#types of dental veneers

[eternal-smiles]

Enhancing Your Smile: Ceramic Dental Braces, Composite Bonding, and Dental Veneers

Achieving a perfect smile is now easier with advanced options like ceramic dental braces, composite bonding for front teeth, and various types of dental veneers. Ceramic braces blend seamlessly with your teeth, offering a discreet solution for alignment. Composite bonding is ideal for repairing and enhancing front teeth, providing a natural look. For those seeking a complete transformation, types of dental veneers such as porcelain or composite offer customizable aesthetics. These modern dental solutions ensure your smile remains both stunning and healthy. Explore these options to find the perfect fit for your dental needs.

[aligndentalcare]

Different types of dental veneers

A sort of substance called dental veneer is typically applied over the teeth to enhance your mouth's appearance. Your teeth can have their size, colour, and form altered using dental veneers. Dental veneers are used for a variety of purposes, from covering oral injuries to cosmetic purposes.

Dental veneers have the following benefits over other options:

They have a natural appearance.

They repel stains.

They work well for brightening teeth.

It's a rather easy process.

Dental veneers can be created using porcelain-like materials or composite resin materials. 

Dental veneers are frequently utilised to address:

teeth discoloration

fix shattered teeth

Well suited for individuals with spaced teeth

Apt for individuals with crooked teeth

The process begins with a dental appointment where a dentist examines your teeth closely and determines your goals for the surgery. An X-ray would then be taken to determine the inside structure of your teeth.

The various varieties of dental veneers that are typically seen are:

Porcelain veneers

A long-lasting, premium veneer that has a natural appearance. Because porcelain veneers are a tried-and-true method that preserves most of the original tooth structure, they are a reasonably frequent operation that patients undergo. The relatively easy technique is glueing the dental veneer into your mouth and cutting your enamel. The process takes two to three dental appointments to finish.

The veneers will be made by the ceramist in a lab, and the process will require a few weeks. After that, the teeth are fitted with it.

Ceramic veneers

Ceramic veneers, including pressed and stacked varieties Ceramic veneers are distinct from porcelain veneers in that they are more aesthetically pleasing. Although stacked ceramic veneers are more aesthetically pleasing, pressed ceramic veneers are thicker and easier to make than the other type of veneers.

Many people are also aware that porcelain veneers are slightly more durable than ceramic veneers.

Disilicate Lithium

For those who grind their teeth, these veneers are a good option. They are a modern dental veneer made with computer-aided technology that are becoming more and more popular because of its endurance and mechanical strength.

Dental veneer based on zirconia

Dental veneers made of zirconia are incredibly strong and suitable for patients with teeth that are structurally weak. Zirconia-based dental veneers, which are intended to counteract fractures, have become more and more popular recently because of their resilience.

To sum up, a dental veneer typically lasts between seven and fifteen years. Discuss the objectives of the operation with your dentist, and then base your selection on achieving those objectives, your concerns about appearance, and your financial situation.

To know more information, visit: https://www.aligndentalcare.lk/types-of-dental-veneers/

[mygentledentistau]

[bronx-ny-dentist]

Transformation of a Smile: Everything You Should Know about Veneers Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite material that are placed over the front teeth to improve their appearance. This process has become quite popular in cosmetic dentistry, giving patients the opportunity to achieve a beautiful smile without the need for extensive treatment. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about veneers - from the process of creating them to their benefits and possible limitations. Read more: https://www.bloglovin.com/@ameliagrant3/transformation-a-smile-everything-you-should https://www.bronx-ny-dentist.com/dental-veneers/

[parkavenuesmiles]

Can You Go Back To Your Normal Teeth After Veneers When seeking the ideal smile, patients frequently think about cosmetic dentistry services. Veneers can dramatically change how you look by hiding flaws in your teeth and giving them a flawless appearance. Read more: https://www.webgov.com/blog/can-you-go-back-to-your-normal-teeth-after-veneers https://www.yonkersdentalspa.com/dental-veneers/

[dentistsinannerley]

What are the different types of dental veneers and when are they used?

Exploring different types of dental veneers is a common topic here at Dentists In Annerley, especially when we chat about ways to make smiles shine. In other words, veneers are like thin covers for your teeth. They fix small problems like stains or little chips, giving your smile a quick, beautiful makeover.

At Dentists In Annerley, we make sure you get all the info you need, in simple words. So, we’re here to guide you, making sure you’re comfortable and know all your options.

Read More: https://www.dentistsinannerley.com.au/what-are-the-different-types-of-dental-veneers-and-when-are-they-used/

[hillcrestdentalca]

Explore the comprehensive world of dental crowns with "The Ultimate Guide to Dental Crowns." Uncover the various types, from traditional to innovative materials. Delve into the myriad benefits, ranging from enhanced aesthetics to functional restoration. Navigate through detailed procedures, demystifying the process and empowering you with knowledge for informed dental decisions. Your journey to a brighter, healthier smile begins here.

[beaumarisdental]

Transform Your Smile with Porcelain Veneers: A Step-by-Step Process

Introduction to Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers offer a remarkable solution to enhance your smile’s aesthetics. These slim, tailor-made shells are crafted to envelop the front surface of your teeth. Ideal for individuals dealing with tooth discoloration, chipping, or misalignment, veneers can also bridge gaps between teeth or reshape your smile.

