Our Services

LVI Dentist

Porcelain Veneers

Dr. Laz N. Kavouklis and Dr. Nick L. Kavouklis are both trained by the Las Vegas Institute (LVI).

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front and top surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility. With veneers as an alternative, there is no reason to put up with gaps between your teeth, teeth that are stained, badly shaped, or crooked. Veneers placed on top of your teeth can correct these maladies simply and quickly and help you achieve a beautiful smile!

Will They Look Like Normal Teeth?

When bonded to the teeth, the ultra-thin porcelain veneers are virtually undetectable and highly resistant to coffee, tea, or even cigarette stains. For strength and appearance, their resemblance to healthy, white tooth enamel is unsurpassed by other restorative options. Because they are thin, light can shine through them and they take on the natural color of the underlying tooth.

How Durable Are Porcelain Veneers?

With proper care, porcelain veneers will brighten your smile for well over a decade.
Dr. K and Dr. Nick will ensure that your veneers are crafted from the highest quality porcelains and are bonded with the most advanced and proven materials available.

The Veneering Procedure

This procedure will require three to four appointments:

  • Diagnosis and treatment planning
  • Mock wax-up (if needed)
  • Preparation of the teeth
  • Placement and bonding of the porcelain veneers

Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. Dr. Laz N. Kavouklis and Dr. Nick L. Kavouklis will work with you concerning your wants and needs and they will review the corrective limitations of veneers to help you plan your new smile. A wax mock-up may be needed to see the outcome of your case.

Preparation

The second appointment may take from one to several hours, depending on the complexity of your case. Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth must be prepared for the added thickness. Approximately one half of a millimeter of tooth is removed. This usually requires some local anesthesia.

Then a mold is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication. In most cases, temporary veneers will be made for you at this time. The permanent veneer should be ready in approximately three weeks.

Bonding of Veneers

At the time of your third appointment, the doctor will try the veneers on your teeth with water or glycerin to check the fit and color. At this point, the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the bonding material used to adhere it. Once the color is determined and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleaned with specific agents to achieve a bond. A special composite cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a visible light beam is used to harden the composite cement. This appointment may take one to several hours depending upon the number of veneers being placed and the complexity of each individual case.

Care & Follow-Up

Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks.

Maintenance Of Your New Veneers

Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by doing so. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best aesthetic success of your veneer.

You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer. This is due to the amount of enamel left on the tooth after preparation. Sensitivity is totally normal and should continue to dissipate in a few weeks. If sensitivity persists, and seems not to be getting better, please call our office at (813) 888-9004.

If you are a known clencher (bruxer), please be sure to let us know. The doctor may recommend a mouth guard for you to wear to minimize stresses placed on your teeth.

We hope that your new veneers fulfill your aesthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.