Dental Veneers

In dentistry, a veneer is a thin layer of restorative material placed over a tooth surface, either to improve the aesthetics of a tooth, or to protect a damaged tooth surface. There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer, composite and porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental laboratory, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement such as Panavia. In contrast, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.

The patients below all had a common problem. Their teeth appeared too short. This problem is not uncommon and can result from gingival irritation due to medications, dental appliances such as braces, or altered passive eruption, which simply means the gum does not recede to a normal level once teeth have erupted.

If there are habits such as clenching or grinding (bruxism), excessive wear can produce teeth that appear too short. The problem is one that can often be corrected with dental restorations such as crowns, onlays and veneers. More frequently, however, a surgical procedure is required.

Dr. Shanaman is one of the top dentists in this field, pioneering many modern techinques used around the world. Below are actual cases of cosmetic dentistry performed by Dr. Shanaman, including after and before images, to help you understand the processes involved in restoring your beautiful smile!