The initial phase of obtaining porcelain veneers commences with scheduling a consultation with your dentist. During this appointment, your dentist will assess your dental condition and engage in a conversation about your treatment objectives. If you decide that porcelain veneers align with your aspirations, your dentist will proceed to take impressions of your teeth, forwarding them to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be meticulously crafted.

Once your veneers are ready, you will revisit the dentist’s office for the placement procedure. Typically, this process unfolds over two visits. The initial visit involves preparing your teeth for veneers and fitting temporary ones while your permanent veneers are fabricated. Approximately two weeks later, during the second visit, the permanent veneers are affixed to your teeth and adjusted as necessary.

Post-procedure care for porcelain veneers closely resembles the maintenance of natural teeth. Be sure to maintain regular brushing and flossing habits and keep up with routine dental check-ups and cleanings. With diligent care, porcelain veneers can retain their allure for many years.

Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers offer an array of benefits for those seeking to enhance their smile through cosmetic dentistry. These thin, custom-crafted shells that cloak the front of your teeth, fabricated from porcelain or composite resin material, can alter the color, size, shape, and length of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are prized for their durability and lifelike appearance, making them a favored choice for patients aiming to revamp their smile.

Key advantages of porcelain veneers encompass:

1. Enhancing the visual appeal of your smile 2. Achieving uniformity in tooth appearance 3. Concealing dental imperfections and flaws 4. Safeguarding natural tooth structure from further harm 5. Reinforcing the resilience and robustness of your teeth

Types of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dental solution for smile enhancement, come in two varieties: direct and indirect. Direct veneers are molded from your teeth and are directly applied to them. In contrast, indirect veneers are designed from a template of your teeth and are applied by a dental technician. The choice between these types hinges on your distinct requirements and smile objectives.

Step-by-Step Process for Acquiring Porcelain Veneers in Brampton Porcelain veneers are custom-made, thin ceramic shells that are tailored to cover the front surface of your teeth. These veneers can address common dental issues, including discoloration, chips, irregularly shaped teeth, and gaps between teeth.

If you are a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers, the next step is to arrange an appointment for the procedure, typically spanning two visits to the dentist’s office. One visit is dedicated to preparation, while the other involves the placement of the veneers.

During the initial visit, your teeth will undergo preparation, which entails a gentle buffing and shaping of the front tooth surface to ensure secure bonding of the veneers. Subsequently, impressions (molds) will be taken to craft your custom veneers.

Aftercare Guidelines for Sustaining Your New Smile

Maintaining your newly acquired smile is paramount to preserving its luster. Here are some aftercare recommendations:

1. Brush twice daily and floss daily to eliminate plaque and bacteria, mitigating the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

2. Regularly attend dental check-ups and cleanings.

3. Refrain from chewing on hard objects like ice or hard candy, as these can cause cracks or chips in your teeth.

4. Exercise caution when consuming hard foods; consider cutting them into smaller pieces to minimize stress on your veneers.

5. Be mindful of your consumption of coffee, tea, and red wine, as these substances can potentially stain your teeth over time.

In Conclusion:

Porcelain veneers offer a splendid means to revolutionize your smile and boost your self-assurance. This article has elucidated the step-by-step process, aiding you in determining whether porcelain veneers are the right choice for you. Should you opt for this transformative treatment, securing the services of an experienced dentist is imperative. With diligent upkeep, porcelain veneers can provide many years of joy, presenting you with a beautiful set of teeth that bring a smile to your face every time you glance in the mirror!

Contact Beaumaris Dental Care, your trusted Brampton dentist, to ensure your dental needs are expertly addressed, allowing you to revel in a lifetime of healthy smiles!

[clinicse]

DCİDENTALCLİNİC - DEVASA+ (3)

Are you considering enhancing your smile and wondering about the costs involved? If so, you’re not alone. Turkey has emerged as a popular destination for dental procedures, particularly for implants and veneers, thanks to its affordable prices and high-quality care. In this post, we'll explore the pricing of dental implants in Turkey, providing insights into what factors influence these costs. Additionally, we will dive into the world of dental veneers and crowns available in Antalya, showcasing their benefits and how they contribute to an overall radiant smile. 

İmplant turkey price

When considering dental implants, one of the most crucial factors that patients assess is the cost. İmplant turkey price are generally more affordable compared to many Western countries, making it a popular destination for those seeking dental treatments. The average implant turkey price can range from $300 to $800 per implant, depending on various factors such as the clinic's location, the expertise of the dentist, and the quality of materials used.

Another important aspect to consider is the all-inclusive packages offered by many dental clinics in Turkey. These packages often cover the entire treatment process, including pre-operative consultations, post-operative care, and sometimes even accommodations. This makes the overall dental experience not only economical but also convenient for international patients traveling for treatment.

