Cincinnati Cosmetic Dentist Offers Insight on Selecting Appropriate Porcelain Veneers Colors

October 15, 2007—CINCINNATI, OHIO— Porcelain veneers are an investment that if cared for properly, will last a lifetime. Making such a permanent improvement means that patients should put a great deal of thought and consideration into selecting the appropriate shade of porcelain veneers that will render the most natural results possible, said Cincinnati Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mindy Munowitz. Teeth are not monochromatic, so using porcelain veneers in a variety of shades yields a natural look, Munowitz said. First, let's define porcelain veneers. They are thin sheets of porcelain that can be affixed to the surface of a tooth to improve smiles by covering chipped, broken, stained or misshaped teeth. Porcelain is usually thought of as a delicate material, but when bonded to a tooth, it is incredibly strong and durable. Selecting a Veneer Shade Munowitz recommends patients undergo a teeth whitening treatment to whiten their natural teeth prior to placing porcelain veneers. Because veneers are extremely thin, a tooth that is dark or deeply stained could provide a shading effect once the veneers are affixed that causes the finished product to be darker than desired. Why not choose a thicker porcelain veneer? “The translucency of porcelain veneers is precisely the feature that enables them to so effectively imitate natural tooth enamel,” Munowitz said. Using more than one color in making the veneers also provides variation and avoids teeth looking artificial. Eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, while front teeth typically are the whitest. Molars most often are a shade between the two. Another important factor to consider is the surface texture of porcelain veneers, Munowitz said. Adequate texture helps to break up light reflections and make the veneer look more natural. There is no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color, according to (http://www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/tooth_veneers/veneer_color.html) www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com. The most often heard about, however, is the Vita shade guide. This guide divides tooth color into four basic shade ranges: A (reddish brown) B (reddish yellow) C (gray) D (reddish gray). In the A range there are five levels of darkness. Ranges B, C and D each have four levels. “Evaluating patients for porcelain veneers means considering how to achieve optimum results,” Munowitz said. “In addition to considering the color of the patient’s natural teeth, I also look at complexion and hair color, because I want the patient's smile to compliment all of his or her other facial features.” If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers or you would like to speak to a professional about cosmetic dentistry services provided by Dr. Munowitz, please call: (513) 755-8000, or visit www.smilesohio.com. nn© 2007 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Mindy Munowitz. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links. -end-nnnn