Experienced dentist for porcelain veneers to enhance your smile in Wichita, KS

A movie star smile used to be just that – reserved for the rich and famous. Fortunately, there are now effective and affordable options for anyone seeking a more beautiful smile! Porcelain veneers look natural and improve a wide variety of issues that people can have with their teeth. At East Wichita Dentist in Wichita, KS, Dr. David Koepsel combines both experience and artistry to give patients truly remarkable results.

A history of veneers

While veneers may seem like modern technology, they have actually been used for decades to enhance patients’ smiles. They were invented in 1928 for a film shoot by a California dentist so that the appearance of actors’ teeth could temporarily be changed. These veneers were adhered for a short period of time using denture adhesive, and suffice to say, veneer materials and techniques have come a long way since then!

At East Wichita Dentist, we first started placing veneers over 30 years ago. At that time, they were not made of porcelain, but instead from thin pieces of plastic. Porcelain then came to the forefront of veneer technology due to its superiority in appearance, hardness, and durability.

Cosmetic issues that veneers can fix

Veneers are a highly versatile treatment that can be used to correct a number of cosmetic issues with teeth. Patients who have the following imperfections in their teeth may find that veneers are a great solution for hiding these issues:

• Discoloration that is resistant to traditional tooth whitening methods
• Mildly crooked teeth
• Small gaps between the teeth
• Slightly misshapen teeth
• Teeth that seem too small compared to others

Who is a good candidate for veneers?

Dr. David Koepsel starts the veneer process with an individualized consultation. He works with each patient to determine what it is they’d like to change about their smile, what their ideal end results would look like, and to learn about their medical history and treatment preferences. He will also discuss the color you want for your veneers; while many patients want bright white smiles, they can look more unnatural, so we will give you options to determine which shade will best meet your cosmetic goals.

Veneers are a good choice for patients who:

• Have good oral health and practice regular oral hygiene
• Do not grind and clench their teeth (bruxism)
• Have sufficient enamel on their teeth to successfully adhere the veneers

It is important to understand that veneers cannot be used to treat all cosmetic issues with teeth, and in some cases, orthodontics may be a better option.

What to expect when you are getting veneers

After consulting with Dr. Koepsel and determining that veneers are the best option for your smile, you will come into the office to have your teeth prepared for veneer placement by shaving down a small amount of your enamel. This is necessary so that the veneers have a good surface to adhere to and so the veneers don’t stick out too much on your teeth. We will also take impressions of your teeth so that your custom veneers can be fabricated in the laboratory. While we do have the ability to create same-day veneers, we typically have a laboratory fabricate them if multiple veneers will be placed. When they are ready, the veneers will be adhered to your teeth with a strong dental bonding agent. The overall process typically takes about four to five visits, but when patients see their brand-new smiles, it is well worth the wait!

How long veneers last

With good oral hygiene, porcelain veneers can theoretically last a lifetime. However, the reality is that the average veneer lasts approximately 10-15 years. This is because life happens! Oral injuries can occur that break veneers, so we typically recommend a mouth guard for our patients who are athletes. Cavities can also form in the underlying portion of your tooth that is not covered by the veneer, and when decay occurs, it can damage the tooth enough that the veneer can no longer sufficiently adhere to the tooth’s surface. Other issues, such as regularly biting on hard items such as pencils or ice cubes and bruxism (clenching and grinding your teeth) can also affect the longevity of veneers. However, effective night guards to prevent clenching and grinding are available from Dr. Koepsel.

Schedule your consultation today!

To learn more about veneers and how they might be used to enhance your smile, call East Wichita Dentist today at (316) 215-7152 to schedule your personalized consultation with an experienced dentist you can trust.