It’s essential to conduct thorough research before selecting a clinic. Reading patient reviews, verifying the credentials of the dentist, and understanding what the quoted implant turkey price includes can help ensure a successful and satisfying dental procedure. With the right information at hand, patients can make informed decisions regarding their dental implants and en

Dental veneers antalya

When considering dental veneers Antalya, it's essential to understand both the aesthetic and functional benefits they offer. These thin shells of porcelain or composite resin are designed to cover the front surface of teeth, providing an enhanced appearance. Patients often choose veneers for their ability to correct issues such as discoloration, minor misalignments, and gaps, significantly improving their smiles.

The cost of dental veneers in Antalya can vary depending on several factors, including the type of material used and the complexity of the case. Generally, the prices are more affordable compared to many Western countries, making Antalya a popular destination for those seeking cosmetic dental treatments. Additionally, many dental clinics offer packages that include consultations and follow-up care.

For anyone considering dental veneers, it’s best to consult with a qualified dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry. They will provide patients with an understanding of the procedure, the expected results, and any potential risks. With the right guidance, achieving a perfect smile with dental veneers in Antalya can be a rewarding experience.

Dental veneers turkey

When it comes to achieving a perfect smile, dental veneers offer a transformative solution. In Turkey, the rise of cosmetic dentistry has made it an attractive destination for those seeking affordable and high-quality dental care. The process of applying veneers involves the placement of thin porcelain shells over the front of the teeth, which can enhance their appearance and address various aesthetic concerns.

What makes Turkey a popular choice for dental veneers Turkey is not just the competitive pricing but also the high standards of dental practice. Many Turkish dental clinics have state-of-the-art technology and experienced professionals who specialize in cosmetic procedures. This combination allows patients to receive top-notch care while enjoying significant cost savings compared to procedures in other countries.

Patients from around the world visit Turkey for dental veneers due to the country's reputation for excellent service and patient satisfaction. With personalized treatment plans and a focus on aesthetics, Turkish dentists help individuals achieve their desired smile. Whether addressing discoloration, gaps, or misalignment, veneers in Turkey can provide a stunning and natural-looking outcome.

Dental crowns antalya

When it comes to enhancing your smile, dental crowns are a popular choice among patients seeking both aesthetic and functional improvements. In Antalya, the demand for quality dental services has surged, particularly for procedures like dental crowns. These crowns are custom-made caps that cover damaged or weakened teeth, providing strength and support while also improving overall appearance.

The benefits of choosing dental crowns Antalya are numerous. Not only are they crafted from high-quality materials, but the cost is also significantly lower compared to many Western countries. This means you can achieve a beautiful and healthy smile without breaking the bank. The combination of skilled dental professionals and modern technology ensures a high success rate and patient satisfaction.

Moreover, many clinics in Antalya offer comprehensive packages that include consultations, x-rays, and post-treatment care, making the entire process seamless.

[keenunknownkingdom]

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are specifically designed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of teeth by covering their front surface. These veneers are commonly crafted using materials such as porcelain or composite resin and are permanently affixed to the teeth through a bonding process. Dental veneers come in several types, each offering different benefits and considerations.

[afrikagora-blog]

New Teeth refers to the implant and the coatings that come over the implant. If there is no need for implants, only the veneers are referred to as new teeth.

We have all seen news reports about celebrities, socialites, and millennials travelling to Turkey or other nations with comparable dental care systems. How healthy are they for your body, though? What steps are involved? What may develop over time? Is it a false advertisement? This type of care is not something we provide. However, I’d want to provide you with some unbiased information for anyone thinking about this sort of operation.

[eternal-smiles]

Emergency Dentist Solihull: Eternal Smiles and Modern Dental Solutions

At Eternal Smiles, our emergency dentist Solihull offers immediate care for urgent dental issues. We specialize in various types of dental veneers, including porcelain and composite options, to restore your smile's aesthetics. Additionally, we provide composite bonding for front teeth, a popular choice for repairing chips and gaps. Trust Eternal Smiles for all your emergency dental needs and cosmetic enhancements, ensuring your smile stays bright and healthy.

[ofallthingsnasty]

been thinkin about mouth inspections at the dentist (with our faves). Isn’t there a way to tell if you’ve given bjs before? Like there’s an indent in the roof of your mouth or something? Since you have experience in dentistry, i thought I might ask💀

Perhaps dentist fave pokes around in your mouth and finds that spot, asking all sorts of gross questions, who’ve you done it with? how many have you given? and then forces you on your knees, explaining the whole time what he’s doing to that spot in your mouth as he brutalizes your throat. Law or Doffy would be the worst for it. Doffy wouldn’t be able to control himself and Law would be so calm and collected, it would be scary

Yes, but only hard and recent blowjobs - there can be petechiae on your palate!! (Think tiny red spots) We don't care, though ajsjjksk and as always THIS IS FICTIONAL OFC I DON'T ENDORSE THIS AJSKKS

The mental image of 'big dick Doflamingo's everything but mostly expensive implants mill'-dental office is sending me. Baby 5 not-so-subtly chewing gum behind her mask while she makes you wait in the chair. Him coming in half an hour late (you've been nervous and sweating the whole damn time and the radio is blasting nothing but shitty early 2010s pop which doesn't help), clearly fresh from some break and not a difficult procedure, showing you just how much he doesn't care about you. He fucking reeks of cologne. Light pink scrubs that fit him so well it's not even funny. Has a weirdly delicate gold chain around his neck that really emphasizes the way his pecs puff up before connecting with his collarbone. It kind of makes you want to fall into his... well, his cleavage. (Because of course he chooses scrubs with a rather unorthodox neckline - who's going to tell him off? He's the boss. Sometimes he comes in wearing polo shirts in that same pink tone and they're always, always a little too tight.)

