Model bids a farewell, opting for confidence-restoring dental veneers

Rebecca’s* modeling career was skyrocketing.

But in an industry where image is everything, even a minor flaw can damage your prospects, and Rebecca was growing increasingly self-conscious about one of hers.

“A model has to project self-confidence, and while I felt good about myself, I needed my smile to complement my strong self-image,” Rebecca explains. “To make that happen, I needed expert help.”

In particular, Rebecca needed help with her two upper front teeth. One was chipped, a badge of honor she earned at age 12 during a rambunctious scuffle with her sister. The other had become discolored following a root canal.

For years, Rebecca improved her appearance through bonding, a fast and inexpensive method for hiding dental flaws. Although materials and techniques have improved over time, bonding is still a temporary measure and must be repeated periodically.

After moving to Bradenton, Rebecca looked for a dentist who could keep her smile attractive. When she chose J. Terry Alford, DMD, she expected him to continue bonding her teeth. But Dr. Alford offered Rebecca a better solution: porcelain veneers.

 Restyling Her Smile

“Porcelain veneers are thin, semi-translucent shells that are permanently affixed to the teeth,” educates Dr. Alford, who practices general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. “They offer a long-lasting, cosmetically appealing solution for a variety of dental conditions, including spaces between the teeth; broken or chipped teeth; unsightly, stained or washed-out fillings; permanently stained or discolored teeth; and misshapen or crooked teeth.

“Veneers can last more than 20 years without any problems and are as permanent as natural teeth can be, depending on how professionally they’re done and how well maintained they are by the patient.”

After Rebecca agreed to the plan, Dr. Alford began by reducing the thickness of her natural teeth to make room for the veneers. He then took an exact impression of her teeth so the veneers could be customized to precisely fit her prepared teeth.

During the next treatment phase, Dr. Alford used a mild solution to abrade the prepared surfaces. He then placed the veneers, securing them to Rebecca’s teeth with a tooth-colored fixative.

 “When we were finished, my smile was everything I’d hoped for,” Rebecca marvels. “I had a lot more confidence because when you look great, you feel great!”

Rebecca says the real proof of Dr. Alford’s artistry came two years later, when she was hired specifically for her smile.

“The ad I was hired to do was for a manufacturer of porcelain veneers,” Rebecca relates. “They didn’t know when they hired me that I had veneers on my teeth. When they found out, they were thrilled that their advertising was going to prove the truth of their claims: Porcelain veneers can provide a dazzling, natural smile. What better ad for veneers — and for Dr. Alford — can you have?” ■

© FHCN staff article

* Patient’s name changed at her request