One of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is porcelain veneers. This procedure utilizes custom made thin porcelain shells to disguise flaws in your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers can be very natural looking, but if they are made cheaply with no regard to your natural smile, they may end up looking fake.

This is a question I get asked almost anytime I bring up veneers as a potential treatment option for my patients. As “cosmetic dentistry” has become more and more popular, more patients turn to veneers for a variety of reasons, including to correct spacing, discoloration, or to improve their overall smile. Unfortunately, all too often, those veneers don’t blend well with the patient’s other teeth, or they are made to be too white, too opaque, or unnaturally sized so that they stand out like a sore thumb. What I tell my patients who ask me this question is that the best veneers we can do are the ones no one knows are there.

Do Veneers Look Fake?

While veneers can look fake, they certainly don’t have to! When someone has a naturally beautiful smile, you may not realize it, but there are tiny imperfections in the teeth. Things like grooves, minor rotations and the slightest transparency at the edge all give a natural appearance.

The reason that certain smiles look fake is that they don’t have any of these imperfections. They’re uniformly opaque, too straight and overly white, which all results in a smile that’s obviously had extensive dental work.

If they’re done correctly, porcelain veneers will look just like your own teeth, but significantly improved. Here are just some of the issues that veneers are perfect for:

  • Chips
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Stains that don’t respond to whitening
  • Minor crowding

How to Avoid Fake-Looking Veneers

The key to achieving a natural looking smile using veneers is to visit a highly experienced cosmetic dentist who performs a lot of porcelain veneer procedures and uses a respected lab for veneer fabrication. Dr. Jivraj has placed enough veneers that he knows what shades will look most natural and what shapes will work best with your unique smile.

Things to think about when selecting porcelain veneers for the most natural looking finish include:

  • Shade: Often, patients want the whitest shade possible for their veneers. However, most people do not have completely white teeth, and going with a blinding white shade may look unnatural.
  • Material: Dr. jivraj only uses dental quality porcelain for his veneers. Porcelain is able to be fabricated in layers to replicate the look of natural enamel, and has the translucent quality inherent to natural teeth.
  • Shape: Teeth that are too uniform may look unnatural. Dr. Jivraj can carefully craft veneers that look beautifully even without being too rigidly uniform. The “chiclet” look can be easily avoided by carefully making sure each tooth is the correct shape and length to look natural.

In addition to the above, you should also think about how your veneers will look next to your natural teeth. In some cases, you may want to have teeth whitening done in order to match the shade you choose for your veneers.

How Can You Get A Natural-Looking Result?

If you’d like to get porcelain veneers in Oxnard near Camarillo, your first step is to have a consultation with Dr. Jivraj. Ask your Oxnard cosmetic dentist about any training they’ve received and don’t hesitate to ask if they can show you before-and-after photos of actual patients they’ve worked on.

The other crucial factor is the lab your dentist uses to create veneers. If they have a good relationship with a high-quality lab, your end result will look much better. Among other things, your dentist will be able to stipulate that the veneers have just enough imperfection to look completely natural.

Finally, make sure that they’re taking the time to understand your cosmetic goals and that you feel confident that you’re on the same page before beginning the process.

Veneers are a wonderful cosmetic option that can give you a beautiful smile and the confidence that goes with it. It’s worth it to make sure you’re in the right hands!

Schedule Your Own Private Consultation with Dr. J

Anacapa Dental Art Institute is proud of their dedicated service to Ventura County. Lead by world-renowned top cosmetic prosthodontist Dr. Jivraj and his expert staff, Anacapa has the expertise and facility to handle whatever your cosmetic dental situation may be. Whether it’s a tooth whitening or a full mouth reconstruction, expect nothing but some of the best dental care Ventura County has available.

Call today for a private consultation. Renew your smile, renew your life.

ABOUT YOUR OXNARD, CA, COSMETIC DENTIST:

We look forward to providing families with exceptional care and advanced treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jivraj contact our Oxnard, CA, dental office today by calling 805-800-8289. Our office at 2821 N Ventura Road, Building H, Oxnard, 93036 welcomes patients in and around Oxnard, CA, including Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, Ventura, and the surrounding Southern California communities.

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