He throws himself into his little chair so hard it skids right up to you and he just smiles as a greeting, porcelain-white veneers blinding you for a moment, before he puts his mask up (also pink, it's a whole fucking theme here). It's all pretty standard, Baby 5's clearly fake nails clicker-clacker away at the keyboard while he lists off your dental status - until he gets to the soft tissue, especially your palate.

tw. crack treated seriously + noncon = the combo from hell, medical malpractice, Law is in here too, as a separate listing (same tags for him + hypnosis), minors dni, don't take this too seriously i had too much fun writing this it's so silly, dental hypno doesn't work like this don't worry lol

Well, that's certainly an eyebrow raiser. Looks like little old unassuming you has a bit of a wild side. He can tell you know your stuff by how big and angry-red the bruise on your mucosa is. You've been a patient of his for a long time now - and other that the fact that you pretty much look like you're about to faint every time your ass touches the chair, you've been rather forgettable (but cute, he has to admit). He can tell you don't like the way he fingers around your mouth one bit - and that you're waiting for his final evaluation, taut like a bowstring. You're probably pissing your pants at the thought of getting some major work done. He knows your type and nudges his fingers just a little farther down your throat, to your uvula, just to see how trained your gag reflex is (and to keep you anxious for just a few seconds longer, it's just too precious).

You don't even blink. Others would have coughed up their breakfast by now but you're sitting there, eyes teary and face worried. Would you look at that. It's good he's wearing his mask or else you'd be able to see that he's poking out his tongue because he's smiling so hard - you're suddenly in his top ten patients, right next to all the big bucks and two or three genuinely interesting cases. And oh, he's getting ideas with the way you fidget under his gaze. You wouldn't tattle. You wouldn't even fight back. My, you're perfect for a little lunch time fun.

Baby 5 is out of the room with a single gesture, closes the door behind her with a distinctive click. She won't bother him either, she'll just go hide in the break room and text her newest boyfriend until someone scrapes her out of there again. And you? You're already anxiously waiting for his diagnosis, fearing the worst. Oh, he'll give you the worst. It's delicious to see your face go from nervous to absolutely crestfallen as he spins some tall tale about how need to get big work done on two molars, how bad it already is and how you probably should opt for implants (his specialty, after all. And so expensive he just knows you'll do just about anything to save a little money.) Of course, you trust him. And of course, you agree for him to go with the 'best' (and coincidentally most expensive) option, even when you're clearly fighting back tears at the price. He tells you to lay back, brings the chair to the highest, horizontal position and overstretches the neck so that your mouth is in a perfect line with your throat. It's unpleasant how the blood from the rest of your body is cut off from your head in this position, how the whole room is suddenly overhead and that damn light is shining straight into your eyes. It's supposed to give him a better look at your upper teeth - but when you open your eyes to his fucking dick of all things and him telling you that you want that treatment cheap, don't you?, you learn that not everyone has your best interest in mind. (Sadly, you don't even get to answer because he just shoves himself into you and fucks the protest right out of your oesophagus.) When he's done with you, your whole face is full of spit and mucus and you probably lost consciousness at least once - turns out not enough perfusion for your brain coupled with extreme anxiety and someone gripping your throat to fuck it better isn't exactly the healthiest thing in the world.

Honestly, you'll try so hard not to go back after that experience, you really do. Problem is, you gave them your mobile number when you first signed over your data - and just two days later you'll get a barrage of texts in finest text speak anno 2004, with a million of 😜🤞😂🦩 emojis asking you about the state of your throat and if you still want that follow-up. Cheapest set of dental implants you'll ever get, honestly. You only have to sell him your dignity.

Law on the other hand... All prim and proper in starched white, medical professional through and through, yet so gentle - has a whole concept around dental phobic patients, with warm and welcoming treatment rooms, gentle music, offers laughing gas, hypnosis and even general anesthesia if the fear is especially bad. Always professional and never condescending or infanitilizing (like some can be when it comes to phobic patients). He's a dentist, a doctor, the authority in this place but he guides with a gentle hand - and people adore him.

You've been his patient for a while now - and he can't lie, he really likes you. You've been a dream to work with despite your anxiety; have endured every session bravely, you hang onto every word he says with big, wet eyes. He makes a suggestion - you take it. No matter the cost, the time, how outlandish the approach might be, you're always willing, nod your head yes and try to tough it out. You're somewhat soggy, almost whiny but that's okay. It's kind of cute, really. So when he sees those telltale red spots on your palate, he's a little surprised... You come across as so meek while on the chair, it's hard to picture you as anything else outside of it. But clearly, you're either an extremely attentive lover or you're wilder than he thought. Honestly, he's almost pouting over this revelation. Who are you fucking? Even if the sentiment is inappropriate, it should be him - at least that's what his little crush on you whispers to him deep, deep down. He mills over it a little too long, long enough for you to try to speak around his fingers in your mouth - there you go again, asking him (and so politely, too) if there is something, anything? And to his shame, all he can think about is if this is how your tongue feels like when you're using it. The way you slur against his hand, that warm and entirely too inviting mouth so close yet so far - it's giving him some shameful, shameful ideas. What harm is in a little test drive - especially when you've been proven to respond well to hypnosis. He has just enough time to rope you into a little session, as well. So he pulls a face behind the mask and explains that yes, actually, you have a little cavity - a teeny tiny thing that could be filled so easily right now, if you have the time for it. The way you immediately tense up underneath him isn't lost to him. God, you hate surprises, he knows that, and he's being so, so selfish - but it's too late to take back his words now.

