Posts Tagged ‘smile makeover’

CAD/CAM vs. Porcelain Veneers

CAD/CAM Dentistry

Which material is right for a smile makeover?

How is CAD-CAM used in dentistry?

The Process For CAD/CAM Dentistry

The decision between CAD/CAM and feldspathic porcelain veneers is primarily a decision about what material to use.

Because feldspathic porcelain veneers are built with tiny amounts of powder, they are capable of providing the most beautiful and lifelike results with varied colors throughout a single tooth.

They are also most capable of opaquing out problematic underlying color of the existing teeth such as black or deep brown discoloration.

The downside of feldspathic porcelain is that it requires a very skilled and experienced ceramist, which can dramatically increase the cost of these veneers.

In addition, feldspathic veneers are weaker and more prone to chipping or cracking than other materials. The patients bite and developing proper occlusion and function must be taken into consideration when choosing this material.

When discussing CAD/CAM veneers, the first consideration is the choice of materials.

Although this technique can be used to mill feldspathic material, it is most often used to mill ceramics such as lucite reinforced porcelain or lithium disilicate or similar materials.

The advantage of these materials is their strength, which can be more than five times stronger than feldspathic porcelain. The disadvantage is these veneers are milled out of a single block of material, which then limits the variation in achievable color.

The single color of the block can be modified by surface colorization, which often does not last, or by altering the milled composite and then hand layering porcelain over the surface or at the edge to create better esthetics.

These materials do not have the opacity to block out severely discolored tooth structure. It is also very difficult to achieve the thinness of feldspathic veneers with CAD/CAM, which can make them less accurate and can appear bulkier and less esthetic.

Another advantage of CAD/CAM veneers is cost. Whether a Westchester, NY dentist creates the veneers in-house or uses a laboratory for these restorations, it is important to note that they are far less expensive to produce than using a skilled ceramist to do feldspathic porcelain.

A hybrid version technique using the stronger materials can be done by skilled laboratory technicians who wax the new veneers and then heat and press the materials in special devices.

Finally, these pressed veneers are finished by hand layering porcelain. The result is veneers that can be as accurate and thin as feldspathic veneers with greater strength.

Which material is right for my veneers?

At Advanced Dentistry of Westchester, we choose the material based upon knowledge of the physical properties and the demands of the particular case, which is why substantial training and education is so important. We mostly use feldspathic veneers, but when required will use pressed ceramic veneers. Although our office has CAD/CAM capability, we rarely use that technology for veneers.

Learn more about our high-tech dentistry here.

Why we rarely use CAD/CAM veneers & what we use instead

The original material for “porcelain” veneers has always been feldspathic porcelain. This material is used in a powder state which is hand-built by talented dental ceramists to create beautiful veneers.

Because feldspathic veneers are the only material that are built by hand, they are uniquely capable of the subtle variations in color that make teeth look realistic.

In addition, only feldspatic veneers are capable of blocking out very dark or stained tooth structure and still look realistic.

It takes many years of experience for a ceramist to create the beautiful effects that feldspathic porcelain can provide and this is still the gold standard used for the vast majority of our veneers.

We do use materials such as eMax in cases of patients that have habits such as tooth grinding and nail biting or patients with very difficult bites since they can be over five times stronger than feldspathic porcelain. These newer materials make veneers possible for those patients.

CAD/CAM Dental Restorations | Westchester County, New York

Advanced Dentistry of Westchester offers patients of all ages the latest in dental care available in less than 1% of dental offices. Advanced Dentistry of Westchester is run by Dr. Kenneth Magid, D.D.S., FICD, and Dr. Sabrina Magid-Katz, D.M.D.

The Westchester County dental practice offers a variety of services including family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry and works with patients who suffer from sleep apnea.

Advanced Dentistry of Westchester also offers technology that enables them to care for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. Advanced Dentistry of Westchester is located at 163 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY. For more information call (914) 835-0542 or visit www.adofw.com.

Dr. Kenneth Magid, Dr. Sabrina Magid-Katz, and Dr. Michelle Wesley use the latest dental technology including:

CAD-CAM technology for single visit crowns.
Lasers for treating cavities.
Safer and more predictable computer guided implants.
Computer imaging to preview the most beautiful cosmetic smile makeovers.

The result is a totally different and modern dental experience in the heart of Westchester County.

Call today to schedule an appointment. 914-835-0542.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Kenneth Magid, DDS, FICD, is an associate clinical professor and director of Pre-Doctoral Laser Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry. Dr. Magid lectures throughout the US and Canada and has contributed to many journals and newsletters. He has helped develop and patent many devices in dentistry and is co-founder and past vice president of Kinetic Instruments Inc. Dr. Magid maintains a private practice in general dentistry with an emphasis on high technology and cosmetics in Westchester County, New York.

Date last updated: 2023

Top 4 Things to Look for When Choosing a Westchester Cosmetic Dentist

COSMETIC DENTISTRY | SMILE MAKEOVERS

Photo Credit: WestchesterNYMoms

When many of us think about a makeover we automatically envision a new hair style, a new wardrobe and makeup. But what if there was something else that could transform your look?

What should I look for when choosing a cosmetic dentist?

The first thing I always ask a new patient interested in cosmetic dentistry is, “What are you unhappy about with your smile?”

It is important to know what someone wants to change before presenting new smile options.

If you are thinking about choosing a cosmetic dentist to enhance your smile, be sure to ask the right questions to achieve your dream smile.

