Dr. Ami Barakat

Cosmetic, General and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Archive for March, 2011

Why is Porcelain Used for Porcelain Veneers?

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Why is porcelain the material of choice for crafting veneers?  Porcelain is luminescent and durable, offering the qualities of strength and beauty so desired in today’s smile makeover.

Porcelain veneer durability is similar to the enamel of your natural teeth.  While porcelain will wear down over time, when adhered properly to the front surface of teeth, you can eat and drink with confidence, knowing porcelain veneers last 10or 15 years or more with good oral care.

In addition to excellent esthetic results, porcelain veneers serve a functional purpose. Veneers protect the surface of a tooth damaged by decay. In some instances, porcelain veneers are a good replacement for dental crowns, and offer less elimination of tooth enamel than is necessary when preparing the tooth for a crown.

Dental veneers can be made from either porcelain or resin composite materials. Resin is not as stain resistant as porcelain and does not mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth as well as porcelain. On the other hand, resin veneers are thinner, requiring less removal of tooth surface prior to placement.

Over the past few decades, dental technology has advanced greatly, to achieve truly natural-looking restorations. Today, there is no reason why every person can’t have the most beautiful, most functional smile.

Dr. Ami Barakat, an Ottawa cosmetic dentist with advanced training from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), offers the education, passion, experience and aesthetic excellence necessary for achieving amazing smile reconstruction.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers, please contact Dentistry @ Main today to schedule your initial consultation. Dentistry @ Main serves patients in Ottawa, Kanata and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Maintaining Porcelain Veneers

Thursday, March 24th, 2011

Maintaining porcelain veneers isn’t difficult with careful dental hygiene.  However, porcelain veneers are not indestructible. Veneers cover only the visible surfaces of your front teeth.  The back and sides of your teeth are still exposed to cavity-causing plaque.

When you meet with Dr. Ami Barakat to discuss your smile makeover options, he will go over all the things you need to know to keep your porcelain veneers looking great for 10, 15, or more years.

The Dentist Knows Best

Since your first dental visit, your dentist has advised flossing and brushing every day.  These instructions don’t change because you now have porcelain veneers.  If you want your beautiful new smile to last, take good care of your oral health.

Brushing and flossing are only the first steps. A healthy diet is crucial to healthy teeth and gums as well.

Although porcelain veneers are very durable, they can be susceptible to chipping and breaking.  Don’t chew on hard objects, like ice cubes, pencil tips or paper clips, or use your teeth the pop the tops of soda bottles. When eating hard foods like apples, avoid undue stress on your veneers by cutting the food into small slices.

Veneers should last ten to fifteen years with excellent oral care and regular visits with Dr. Barakat, who offers the most advanced techniques and technologies to ensure your natural teeth and veneers stay white and beautiful.

To schedule a consultation, please contact Dr. Ami Barakat at Dentistry @ Main, serving the communities of Ottawa, Kanata, and Stittsville, Ontario.

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Smile Makeovers and Porcelain Veneers

Monday, March 21st, 2011

How would you like a more attractive, whiter smile in just a few days?  Many patients of Ottawa cosmetic dentist Dr. Ami Barakat have said yes to this opportunity for a smile makeover that can literally change your life.

A smile makeover uses a combination of cosmetic dentistry procedures, which may include:

After a thorough examination and consultation, Dr. Barakat will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment.  The current health of your teeth and your desired results play a part in the final treatment decision.

The goal of a smile makeover is to correct flaws primarily in the front teeth, since they are the most visible. Dr Barakat will evaluate:

  • Tooth size, shape and color
  • Gum line
  • Missing teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Misaligned teeth

Because your teeth and smile are so central to your appearance, you may feel and look like a different person after your smile makeover. Some patients have discovered better relationships with others and enhanced job opportunities, all because of a smile makeover.

Dentistry @ Main is proud to support the efforts of Dr. Barakat in using only the finest quality materials, cutting edge techniques, and advanced technology to ensure the best results.

Please contact Dentistry @ Main today, serving Ottawa, Stittsville, and Kanata, Ontario, to learn more about your smile makeover options.

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