He can practically watch the thoughts form in your brain, can see how you valiantly try to fight down the panic over a surprise dental procedure. But, as always, you swallow the lie hook, line and sinker. And when you ask him if he can use hypnosis on you again, he knows he's won this round. It's not ideal - you're already upset over this whole situation and to get you into that relaxed state is going to be a lot of work, but he knows you well enough by now. A sentence here, a soothing word there, gentle encouragement wrapped around it all like a bow - the moment you've let go, he can simply pull his pants down and force himself into your mouth, that's how far away you'll be. Of course, you aren't as active as he wants you to be, but the thrill and novelty of the situation is more than enough for him. The thought of marking you like this, to cum right down you throat without you or the ominous other person fucking you knowing, is more arousing than he'd like to admit. Maybe he has to stroke himself to completion (because your slack lips around him are far from enough) but his orgasm builds up quickly and hits him hard. He can already feel that pesky sense of guilt nagging away at him the moment he collects his breath - but he cleans you up and fixes your rumpled clothes and shoves all those bad feelings into some far away corner of his mind.

Your numb jaw is easily explained away, as is that horrible taste in your mouth - and he did give you a filling, after all, so hey, the lie isn't that bad, right?

(Law totally did his junior time at Doffy's terrible implant money grub mill and then vowed to himself that he'll never ever ever become like that. Well, that kinda sorta didn't work out, huh?)

[kazuromi]

so you know that one post i made about velvet and veneer headcanons that i said i'd make last month but was too lazy to make a follow up? well, now after bombing all of my finals and then having a lot of shit go down on christmas weekend, i have summoned the motivation to actually write down these bad boys.

they're twins. in that one scene, velvet was just being overdramatic about when veneer was a baby. she really doesn't have any memories from before she was 3 years old.

we all agreed that veneer is gay and velvet's a lesbian, right?

velvet used to be a very aggressive kid. like she'd attempt to beat up people twice her size.

meanwhile, veneer was very shy and not very assertive. in elementary school, that led to him being bullied by other kids. that's also probably one of the main reasons why velvet ended up being an aggressive kid.

veneer would get really good grades, like valedictorian level. velvet never got a grade above a c, and if you ever saw her getting a decent score on a test, you'd know that she was probably cheating. however, the teachers mostly didn't give a fuck.

the two of them would play various video games together. veneer usually lets velvet win because she's a sore loser.

velvet's real name isn't velvet. she's also named after a dental term, but she changed it because that name was atrocious.

if they didn't get cancelled for using the trolls as drugs, they'd be cancelled after someone finds their old twitter accounts. at least velvet's. she seems like the type of person to be on kpop stan twitter.

veneer used to be a theater kid. in seventh grade he'd quote really obscure musicals every time he talked.

velvet dresses like a pinterest coquette.

you know when the prison plays certain music to make you confess to your crimes? the mount rageous prison used brozone's entire discography for that. jokes on the prison, they both enjoyed it.

i have an entire angsty backstory that i've written for them that i'm too lazy to write out.

that being said, like, comment, reblog, and follow for a part 2!

[parkavenuesmiles]

Dental Veneers: Debunking 8 Myths and Revealing Facts About Them Modern dentistry provides patients with many options to improve the appearance of their smile and solve dental problems. One of the innovative solutions popular among patients and professionals is veneers, which improve the appearance of teeth and restore lost functions. However, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions that circulate around this technology, creating confusion and misunderstanding. In this article, we'll shed light on eight common myths about veneers and get to the bottom of the facts behind them. Read more: https://otherarticles.com/health/dental-care/272384-dental-veneers-debunking-8-myths-and-revealing-facts-about-them.html https://www.yonkersdentalspa.com/dental-veneers/

[noveldivergence]

Apostate - Chapter One - 4251w

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Apostate is a Lovecraftian crime horror with themes some might find objectionable in later chapters. While nothing more than a description of a dead body is shown in chapter one, please be mindful of triggers listed in my pinned post.

TAG LIST: @lord-fallen @coffeexafterxmidnight @philosophika (please send an ask or dm to be added)

Chapter One

Bell Baylor hated the heat and its miserable twin, humidity. Sweat clung, caul-like, on his forehead as he stood in the field beneath a haint-blue sky. He hated the feeling of the sunscreen he’d smeared on his face as a half-measure, streaking deep into the lines of his face. The sun melted the crust of sunscreen and made it drip down his temples, a mixture of sweat and chemicals colored a bone-bleached white. 