Here are the top 4 things to look for when choosing a cosmetic dentist in Westchester County, NY.

Check Credentials: What are the dentists credentials in aesthetics? Thoroughly research their credentials before choosing a cosmetic dentist. As a baseline, they should be published on aesthetics and should frequently lecture on aesthetics. They should also be teaching aesthetics at a university level.
Know Their Process: Have a thorough understanding of the cosmetic dentists process for smile makeovers. For example, does the patient have control of the process, or does the doctor? Does the patient know in advance what they will look like? With our digital cosmetic makeovers, patients can see what their smile will look like and get input from friends and family. This is critical to ensuring your level of success with a smile makeover. You should know in advance you will be happy with the result. Our motto is, no unpleasant surprises.
Ceramist: Be sure to thoroughly research who the ceramist is. For example, are you working with a high-level ceramist or a commercial lab? You won’t get the same results with aesthetic ceramics, and they will look opaque.
Ask to see a Veneer: Veneers should not be monochromatic. Be sure to ask to see what an actual veneer will look like. Just like fine china is translucent at the edge, so are veneers. The color comes from within.

COSMETIC DENTISTRY SMILE MAKEOVERS

How do I choose a cosmetic dentist in Westchester County?

What is a smile makeover and how do I know if it would help me?

A smile makeover uses techniques such as bleaching, bonding, cosmetic contouring, and porcelain veneers to provide a beautiful and natural-looking smile.

A smile makeover can correct unsightly spaces or broken-down teeth, and change the color of teeth darkened with age.

Studies have shown that a beautiful smile can make you look over 15 years younger.

To know if a smile makeover would benefit you, we can take a photograph and alter it to let you see what you would look like with a new smile.

How do I know I will like my smile after a makeover?

With our process, you will know what the final outcome will be before anything is done, and you have input and control over the final result. With just a photo sent to our lab, you can see your new smile and make any changes you would like. Once you decide you love the look of the new you, we create the makeover first on models and then in the temporary veneers you will wear during the process.

You get to “try out” the new look in your own smile and get the opinion of your significant others. Once you love the look of these trial veneers, the porcelain veneers are created, and you leave with the smile you’ve always wanted. The only surprises are happy ones.

Can I eat anything I want with veneers?

Absolutely. Ribs, corn on the cob, apples, anything reasonable can be eaten with veneers. The one restriction is teeth are not tools! No opening bottles, tearing cloth, biting pens, and no nail biting.

How long do porcelain veneers last?

We’ve got smile makeovers done with veneers that have been there for over 30 years, and they still look great. You can generally expect to get many years and often even a lifetime from this service. Porcelain veneers don’t stain or darken with age, and functionally they can restore and strengthen damaged teeth.

The Best Cosmetic Dentist in Westchester County, NY | Advanced Dentistry of Westchester

In a survey by Harris Interactive, 84% of adults perceive having an attractive smile as important, and most adults wouldn’t set their best friend up on a blind date with someone who has bad teeth. Studies have shown that a beautiful smile can make people look 15 years younger. If you’re ready to find out if a smile makeover would benefit you, call Advanced Dentistry of Westchester at (914) 835-0542 to set up an appointment today.

Through advanced technology and computerized cosmetic makeovers, we can completely alter your smile in as little as 2 visits. A beautiful smile is waiting for you at Advanced Dentistry of Westchester.

**Get Started Today: A Beautiful Smile Can Be Yours**

Cosmetic dentistry enhancement in Westchester County

The art of cosmetic dentistry

There is a mathematic formula for the width, length, shape and position of teeth based upon the patient’s face and dental arch. With this altered photo, the patient can see his, or her, new smile and make any changes he would like. Once they are happy with the new look, the ceramist artistically creates the final result in a wax model.

This “wax up” smile is used to guide the dentist in preparing the teeth if necessary and to create the basic shape of the temporary veneers or crowns. It is the artistic talent of the dentist that modifies these temporaries while the patient is wearing them for maximum esthetics.

The patient gets to leave with this “try in” smile and live with it for days to make sure he loves the new look so there are no unhappy surprises. All that is necessary is for the dental ceramist to copy the try-in smile using artistically added shades and stains for a beautiful but natural look that is ready for a Zoom close-up.

Is a Smile Makeover Right For Me?

Let’s face it: Nothing says more about our age and success than a beautiful, natural smile. Yet few of us are born with a smile that makes us happy.

If you’re thinking about cosmetic dentistry, the first step is to know what you want to change about your smile.

The changes can be subtle or dramatic but all can contribute to a new you.

According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 84 percent of adults perceive having an attractive smile important.

This poll of 1,000 American adults between the ages of 18 and 50 years found that more than one-third would not be likely to set up their best friend on a blind date with someone with bad teeth.

An overwhelming majority (85 percent), consider a person’s smile to be very or somewhat important when meeting someone for the first time.

Almost 9 out 10 Americans polled said they thought people with good teeth are more attractive.

Among many factors, this poll explored the importance of smiles in the social arena, as well as dating and marriage.

Cosmetic Dentistry | Advanced Dentistry of Westchester

Ready to put your best smile forward?

Improving your smile is now more accessible than ever with high tech dentistry and cosmetic dentistry in the heart of Westchester County.

Even the subtlest change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself, and the way others perceive you.

Talk to one of our cosmetic dentists in Westchester County, New York ask about teeth whitening, dental bonding, dental crowns and dental veneers.

Get Started Today: A Beautiful Smile Can Be Yours

163 Halstead Avenue • Harrison, NY 914.835.0542