Dental Veneers Could Change Your Life, Says Dr. Igal Elyassi

“Everyone in the Greater Los Angeles area knows that the gleaming smiles of celebrities set a high standard for everyone else here,” says Dr. Igal Elyassi, the founder and head dentist of Wilshire Smile Studio, which is just a couple of blocks west of the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures at Fairfax and Wilshire in Hollywood. “Some of the stars and up-and-comers in film and TV have come to us over the years to upgrade their smiles from merely lovely to perfect with dental veneers, since we have had a reputation for expertise in cosmetic dentistry for two decades. But the good news is that anyone can afford veneers, the most cost-effective first step in a full cosmetic smile makeover.”

Veneers are thin wafers of material that look like the front of teeth and can be used to cover discoloration which cannot be improved by whitening, especially with over-the-counter products. Sometimes this is a side effect of medication, more often it is due to frequent drinking of coffee, tea, red wine, or dark sodas, and sometimes strongly-colored foods or even mouthwashes. Even brushing right afterwards may not be able to reduce the discoloration. Smoking is also a major culprit in the darkening of teeth.

Gaps between teeth, chipping and cracks, teeth that have been worn down, and those that are too small or misshapen can also be fixed, so that you can be proud to flash a smile to everyone you meet. And studies show that most people make a judgment about our friendliness when they react to our smile.

What exactly are veneers made of? At Wilshire Smile Studio we don’t use the inferior composite resin type some dental offices do, but biocompatible dental porcelain that looks exactly like a natural tooth. We use a top dental laboratory to custom-craft one or more in a shade matching the neighboring teeth (or you can upgrade with more veneers and whitening to the ideal shade you’d like for those teeth that show when you fully smile).

The process starts with a full examination, including a low-radiation digital x-ray to be sure the health of your mouth, teeth, and underlying jaw bone qualify you for veneers. 

If so, we would create a mold for a temporary set of veneers, so you can test out the feel. If these are comfortable, you would return once the dental lab prepares the permanent set. We would then shave down the front of your teeth which are to have them applied, both to help the veneers adhere to the teeth and to be sure they don’t stick out unnaturally once placed. After they are put on the front of the chosen teeth with a bonding agent, a special light is shone on them to harden the attachment. If properly cared for, veneers can last 10 years or more. 

Call today to discuss your options for the first step in a smile makeover. We have financing available.

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