Porcelain Veneers

McCarl dental patient with a beautiful smile after teeth whitening, thin porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and gum re-contouring.

Dental patient before teeth whitening, thin veneers, porcelain crowns and gum re-contouring.

Every dental patient is unique and dentistry should be customized specific to each patient’s situation and needs. When a patient consults with a dentist at McCarl Dental Group about concerns and goals for their smile, we listen. Our dental practice features  general dentists with advanced dental skills offering a wide range of dental treatment options. We offer a full range of advanced dentistry  in our Greenbelt and Millersville dental offices.

Combining dental procedures allows us to address our dental patients’ unique needs and provide solutions that will create the most attractive smile AND the most cost effective option. A combination case is the best choice when “just whitening teeth” or covering teeth with “all veneers” or “all crowns” would be inappropriate, unnecessary, or might not be the best way to achieve the dental patient’s goals. Patients who want to straighten and whiten crooked teeth benefit with Invisalign orthodontics combined with teeth whitening or porcelain veneers and crowns. The dentists at McCarl Dental group provide a wide range of dental treatment options to best meet their patients needs.

In a recent case, a patient came to us with 10 year old porcelain fused to metal crowns on her two front teeth after root canal therapy following trauma. The crowns were well made but were not attractive. No matter how well made, dental crowns made completely with porcelain (called all-porcelain crowns) look more natural, lifelike and esthetic than crowns made from porcelain fused to metal.

When the patient and dentist discussed the advantages of replacing the porcelain fused to metal crowns with “all-porcelain crowns”, the patient also wanted to address a slight uneven gum height and small, uneven teeth (lateral incisors) adjacent to the front two teeth.  In this case, full crowns would be unnecessary on the lateral teeth so we elected to place minimal preparation veneers (also called thin veneers). Thin veneers eliminated the need for reduction of healthy teeth, allowed us to improve the size relative to the front two teeth. All four teeth were restored with identical matching porcelain in an attractive white shade chosen by the patient. The gum line was re-contoured and the remaining natural teeth were whitened with beautiful results.

The” general dentists” at McCarl Dental Group are skilled in advanced “combination dental cases.”  We offer our patients the best dental materials and procedures to create beautiful smiles. We can often combine dental treatments and dental materials so that the most attractive smile  is also the most cost effective .

Your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you. You deserve a porcelain crown, veneer or even composite bond that matches your other teeth.  A confident, sincere and beautiful smile helps you make a great first impression.

When you smile, no one else but your dentist should know that you have had dental work. A broken front tooth is a dental emergency – and even emergency dental treatment needs to give beautiful results. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland treat cosmetic dental problems as true dental emergencies. When a dental emergency is causing pain, discomfort or embarrassment – we ask, “How soon can you meet us at one of our dental offices?” For three generations, we have treated our patients like family.

Catherine Brandt, a dental patient who visits both our Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland dental offices broke her front tooth. Here is what Catherine said about her experience at McCarl Dental Group. “I never realized how much I valued the ability to smile with confidence until I broke my front tooth.  I wasn’t in any pain, but Dr. Clayton McCarl still treated it as an emergency and fixed me right up with a temporary crown.  Soon after, Dr. Clayton took a mold and fitted me with a permanent crown that perfectly matched my other front tooth in color.  I visited other dentists when I lived outside of Maryland, and each commented on the quality work that Dr. Clayton did on my crown.  The same outstanding level of care and talent is applied to all of my dental needs from the doctors, hygienists, and staff at McCarl Dental.”

A very popular procedure in today’s world of cosmetic dentistry is the no-prep veneer. With improved dental technology, dentists can create porcelain veneers that are less than half a millimeter thick. These “thin veneers” can allow smile makeovers with little or no drilling. No-prep veneers are ideal for permanent whitening, minor orthodontic issues and transforming small teeth or teeth with spaces into beautiful and dazzling smiles. The McCarl dental patient in the pictures above transformed his smile in just two visits to our dental office with no preparation thin dental veneers. The thin veneers covered chipped teeth, gave crooked teeth a straight appearance and permanently whitened his smile.

