These procedures works best for gaps, mildly crooked teeth, and replacing old dentistry (discoloration, bonding, worn crowns and veneers). Crowns cover the entire tooth while veneers cover the front only.

Keep in mind old crowns can only be replaced by new crowns. Porcelain-only crowns are revolutionizing dentistry, replacing the popular porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns that may leave a dark line, which becomes visible as gums recede.

As well, your practitioner may opt for a crown instead of a veneer to stabilize the bite. Overall, the procedure consists of a series of steps, starting with an initial consultation to analyze the smile and determine treatment.

Too often, the practitioner treats too few teeth because they only see the front when they smile. But when you talk, you can see where the good dentistry stops and the bad begins.

Once the overall plan is established, you'll need local anesthetic while the teeth are reshaped, impressions taken, and you are fitted with temporaries. At the next appointment, also under anesthetic, you will try on the teeth and critique the shape and color.