Versatility of Porcelain Veneers

Veneers can be used to improve any of the following characteristics of your teeth:

• Color — Teeth can become stained by certain foods and drinks, from consumption of tobacco, and even from aging. Veneers are available in numerous shades, from the most natural to the brightest white.
• Size & Shape — Teeth may have become worn down from grinding habits, or may not have the shape or size you want. For example, some people consider rounder teeth more feminine and squarer teeth more masculine. Veneers can be shaped and sized in whichever way is most flattering to your face and unique taste.
• Alignment & Spacing — Veneers can be used to close small gaps between teeth or make slight corrections in alignment while improving tooth color and shape.

Limitations of Porcelain Veneers

There are some situations in which veneers are not an appropriate solution. For example, if you have significantly misaligned teeth or a large gap, orthodontics is more likely a more appropriate solution than veneers. Also, if you lost a lot of tooth structure from decay or trauma (or a particularly severe grinding habit), a better solution would be to restore your teeth with porcelain crowns that cover the entire tooth.

Creating a New Smile with Porcelain Veneers

The first step in creating a new smile with porcelain veneers is to communicate with clarity and detail exactly what you don’t like about your smile as it is now. Bring in photos of smiles you find attractive to start the conversation. There are ways to preview and fine-tune your veneers before they are manufactured and applied. A model of your teeth can be created over which wax “veneers” can be placed and sometimes acrylic (plastic) or tooth-colored filling material can be placed directly onto your teeth to demonstrate the look of veneers on them.

Once you and your dentist agree on your veneer treatment plan, your teeth will be prepared by removing a small amount of enamel, if this step is necessary. Then, impressions of your teeth will be taken and sent to a skilled dental laboratory to create your veneers. You will receive a temporary set of veneers to wear during the few weeks it will take to create your permanent veneers. Once the veneers arrive from the lab, they will be cemented onto your teeth.

Caring for Your Veneers

Just like your natural teeth, teeth covered with veneers need gentle brushing and flossing every day. This will ensure that dental plaque is removed and good gum tissue health is maintained around the veneers. It is also important to continue with regular checkups at the dental office in order to maintain good oral health. Also, keep in mind that even though veneers are very tough, it is still never advisable to use your teeth as tools (to open packages, for example) or to bite into very hard foods like candy apples! If you grind or clench your teeth at night, it is recommended to get a custom-made nightguard to protect your veneers — and of course the investment you’ve already made into your smile.

Bridges

Bridges are often referred to as fixed partial dentures because they are bonded to existing teeth or implants and are therefore semi-permanent. A fixed bridge is semi-permanent and cannot be taken out to clean and only your dentist will be able to remove it. The different types of fixed dental bridges include conventional fixed bridges, cantilever bridges, and resin-bonded bridges. Bridge appliances are usually made from porcelain, gold alloys, or a combination of materials.

Implant bridges are a type of appliance which is attached to an area below the gum tissue, or the bone.

Crowns

Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, cover implants or to prevent a cracked tooth from becoming worse. If an existing filling is in jeopardy of becoming loose or dislocated, a crown is also applied in some cases. Crowns also serve an aesthetic purpose to restore the natural appearance of a discolored or stained tooth.

Procedures

In order to accommodate a crown, a tooth must usually be reduced in size. After the reduction, an impression of the existing tooth is made. The impression is sent to a specialized lab, which then creates the custom-designed crown. A temporary crown can be applied until the permanent crown is ready. Once ready the permanent crown is cemented in place.

Crowns and veneers are often confused, but they are actually quite different. Veneers are typically applied only to cover relatively small areas.

Caring For Your Crowns

With proper care, a quality crown will last for many years. The goal of a crown is to restore form and function to its original state. To avoid disease and decay, it is very important to floss in the area of the crown to avoid excess plaque or collection of debris around the restoration.
Proper care includes avoiding behaviors that will shorten the life of your crown such as jaw clenching or bruxism (teeth grinding). Certain foods can also damage the adhesion of the crown or the crown itself. Brittle foods, ice, and hard candy should be avoided.

Procedure

Root canal therapy typically requires one to three visits. During the first visit, a small hole is drilled through the top of the tooth and into the inner chamber. Diseased tissue is removed, the inner chamber is then cleansed and disinfected, and the tiny canals are reshaped. The cleansed chamber and canals are filled with elastic material and medication designed to prevent infection. If necessary, the drilled hole may be temporarily filled until a permanent seal is made using a crown.

Most patients do not find the root canal experience to be too uncomfortable or painful and are able to enjoy a restored tooth that can last many years to come.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

• You wear each set of custom aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
• As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will shift into the desired position little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to their final position.
• You’ll only have to visit us on average every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as outlined in your customized treatment plan.
• Most patients average total treatment time of 9 – 15 months and go through an average 18 – 30 aligners, both numbers will vary from case to case.

How Are Aligners Made? You’d Be Amazed…

The aligners are designed through a combination of our expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

About Dr. Christopher Nelis

Dr. Chris Nelis is beyond excited to be rooted in West Michigan. He and his wife, Lauren, were both raised in Zeeland and graduates of Zeeland East High School and Hope College. During his time at Hope College, Dr. Nelis was a member of the Hope Men’s Basketball team and earned a degree in Psychology. Athletics have always comprised a large part of Dr. Nelis’ life. From childhood through his college years, the participation and competition derived from athletics has imparted many attributes such as leadership, discipline and cohesiveness. While at Hope College, Dr. Nelis was voted captain of the basketball team during his senior season. He knows that commitment and dedication required in a team sport has molded him into the individual he is today.

Following graduation from Hope College, Dr. Nelis earned his degree from the University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Dentistry. His time at Detroit Mercy provided him with valuable hands-on experience in an unmatched clinical setting. Upon completion, Dr. Nelis was accepted into a general practice residency through Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, IL. During his time in residency Dr. Nelis completed additional training in areas such as oral surgery, dental implant placement, emergency medicine, special needs dentistry, Invisalign orthodontic certification, and community outreach.

Although Dr. Nelis and his wife, Lauren, loved their time spent in Royal Oak and Chicago, they knew the environment of West Michigan was where they would want to raise their family. The two now have a two year old son named Bennett. Dr. Nelis and his wife are ecstatic to be rooted in the community surrounded by family and friends. They truly feel blessed to be back and serving the people of West Michigan.

Education

2018
CALIFORNIA IMPLANT INSTITUTE, San Diego, California
Fellowship in Oral Implantology 2018

2016-2017
ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER, Chicago, Illinois
General Practice Residency, June 2017

2012-2016
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, Detroit, MI
Doctor of Dental Surgery, May 2016

2006-2010
Hope College, Holland, MI
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, May 2010