Many people want the cosmetic improvements porcelain veneers provide for a smile but are hesitant about the preparation of the face of the tooth that is required for traditional dental veneers. With the new minimal and no preparation veneers, cosmetic dentistry has become more comfortable, affordable and convenient. Dental veneers can transform a smile in just two visits to the dentist. Thin veneers are often an ideal solution.

Click this link to watch a video testimonial by a McCarl dental patient who improved his smile with minimal preparation thin veneers. He was concerned about yellowed, chipped teeth with spaces and was thrilled to have a beautiful white smile in just two visits.

Traditional veneers are thicker porcelain and require some reduction on the face of your teeth. These veneers are still the treatment of choice when teeth are too crowded or when protruding teeth need to be brought back into the smile line. Many times a patient’s unique situation is best served by a combination of thin and traditional veneers. Tooth structure may need to be modified only on selected teeth in your smile to get optimal results.

A smile makeover consultation with a dentist who is experienced in cosmetic dental treatment is the first step for improving your smile. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group combine experience in cosmetic dentistry, advances in dental technology and genuine care for our dental patients. We listen carefully to your concerns and goals. There is usually more than one solution to dental problems. McCarl dentists offer a variety of dental procedures and explain how they can improve your smile. A smile makeover can include teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain traditional veneers, thin veneers or porcelain crowns. The combination of treatments gives a great outcome and lowers the total price.

It is important for dentists to use a top quality dental lab for fabrication of porcelain veneers. The highest quality traditional and thin porcelain veneers have the shading and characteristics of natural teeth. With the recent improvements in dental technology, more people are choosing to enhance their smiles with restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Ask a dentist experienced with all types of cosmetic dentistry what would be best for you.

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have a passion for providing top quality care to their dental patients. They understand that a smile can change a person’s attitude, health, and ultimately life. In addition to preventative care, many dental patients would like to correct problems they have had since childhood, such as discolored or misaligned teeth, while others would like to minimize the effects of aging that develop over time. McCarl dentists are adept at managing complex dental cases that require a combination of treatments, as well as cosmetic dental treatments that produce excellent results in one to three visits. Whether your profession requires being in front of a television camera, speaking with students or conducting business meetings, a beautiful smile conveys warmth, confidence and success.

The McCarl Dental Group is comprised of Dr. Clayton McCarl, Jr., Dr. Jay McCarl, and Dr. David McCarl—all of whom completed their Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland Dental School, and continue postdoctoral training with prestigious instructors and advanced programs throughout the country. The McCarl dentists are active in their communities, volunteer regularly, and are proud to honor their grandfather, Dr. James W. McCarl, who started his practice in 1924 and was the first dentist in Greenbelt, Maryland. Today, the McCarl Dental Group offers expertise in traditional porcelain veneers and no prep veneers, porcelain crowns and bridges, Invisalign orthodontics, custom teeth whitening, minimally invasive and traditional dental implants, composite white fillings, dental hygiene and periodontal treatment.

More than seventy percent of new patients to McCarl Dental Group are referred by existing patients who are delighted with their dental care. Five current patients have shared their success stories through their own words and smiles on the following page. These patients are a testament to the brilliant work and service that McCarl dentists provide.

Patient Testimonials

“A smile is very important in the business world because it’s one of the first things a potential client, customer or coworker sees. I speak with a lot of crime victims in my line of work, and a warm smile often helps express concern and compassion when words seem to fall short. Thanks to the McCarl Dental Group my smile is the last thing I need to worry about. I can focus on the person in front me and help them find justice. The McCarl Dental Group is very professional and up-to-date on the latest technology, and best of all I didn’t have to travel the country looking for the best dentist. He was right in my backyard!”— Karen Daboroski, producer of America’s Most Wanted

“I always hated to see my teeth when I smiled for pictures because they were so yellow. Even after trying different whiteners, I could not get them any whiter. Dr. McCarl recommended a veneer to repair a front tooth that was dark and said that my smile could be further enhanced by placing veneers on the other front teeth that showed when I smiled. I had porcelain veneers placed on six teeth and couldn’t be happier with my white smile now!”— Cecily Duda, elementary school teacher

