Did you know it's rumored that England's Queen Elizabeth the first used to fill the gaps with little rolls of cotton where her teeth were missing. Years ago, people with cracked, chipped, missing or even discolored teeth had few choices.

Times have changed, and with modern technology and new cosmetic dentistry techniques people's smiles are transformed by today's dentistry. It used to be a concept of "no pain no gain" in dentistry, while today there's a new saying -- "the smile you've always wanted without the pain you've never wanted."

Porcelain laminates, or veneers, were first created by a dentist at the Den-Mat Corporation. Also known as the brand Lumineers, these veneers are very thin, in fact, very thin like a contact lens.

There are many different techniques and procedures behind cosmetic dentistry for replacing, repairing or reshaping our teeth, such as oral implants, crowns, Invisalign braces, and bridges. Whether you can benefit from veneers depends on several things including how healthy your teeth are in the first place. Teeth are made from enamel which is the hardest substance in your body. It is important to be careful not to chip the enamel by doing something like opening a bottle cap with your front teeth.

Let's say you have fallen down and cracked a tooth during a sports activity. Your dentist may want to consider using veneers to fix your tooth. Here's how the procedure works. With an extensive range of shapes and colors available, you and your dentist can select the shape and color to match and enhance your existing teeth for a natural looking smile. The veneers will be permanently bonded to your existing front tooth, in place, so it requires minimal preparation. The veneer will instantly attach to the front of the existing tooth, covering the crack, and can even improve the color and shape.

This dental procedure does not require grinding down the sensitive tooth structure which is common when patients get traditional crowns. Plus it's not necessary to have anesthetic shots because it does not hurt. Clinically proven to last for 20 years or more, Lumineers can close spaces between teeth, fix chipped teeth, provide better color to stained tooth enamel, lengthen shorter teeth, and re-shape crooked or awkward looking teeth. Veneers can also revitalize crowns and bridges.

The results for this procedure are exceptional for makeovers on worn, misshapen teeth, which are transformed so people can smile with confidence. Many of our patients thank us for helping to change their entire lives.

Most Los Angeles dentist clinics charge about $1,000 per veneer, and many dentists provide affordable financing plans for patients who don't have dental insurance.

In summary, a great smile is worth more than you can measure today, so why wait. Call your dental clinic today.