COSMETIC DENTISTRY
ACHIEVE STUNNING SMILE IMPROVEMENTS
As a prosthodontist, Dr. Kathryn Ryan has trained extensively in cosmetic dentistry so that she can ensure treatment results that are not only reliably durable for her patients, but beautifully lifelike as well. If you’re interested in refreshing your look and repairing lackluster teeth, please contact our Jacksonville, FL office to schedule a cosmetic consultation. We look forward to helping you achieve changes that not only meet your needs but exceed your expectations as well.
DENTAL VENEERS
Whether you are looking for a smile makeover or to fix a cosmetic correction, veneers are often an excellent option. There are primarily two types of dental veneers: porcelain and composite. Determining which type of veneer is right for you comes down to multiple different factors. Below we have outlined the differences between composite veneers and porcelain veneers with Parkway Prosthodontics.
PORCELAIN VENEERS VS. COMPOSITE VENEERS
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain adhered to the top layer of the tooth. Composite veneers are engineered resin affixed to the top layer. Both are made to match your teeth (or whiten) and improve your overall smile.
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PORCELAIN VENEERS
Porcelain veneers are high-quality, ultra-thin restorations that are designed to fit over the visible surfaces of front teeth. This technique allows us to treat several dental flaws at once for patients in need, hiding their existing smile behind a new, flaw-free appearance that will stand out in the best way. The structure of porcelain veneers is always very resistant to staining, even more so than your natural enamel. You can look forward to enjoying these improvements for 10-15 years or even longer with the proper maintenance.
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APPOINTMENT TIME
The quicker of the two dental veneers to be applied to the teeth are composite veneers. This is because they can be done chairside in the same visit. Dr. Kathryn Ryan will match the resin to the shade of your surrounding teeth for the most natural look. The resin is added to your teeth, cured, and then polished. You can walk out the same day with a new smile! For porcelain veneers, Dr. Ryan will remove a very thin layer of your teeth, take an impression of the teeth receiving the veneers and send the mold out to a lab. While you are waiting on your veneer(s) to be fabricated you can wear temporary veneers. When you come back for your second visit, your porcelain veneers will be bonded to your teeth with cement.
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VENEER DURABILITY
With proper care, porcelain veneers should last 10-15 years. Composite veneers, on the other hand, typically last 4-8 years. While porcelain is fragile, once bonded to a healthy tooth it is extremely durable. Composite is durable but not as strong as porcelain and is more prone to chipping. However, if damage were to happen to a porcelain veneer, it would have to be replaced, it cannot be repaired. If you chip a composite veneer, you can repair it.
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VENEER AESTHETICS
The translucent properties of porcelain allow the veneer to catch light extremely similar to the way a natural tooth does. While composite resin still looks great, porcelain is unmatched. An incredible benefit of porcelain veneers is they are stain-resistant. If you receive this type of veneer on most of your upper and lower teeth, this could mean no more having to whiten your natural teeth. Composite resin will stain like natural teeth.
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VENEER COST
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite initially. The placement of porcelain takes more time, expertise, and resources. The dental lab’s dentists work with are chosen very carefully and cost money to fabricate restorations. If you break down costs by how often you would have to replace/repair composite verse porcelain though, the cost could come out even over time.
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Contact Parkway Prosthodontics to schedule a porcelain veneer consultation in Jacksonville, FL today!
METAL-FREE RESTORATIONS
When your smile is in need of restorative work (like dental crowns, inlays, or onlays) to regain its full strength and confidence, rest assured that Dr. Ryan will prioritize aesthetics every step of the way. Our practice offers all-ceramic materials that are free of metal and exceedingly lifelike – in fact, they even reflect light just like tooth enamel. Their biocompatible nature is also very comfortable within the mouth and safe for patients who’ve struggled with sensitivities/allergies to dental metals in the past.
DIRECT COSMETIC TOOTH BONDING
Small dental flaws, such as gaps between teeth or chips in the enamel, can still demand your attention every morning in the bathroom mirror. Thankfully, direct bonding is a simple and effective way to correct your smile’s shine. Dr. Ryan will use tooth-colored composite resin (the same material that creates tooth-colored fillings) and apply it directly to the requested tooth’s surface, sculpting it into a pleasingly lifelike shape. In most cases, this process only requires a single appointment of your time.
TEETH WHITENING
Stains, yellowing, and dark discoloration can all rob your teeth of their natural shine over the years, making it difficult to smile with complete confidence. At Parkway Prosthodontics, Dr. Ryan offers professional teeth whitening options that can improve their shade dramatically. If you prefer fast results, in-office Opalescence teeth whitening is completed in just one appointment. Alternatively, take-home kits can be used on a more flexible schedule and will create the same beautiful improvements over a few weeks of use.
GUM RECONTOURING
If your natural gum line is noticeably unsymmetrical or excessive, aesthetic gum recontouring may be Dr. Ryan’s recommendation. She will use a state-of-the-art soft tissue laser to precisely sculpt the soft tissue, reveal the beautiful dental structure that was unnecessarily hidden, and create a more pleasing overall appearance for your smile. This technology improves patient comfort and reduces unpleasant post-operative symptoms like oral bleeding and swelling as well.