“The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have removed the anxiety one typically experiences when going to the dentist. It is an established practice that truly gives you the feel of an ‘old-time’ family practice, but with current, state-of-the-art technology and dental practices. Over the years, my visits to McCarl Dental Group have become more than the routine patient-dental service provider relationship—they treat me like family. Thank you to all of the members of the McCarl Dental practice for helping me attain the smile that I always desired and making my dental care a friendly, comfortable visit.”— Dan Dering, business executive

“Before my experience with the McCarl Dental Group, I did not like showing my teeth when I smiled. I am so glad I chose to enhance my smile through Invisalign, and I am pleased to have chosen the McCarl Dental Group for my dental needs. I now love showing my teeth when I smile, and especially love being photographed.”— Jackie Oddoye, recruiter

“My smile became increasingly important to me as I started to speak publically, and appear on national television shows. It was not just a matter a vanity—it became a necessity for career advancement. After doing the Dr. Phil Show over a dozen times, I had some of my own material pitched to different networks, and was told my work was great, but my teeth and smile were not up to standards. After consulting with three dentists, I choose the McCarl Dental Group to do my complete mouth restoration. Dr. McCarl’s knowledge and confidence about the process of dental restoration was evident. It was a fair and realistic price for my veneers and crowns, and I could not be happier with my smile. My favorite compliment is, ‘They look like your teeth,’ and that’s exactly what I wanted.”— Joani Gammill, RN and Board Certified Alcohol and Drug Interventionist

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group in Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland were recently voted Best Dentists in the Capital Hometown Annapolis Reader’s Choice Awards.  The Reader’s Choice Awards reflect votes by our dental patients who read the Capital magazine. McCarl dentists have also been named What’s Up? Annapolis Magazine’s Top Dentist. This award represents dentists who were chosen as the best by other dental specialists.  The dentists at McCarl Dental Group specialize in complex comprehensive dental care as well as everyday general dentistry. Our patients’ responses in our smile survey, found at www.mccarldental.com indicate that they are very satisfied with our family and cosmetic dentistry. A patient who received dental veneers last week called Dr. Clayton McCarl “Michelangelo of the mouth!”

McCarl dentists have been recognized for excellence in dental veneers which are thin, custom-made moldings that cover unattractive teeth. They are created from tooth-colored, high-tech materials to portray a bright, natural smile. No prep, minimal prep and traditional veneers cover unattractive gaps between teeth and cover stained misshapen or crooked teeth. Traditional dental veneers can transform even the darkest teeth to bright white. They are individually sculpted and it is almost impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth.

For traditional porcelain veneers, the face of the tooth is reshaped to allow for the added thickness of porcelain. In comparison to a crown, a minimal amount of the natural tooth must be altered for a veneer. At the Mccarl dental group, a digital image can be taken of the reshaped tooth and sent via high-speed internet to a dental laboratory where the veneer is custom-made for your mouth. If you receive a no prep or minimal prep veneer, no temporary is needed to cover the tooth while the veneer is being made. The veneer is permanently attached to the face of your tooth with adhesive material or cement which bonds it to the original tooth structure. With good care, veneers can last for ten to fifteen years or longer. Unlike most bonding materials, veneers are resistant to stains from coffee, tea and cigarettes. They will not change color over time. Because a small amount of tooth is reduced to fit traditional veneers, the process is not reversible. No prep veneers are placed on the original tooth structure and can be removed.

Patients with veneers still need to brush and floss regularly to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Veneers typically cannot be damaged by abrasion from your toothbrush or floss. As with natural teeth, patients with dental veneers are advised to avoid chewing fingernails or anything else that may cause the veneers to chip or crack. Remember: never use your teeth as tools!

Veneers used to be reserved for Hollywood movie stars and the rich and famous. Now you would be surprised how many of your neighbors achieved their beautiful smiles with veneers. Call McCarl Dental Group at 410-987-0870 or 301-474-4144 to find out if veneers are right for you.

