Dental Porcelain

in Shawnee, Kansas

Porcelain is an ancient invention introduced to the West from China. It is made of ceramic materials and heated at temperatures exceeding 2,000° F. The final product is a white, translucent, hard material that is perfect for cosmetic dentistry. Because it has many of the same qualities as natural tooth enamel, porcelain is the material of choice for creating a winning smile.

By using a number of porcelain products, Dr. Alberto Castaneda creates brighter smiles, usually in one day, whether you are looking for one smile correction, or a complete smile makeover.

Applications

During a procedure using porcelain, Dr. Castaneda makes an impression of the base tooth to which the product will be applied. The specifications are then sent to the in-office CEREC fabrication system, where the appliance is created and fired to give it its glassy composition. The translucent qualities of porcelain give the replacement tooth or veneer a lustrous aspect as it reflects light.

Dental porcelain is used for a variety of procedures including:

• Dental implants
• Porcelain veneers
• Crowns
• Bridges

Color matching

During the evaluation and impression process, the color of the new application is carefully matched to the surrounding teeth to ensure a unified smile. The porcelain itself is matched first, with Dr Castaneda getting the closest shade possible to the surrounding teeth.

When fired, the porcelain becomes translucent; meaning the color of the paste, or bond material will show through the thin veneers and will affect the color. The paste color is also adapted to make an even closer match to the surrounding teeth. Trial paste is used to ensure the best color selection is made. It is important to verify the color prior to bonding since the veneer cannot be removed once it is cemented into place.

If the veneer is meant to change the color of a tooth to brighten a smile, the dental technician adjusts the opacity of the porcelain, taking into account the underlying tooth color and the color of the cement to improve the over all color of the tooth.

Care

After getting a porcelain application installed, normal dental hygiene should be resumed. Since the veneer, crown, or implant is basically glass, biting hard objects like ice and seed casings should be avoided to prevent chipping or breaking.

Creating a brighter smile is more than just filling cavities and cleaning teeth, it is almost an art form. It is important to select a cosmetic dentist with proven experience working with dental porcelain.

When considering smile enhancements in the Shawnee area, contact Dr. Castaneda today to schedule an initial appointment.

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