He hated the sound of the cicadas too, screaming their lusty songs from the trees, haunting him since he’d gotten here. He hated the empty creek bed in front of him, all dried up and dead. It had been full of life once. 

So had the man laying in it. Now both man and creek lay empty, dry as a bone in the hot Georgia sun. 

Red clay clung to bone as rust did to iron, and cave-hollow skull sockets stared up at him. Doctors Cargill and Lal had brushed carefully against the ribs as if they’d found a pharaoh’s tomb, but nothing could quite mute the vivid orange tone to the lower half of the body that had sunk into the creekbed. The prickled brush of a heat-dead tree-line a hundred yards away did little to shield them from vivid sky-fire beating down, but flame hadn’t faded traces of mud from bone quite yet. 

‘Found him when the crick dried up,’ the property owner had proudly told the local police. ‘Was making some rounds when a cow got loose and found his hand reaching up out of it. Scared the shit outta me, I’ll tell you that.’

The creek had been deeper once, Bell knew, full of life and death in all its forms--deep enough to cover the body of a fully grown male and get him stuck deep down in the mud and rock and red clay in this part of Georgia. 

But it didn’t make too much sense for the suspected homicide victim to end up in Slaughter County, regardless of what the name of the place may have implied. It was out in the middle of nowhere, at least until the chemical plant had moved in and made it somewhere at last. Bell could imagine the locals kicking and screaming about that the whole time too, from what he’d seen so far. Still, the plastic ID card near the body had read the name plain as day, even through mud streaks and sun-bleaching.

Brandon Severin, 24, male, white, recent fifth-year senior graduate of Georgia State University, disappeared from Atlanta nearly two years prior. Known for party-heavy behavior which delayed his graduation and lost him part of his left pinkie finger in a dazzling display of stupidity at a kegger. 

So much could have stolen the finger on the corpse after death, Bell reminded the over-eager deputy who’d briefed him: fish, frogs, the rush of current. It didn’t have to be Severin’s body, even with the identification card. It might not be. They’d have to wait for dental records, he insisted, even as he eyed the file that listed Severin had veneers.

The smile of them was unnerving even to Bell. They were as bleached-white as the rest of him, with a wrongness none of them would speak aloud. Still, he was sure all of them felt it, even Luther, and Luther wasn’t type to be easily unnerved. 

Supposedly, Severin had gotten a job interview in Savannah that didn’t actually exist. State police couldn’t find proof of it at least. Friends had claimed he’d been depressed, and police theorized he’d gone off to end it with a convenient lie to delay the search for a body or a suicide note. When his car had been found near Lake Lanier, that theory had solidified. While the case was still officially open, the police in Atlanta hadn't seen it as pressing–at least not if the files Bell read on the way over were any indicator. They hadn’t drained that cursed lake before for more urgent cases, more pressing closures. They weren’t ready to drain Lake Lanier for a party boy with a death wish, even if his rich parents were hollering to the news about it.

The creek before Bell didn’t connect to Lake Lanier. Instead, it connected to Lake Troxler, another large man-made lake dug out and filled when the plant moved nearby into Besant. While it lay in roughly equal distance between Atlanta and Savannah, the town was a convenient through point for neither. 

Dr. Lal’s head appeared from behind the shoddy barrier around the creek.

“Agent Baylor? The ribs are the same as New Orleans.”

Bell shared a glance with Luther Tanner, his partner agent in this mess sent with him to the furnace of hell that was Georgia in high summer. He’d hadn’t known the man for too long. In many ways, he was still as much a mystery as Severin and his disappearance and Bonds down in New Orleans. They’d had the case file dropped on their desks four months ago up in Quantico. If it weren’t for the New Orleans case and the nightmares it brought them both, the box of loosely interconnected files probably wouldn’t even exist. Bell wouldn’t have even met the man beside him as more than a passerby in the halls. Just another box shape with steel gray hair, sharp eyes, and ill-fitted suit.

Not that he wasn’t getting there, he reminded himself, save the box-shape that at least implied he was at least fit at one point. 

“We’ll see if we can connect Severin to Bonds.” Luther sighed, and Bell watched as the man’s fingers twitched for a cigarette as he spoke.

How many years had it been since he’d quit smoking, if he quit? Bell had seen the bottom of a nicotine patch on Luther’s arm earlier, the outline still whispering beneath the thinner fabric of a summer shirt. His own father had quit cigarettes when Bell was twenty-four but wore the nicotine patches till he’d died two years ago. Never stopped drinking. No way to know with some people. Addiction was funny like that. It pursued people in funny little ways, all their lives, invisible to the gaze of others. 

Luther met his eyes looking at his twitching fingers and sighed, shaking his head, before stomping off through the field. It would have been a lot more dramatic, if the crunch of the grass wasn’t so quietly pathetic. With a quick glance back into the black, blank eyes-that-should-have-been of their victim, Bell followed through the tall, crackling stalks.

Luther had been on edge since they’d arrived in Besant, Georgia, with this new, familiar slaying; because of New Orleans, Bell had thought, surely.  Luther would want to touch base with him about that, of that he was certain. What had happened in New Orleans kept the wheels of his mind turning constantly since it had happened those months ago, grinding his life to a stop and throwing off sparks like a train with a pulled emergency brake.