No Prep Veneers can be a conservative, esthetic, and affordable veneer solution for chipped teeth, spaces between teeth and dark or stained teeth. McCarl dental patients have been delighted with their smile makeovers that have been accomplished in two quick dental visits. We can brighten smiles, change shapes of teeth, eliminate spaces between teeth and create natural beautiful smiles without Novocain or drilling!

Minimal and No Prep Veneers aren’t the best solution for every patient who would like to enhance their smile. A dentist with experience in all types of veneers will create an individual dental treatment plan for each dental patient to create the best possible results. McCarl dentists in Greenbelt Maryland and Millersville Maryland have been enhancing smiles with veneers for more than 20 years and continuously study the technologies, products and procedures available for our dental patients. Because we stay current with the latest dental techniques and technologies in dental implants, Invisalign orthodontics, porcelain veneers and crowns and teeth whitening, we can offer our dental patients a wide range of options for comprehensive custom smile makeovers.

Please watch our videos to hear McCarl dental patients tell about their great experiences with no prep veneers and smile makeovers.

Explanation of No Prep Veneers before Dental Procedure

McCarl Dental Patient After No Prep Veneers>

Minimal prep veneers and no prep veneers give dental patients a beautiful smile makeover without the discomfort of Novocain or drilling.

Rick Jones sells high quality new and restored pianos and wanted a winning smile to complement his successful business. Dr. McCarl took impressions of Rick’s teeth and the lab fabricated thin veneers similar in thickness to a contact lens. The ultra thin porcelain veneers were bonded into place on top of his natural teeth to brighten Rick’s smile, eliminate spaces between his teeth and create an even smile line without chipped and broken edges. His smile makeover with thin veneers was completed in two visits to Greenbelt dentists at McCarl Dental Group.

Rick is extremely happy with his new smile. The technology of thin veneers has improved so that they are much more durable than just a few years ago. Veneers do not retain permanent stains. If Rick ever notices slight discoloration from coffee, tea or red wine he will be able to restore his sparkling smile with a quick application of whitening gel in take-home teeth whitening trays.

Rick Jone’s recommendation of McCarl Dental Group No Prep Veneers .

A frequent source of dental emergencies is broken or chipped teeth from people using them as scissors, pliers or fingernail clippers. You would not believe the things people try to open or cut with their teeth – bottles, plastic bags, tape, string, fishing lines, cloth … you name it! We see chipped teeth and broken teeth that damage the dental enamel of natural teeth, but also in porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. PLEASE DON’T USE YOUR TEETH AS TOOLS!

Crunching ice causes severe problems. Chewing on large pieces of ice causes stress fractures in even the healthiest teeth. Ice is hard and brittle but also cold which causes contraction in the tooth enamel of natural teeth.  Porcelain crowns also break and chip when chewing ice. Damage from chewing ice occurs in molars and often results in a severe fracture, not just a small chip. Fingernail biting is also a frequent reason for chipped enamel or porcelain in front teeth.

Treating dental emergencies is a routine aspect of comprehensive dental care. McCarl dentists strive to provide same day emergency dental treatment to people experiencing dental pain or a broken tooth causing cosmetic dental concerns. The dentists at McCarl Dental Group serve Anne Arundel County and Prince Georges County.  Our dental offices are conveniently located near Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton, Crownsville, College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Greenbelt and Millersville.

Unlike bones, fractured teeth do not heal themselves. A tooth may or may not cause pain when it is cracked or fractured and many minor tooth fractures do not cause symptoms. Deeper fractures are often painful because the damage extends to the nerve inside the tooth. Pain from fractures may come and go or may be constant. It is always best to treat the dental emergency as soon as possible to try to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Please STOP USING YOUR TEETH AS TOOLS. Visit the dentists at McCarl Dental Group for top quality dental care for damaged and healthy teeth.

