Porcelain Veneers in Raleigh
Dental cleanings work wonders for keeping your teeth healthy and beautiful. But sometimes, there are aspects of your teeth that cannot be changed as easily. If you’re looking for a dental solution to get the best smile possible, you may want to ask about porcelain veneers at your next dental appointment.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are slender pieces of porcelain that lay directly on top of your existing teeth. These pieces are bonded over the existing tooth and serve as an alternative to traditional crowns.
Patients who are looking to fix aesthetic dental concerns regarding the shade, spacing, and even size of their teeth are ideal candidates for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can correct any cosmetic issue ranging from tooth spacing, mild crowding, discoloration, and broken or chipped teeth.
Anna Abernethy, DDS
Dr. Abernethy, originally from Concord, North Carolina, moved to Raleigh for college and graduated from Meredith College in 2001 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemical physics. Her journey towards dentistry began unexpectedly when she experienced a dental emergency during her college years, leading her to explore the field through externship programs. Witnessing a patient's life-changing smile makeover after a car accident inspired her to become a dentist. She pursued her dental education at UNC-Chapel Hill Dental School, actively participating in various community service initiatives and events. After graduation, she gained valuable experience as an associate in a dental practice.
Jill Sonner, DDS
Dr. Sonner, a Raleigh native, completed her undergraduate studies at NCSU in Biological Sciences in 1999. She pursued dental education at UNC Dental School and trained at Fayetteville VA Medical Center, gaining skills in treating medically compromised and geriatric patients, and in advanced surgical techniques, including implant placement. She achieved Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association, mentored by Dr. Arun Garg. Dr. Sonner, alongside Drs. Abernethy and Wells, took part in a mission to the Dominican Republic, contributing to dental implant surgeries, enhancing chewing function for locals who wouldn't otherwise have the chance. Their efforts significantly improved the quality of life for many recipients.
Anita Wells, DDS
Dr. Anita Wells, developed her passion for dentistry in her hometown of Pinehurst, inspired by her childhood dentist's compassionate and personalized care. From a young age, she was fascinated by his ability to transform lives through beautiful smiles. Observing his artistic skills and the positive impact he made on patients, she decided to pursue dentistry. Dr. Wells graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry, and later earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery with the highest honors. After practicing in Chapel Hill, she co-founded Renaissance Dental Center in 2009, aiming to provide personalized dental care based on her dedication to changing people's lives.
Consultation
To ensure that veneers are right for you, you’ll want to start by making a consultation appointment with our one of our dentists. Discussing your treatment goals in this meeting will help determine if aesthetic veneers are an appropriate solution. Our dentist will also review veneer types and color shades available based on your budget and desired outcome.
Preparation
In the preparation visit, our dentist will start by making some room for the veneers to be placed over your existing teeth. In doing this, your provider will remove a layer of the tooth enamel. This procedure is typically painless, but our dentist may give you the option for anesthesia if you are feeling uncomfortable.
Next, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to use in helping to create the new shape you are looking for with the veneers. Our dentist will also choose the most appropriate shade of porcelain to match the current color of your teeth or your selected color if you are looking to correct discoloration. Your veneers will next be made at the lab before they are ready for bonding.
Placement
The last appointment is the most exciting day! Your veneers will be ready for placement, and you will get to walk out with a new, stunning smile. First, our dentist will make sure the veneers match the color and shape desired. They may need to trim or change the color slightly before the bonding begins if they appear to need slight modification.
After the veneers pass the test, the dentist will need to prepare your teeth by conducting a general cleaning, polishing, and then etching of the teeth. Etching means to roughen up the surface by using an abrasive dental liquid for the veneers to adhere to the teeth.
Once the prep work is completed, a bonding cement will be placed before setting the veneers over the teeth. If the cement needs assistance in drying, a light will be used to quicken the curing (drying) process. When the cement has cured, you are free to leave with your new smile. Make sure to speak with our dentist about any follow-up appointments that are needed to ensure the veneers are comfortable after placement.