Only it wasn’t New Orelans. It was Besant itself.

What had once been a near-ghost town had only gained more people recently with the arrival of the petrochemical plant. Havich Industries had claimed yet more space in the American landscape with its flagship plant deep in the heart of the American South. Bell had heard the Havich family lived out here too. They followed the money.

And a lot of people followed them.

Bell sure had thoughts on that. 

Bastards, the lot of them, like most with ungodly money. If it weren’t for the heat, he’d be breaking out in hives from the sheer obscenity of the building on the ridge pouring out smoke and tainting the beauty of the open sky.

But Luther wasn’t Bell, and obscenity wasn’t why Luther was on edge. 

“You said something about your son living round here?” Bell kept his voice low. He wasn’t sure if Cargill and Lal, the pathologists the Bureau had sent with them, knew much about Agent Tanner, but he was sure that was entirely purposeful on the older man’s part. Hell, he only knew a little. Enough to be dangerous. Luther’s jaw clenched. He talked less about his son than he did his wife, and Bell figured it had to be on purpose. Bell was sure if they weren’t here, weren’t where Calvin was, that he might not even know the young man’s name. 

Luther knew Bell’s sons' names, of course. He knew them before Bell had told him, and he knew Diane’s name too. Luther was that sort of agent.

“I take it that’s an issue.” Bell continued speaking through Luther’s brick-wall silence. He was used to it. If Luther thought he could gain advantage over his curiosity with the tricks of stubborn adolescence, he was wrong.

“It’s not an issue.”

“You sure?”

“It’s not an issue for this case, Baylor.”

Bell paused before nodding, glancing back at the taped off creekbed as he did so. Luther had only started using first names recently, despite all of their work together. He couldn’t find it in himself to be too surprised that he’d slide back to surnames at the first sign of irritation with Bell. He couldn’t even find it in himself to be irritated. His emotional capacity for the day had leaked out his sweat glands with what he was sure was the rest of his brain and insides. He didn’t have time for Luther’s personal problems.

“So.” Bell wiped an errant string of sweat-soaked black hair from his line of sight. “You think the director’s right about this being a serial? Hell of a coincidence if it isn’t, I think. With the way the bones look and all.”

Luther nodded, before cracking a small awkward smile. Bell had learned this was his equivalent of a slap on the arm, all masculine gesturing, all reassurances, all the little things he’d so rarely been included on in life, even at the FBI.

“You ever see the sun a day in your life, or did they bring you out of the basement for this one to fuck with you?”

A glass-breaking laugh cracked from Bell before he could stop it, but thankfully Luther had heard it enough in the last four months that he didn’t wince at the sound like many did. 

“They–,” Bell stammered through laughter, “they thought I needed enrichment outside of my enclosure.”

Luther’s laugh was barkish, bulldog that he was, and his head tossed back with it. A pair of local deputies sent off glances between them and the scene of discovery, but said nothing. Bell wondered if they’d ever had a case involving the FBI. They hadn’t even touched base with the sheriff yet; they’d all got in at 0200 this morning and fallen asleep for a bittersweetly cursed five hours before leaving the air-conditioned oasis of the hotel in the morning for the scene. 

It was more sleep than they got in New Orleans.

 Breaking the moment with a nod, Luther stalked back over to the side of the ditch, craning his neck down about two feet from the edge. He’d fallen in once. Bell didn’t know it for sure in his mind, but he did in his gut, from the way the agent held himself. 

He’d fallen once too, early in his days with the FBI. Stepped wrong off a muddy lick of solid ground into a mass grave near the aptly named Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia. His foot had caved a skull, rotted through with the seep of the bog and face bloated beyond recognition even before his clumsy idiocy. It sounded like the crunch of wet and rotten cabbage being split open. Nearly twenty years on, and he remembered the sound. 

If Luther tripped, it would sound like the crunch of pottery underfoot, shattering so much history of the tomb Severin had fallen silent in. Bell had been lucky back then for dental records and lessons learned. They were lucky here for more than that. He stood by Luther and watched the doctors work with the rest of the forensics team weaving through the area around them like ants to their queens. 

“Chances of finding anything around the area aren't good. Been too long.” Luther gestured at the body, before patting his shirt pocket reflexively. Nonexistent pack, Bell thought before replying.

“What do you think about the ID card?” Luther bit his fingernail, seemingly uncaring of the black build-up beneath them.

“I think we’re either very lucky and our killer is very stupid or–” He gestured at Bell to complete his thought.

“Or the killer left it here on purpose.”

“Or Severin here really did fall into the lake.” There was a dark twinkle of humor to Luther’s eyes. “And went twenty rounds with a gator.”

“I doubt that.” Both men looked down at the bemused face of Dr. Cargill, who stood hands on hips staring up at them with wide brown eyes. “I can’t tell you yet without a full examination, but the wounds look purposeful.”

“Thank you, Rhoda.” Luther smiled a bit ruefully, shaking his head. Bell wondered if Luther’s nature was why he got the social misfits of the agency like himself and Dr. Cargill attached to his cases. He seemed to have a patience for the weird, or at least put up a good facade that he did.

