. Which means that normal precautions against habits such as grinding or clenching, biting or chewing on hard objects, or using teeth as a pair of pliers should be avoided.

If you are a "night grinder," we will recommend a custom-made mouth guard for sleeping. This guard is made from impressions taken of your mouth, and it will be custom fit for your comfort and protection.

Gum Contouring for Exceptional Symmetry

Due to the extent of diagnostic imaging and evaluation we conduct in the creation of a personalized dental plan, it is possible to detect the presence of asymmetry in the gums. Because the front teeth are naturally the first place to draw the eye, it is imperative that beauty harmonizes with the rest of the face.

Gum contouring at Natural Cosmetic Dentistry can make a shorter tooth or teeth appear longer and can minimize the appearance of too much gum tissue in the smile. Symmetry, as mentioned, where gum tissue falls over consecutive teeth in a uniform manner, is also achieved with this gentle treatment. When necessary, laser gum therapy may be conducted to treat infection.

We use a precision laser instrument for our gum contouring procedures. This method has taken a once-complex process and has simplified it. Due to the nature of light therapy and the effect that laser energy has on tissue, gums can be sculpted and "sealed" by the immediate coagulation of blood in a very accurate, very quick technique. Gum contouring takes just a few minutes per tooth but adds life, health, and beauty to your smile that lasts a lifetime.

We love helping you to feel great about your appearance, your health, and your well-being with the best in holistic and personal dental are.

Call to schedule your visit to our Natural Cosmetic Dentistry office in Los Angeles.