On Friday March 5, 2010 Dr. Clayton McCarl and Dr. Jay McCarl took time off from treating dental patients to attend a continuing education course on the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry. Because the dentists at McCarl Dental Group strive to always stay current with the latest dental procedures and technologies, many of the procedures and materials discussed are already in place at our Millersville and Greenbelt Maryland dental offices. What we look for are “the pearls” of knowledge and information that will make a difference to our patients.  Last Friday, we found some pearls to further enhance our cosmetic dentistry techniques and, especially our patients’ healthy and beautiful smiles.  Our emphasis on continuing education and current technology is always appreciated by our patients from  Annapolis, Severna Park, Crofton, Crownsville, Millersville, College Park and Greenbelt.

The lecture emphasized porcelain veneers and crowns, ultra thin veneers that require no drilling, smile makeovers, and other esthetic forms of dental care available today. Dr. David Hornbrook an internationally acclaimed innovator in cosmetic dentistry taught the course. Dr. Hornbrook has founded several world renown cosmetic dental training centers including:  The Hornbrook Group Center for Advanced Continuing Education, The Las Vegas Institute (LVI), and PAClive. The program was sponsored by The Academy of General Dentistry and Becden Dental Lab.

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group are committed to ongoing study in all fields of dentistry. Dr. Hornbrook’s course allowed us additional insight into advancements in new stronger and more esthetic forms of porcelain, diode lasers, easier and more effective ways to improve a patient’s bite, and an honest discussion on which innovations will bring benefit to our patients and which products are more hype than substance.

Porcelain veneers are often an excellent alternative to porcelain crowns. Long lasting and conservative, porcelain veneers have gained immense popularity because of their realistic appearance and their resistance to stains. Veneers are dental porcelain laminates that bond to teeth. They can change the color, shape and size of teeth and are ideal for covering stains, correcting misalignment, closing gaps and restoring worn teeth. Dental veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure but can also improve the health, form and function of the mouth.  Crooked teeth can be difficult to clean and are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease.

Planning and design for all cosmetic dentistry cases requires experience as well as technical and artistic talent to properly design the veneer for the shape and structure of the patient’s face. The type of veneer we recommend depends on each patient’s teeth and goals for their smile. Regardless of the type of dental procedure, patients can expect their smile to look very natural and radiant. Porcelain veneers can create a beautiful, confident smile that looks real and natural, “turning back the clock” for people with small or worn teeth and giving them a more youthful smile.

The dentists at McCarl Dental Group have been enhancing patients’ smiles with veneers for more than 20 years. We “begin” every dental procedure with the “end” in mind. What is the best possible dental procedure to meet each individual patient’s goals and expectations?  How many financial options are available and which best match our patients’ needs and desired outcome? Porcelain veneers are custom and are designed specifically for each patient with that patient’s input regarding their preferences for shape, color and translucency.

Many types of veneers are similar to porcelain crowns in that the tooth surface has to be prepared. Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, veneers cover only the visible portion of the tooth. Although, much of the natural tooth remains in place, a small amount of the enamel covering the tooth must be removed to allow space for the veneer.

Utlra-thin veneers are comparable to a contact lens in thickness and in many cases do not require preparation of the teeth. They are custom-made to adhere directly to the front of teeth making them an option to consider for minor cosmetic adjustments including extending small teeth, fixing a minor chip, or changing color. These brands of veneers require little or no tooth preparation to apply and give you the option to return to your original smile in the future. However, because there is little or no tooth preparation, Lumineers may look and feel bulkier than traditional veneers. A dentist with technical and artistic talent who has experience in selecting the appropriate type of veneer for each patient can design the shapes of the veneers, layering the porcelain, so that all types of veneers look natural.

If you would like learn more about porcelain veneers, please contact McCarl Dental Group. We offer a wide range of brands and types of porcelain veneers to our patients from College Park, Lanham, Seabrook, Bowie, New Carrollton, Laurel, Greenbelt, Severna Park, Annapolis, Crofton, Crownsville and Millersville.  Please visit our smile gallery at www.mccarldental.com to see smile makeovers that feature porcelain dental veneers.