Dr. Cargill hummed and went back to excavating the last bit of the body with Dr. Lal. Bell wondered if she handled the heat better with her shaved head. His own father had gone bald, and while Bell hadn’t seen any signs of that happening in his own life, he was afraid to test fate by taking the razor to it.

“Too much water damage too, before it all turned to clay and red dust.” Dr. Lal didn’t even look up from her work. “I don’t believe you’ll find any DNA or identifiable particulates on the body after the water and heat damage.”

Luther shrugged, turning towards a sound down field. The kick up of that same dried blood dust and the hum of an engine came from a distance. Bell heard Luther huff a small laugh before he realized that whoever was making their way towards them was being escorted by the property’s owner on the back of a UTV. The deputies stood straighter, as it approached.

The sheriff then.

Luther reached a hand into the ditch to help Cargill and Lal up the embankment, while Bell approached the UTV. Sheriff Harlowe was a tall man; his knees folded in an awkward slope towards the footboards of the machine. He looked less like a sheriff, Bell thought, and more like an Appalachian mountain man. He imagined that the sudden increase in population hadn’t done much for the man’s attitude or number of gray beard hairs, but despite that he’d been the sheriff for the past twenty-some-odd years.

He looked it. The thought was uncharitable of Bell, he knew, but the man had the kind of skin that had been tanned and hardened as tough as whitleather. Wrinkles sat like divots in the parts of his face that weren’t concealed by beard or brows or the longish mane of salt-pepper-rust hair that stuck out in wild strands from under his hat. He’d been the sheriff for twenty-some-odd years, yes, but Bell couldn’t tell if he had another twenty in him.

Harlowe’s father was the sheriff before him, he’d been told. Besant, Georgia had been that sort of town once. The wisp of white smoke coming over the hills from the direction of the plant was as much a marker of desolation as it was progress.

“It Severin?”

The sheriff’s voice was roughly chewed gravel sifted through an ashtray. It reminded Bell of his father’s at its root, all Marlboro and masculine posturing. The accent was different, oceans apart, but the core was familiar. Bell wasn’t sure how he felt about that, not yet at least.

“We’re not 100% yet, but the evidence is pointing towards that.” Bell glanced sideways at the property owner, who was eyeing him with an almost affectionate sense of doubt he was sure was reserved for the most well-meaning Northerners. Harlowe gave him a nod, a friendly dismissal abided by. The sheriff waited till the UTV had turned and cleared the area before he turned back to Bell.

“You Tanner or Baylor?”

“Sorry, yes, Agent Bellamy Baylor. Bell or Baylor, either work.”

“Agent Luther Tanner.”

Bell turned slightly, as Luther wiped sweaty hands on trousers and extended one in greeting towards the sheriff. He hadn’t offered his own hand, but then neither had the sheriff. The man seemed skeptical as it was of Luther, who was cut more from the same cloth of machismo. 

“Boone Harlowe. Either name is fine. Ladies?”

“Yes,” Luther nodded towards the two lead analysts they’d brought along. “Dr. Rhoda Cargill and Dr. Bhavani Lal.”

“A pleasure.” Dr. Cargill moved forward for a handshake, which the Sheriff seemed mildly surprised by, but shook her hand nonetheless. Bell wondered if the issue was one of race or gender or even her shaved head and nose ring, settling quickly on the matter of gender, as Harlowe tipped the brim of his hat to Dr. Lal next.

“Nice to meet you, Sheriff.”

“You as well, ma’am. Ma’am. You the uh…”

“Forensic pathologists.” Lal nodded towards Cargill.

“Yes, sir. Dr. Lal and I are leading the investigation into the body itself. Our team is combing the area for any trace evidence. Unfortunately, given the time frame, it’s unlikely there’s anything notable that’s lasted this long.”

“How long y’all think it’s been?”

“We can’t be sure until we’ve gotten him into a lab, but I would estimate he died shortly after his disappearance.” The sheriff nodded, turning from Lal to Cargill.

“Small mercy, I suppose. I’m guessing it’s not a drowning, Doc?”

Dr. Cargill shook her head and released an uncharacteristic sigh. She had a high and breathy voice, and the noise sounded almost musical–a lilting dirge to the deceased.

Bell sighed too, despite himself, glancing back at the creek bed. The skeleton was covered by the rise of the embankment, but he could see it–could see New Orleans–in his mind’s eye. The split of ribs. The wild slices of blade or animal teeth down to bone. The lack of eyes and ears and tongue. There had been flesh left in New Orleans. There had not been enough flesh left in New Orleans.

There were no mercies for Brandon Severin, great or small.

“Taking that as a no, huh Baylor?”

Bell shook his head, snapping back to reality to see the others giving him a concerned glance. He tried for a weak smile, feeling the crust of sunscreen crack in the lines of his forehead. Lal seemed to have a small mercy on him.

“It’s highly unlikely his death was a result of drowning.” Dr. Lal’s tone was as matter-of-fact as if she were describing the shape of the earth. “At least not without multiple major contributing factors that would have resulted in death otherwise.”

Bell had known Bhavani far longer than Luther. He knew less about her than he did of the other agent. He did appreciate her demeanor though, just warm enough to keep her overly clinical speech from making her appear unempathetic. