This treatment is exciting but care needs to be taken to ensure the correct steps are taken.

It is important that we discuss the options fully. Looking at what you would like to be changed about the present appearance of your teeth. Factors to look into include;

• Crowding can be decreased
• Spaces can be filled (or reopened)
• Midline shift can be corrected (several mm’s is acceptable provided the teeth are vertical)
• Rotations / Angulations / Tilting can be corrected
• Teeth levels can be altered to bring them to a consistent level
• Ideal tooth shade/ colour can be produced, hiding any imperfections (including mottling due to fluorosis, visible cracks, internal staining, dark shade due to loss of tooth vitality, stained filling margins). Orthodontics alone cannot correct this.
• Tooth shape and size can also be modified to match your personality OR perhaps made to match teeth in earlier years, perhaps using photos for guidance. Orthodontics alone cannot correct this.
• Stability of occlusion (relationship between your upper and lower jaws) can be achieved/ conformed to.

B. Smile Design

We can then design a fresh smile to you prescription and perhaps produce a “smile design” printout (aesthetic prediction) of what we believe can be achieved in your case. Clearly this is for guidance only and any alterations you wish to make can be added to the guide.

C. 3D Diagnostic wax-up

Using the Smile Design as a guide my laboratory can use tooth coloured wax to create the ideal aesthetics upon the casts of your present situation. This “diagnostic wax-up” will thus give you a good idea of what we can achieve (but also what you want).

D. Prototype Veneers / Crowns

The (3D Diagnostic wax-up) models can be used to fabricate prototype (resin) veneers/ crowns (sometimes known as “mock-ups”). These can be fitted over your existing teeth and provide you with a clearer idea of what the finished veneers will look like in your mouth. Any alterations can then be made to these prototype veneers for your satisfaction.

We will need to check out how any changes we are proposing will affect your appearance, your speech and your chewing power before embarking upon the final step of final Veneer production.
When we are happy a mould is then taken, returned to the lab and used as a guide in the fabrication of your finished veneers.

E. Shade Taking

In most cases the shade is taken by my ceramicist who makes the porcelain veneers/ crowns. His equipment and skill allows subtle shade variations to be added to the work, providing a superior natural appearance.

F. Final Porcelain Veneers

The Final Porcelain Veneers checked in position then bonded to the teeth using tooth coloured wear-resistant resin. Very minor adjustments can then be made however this has not been required in any of our cases yet. A protective shield is provided to ensure the restorations are not damaged during sleep etc.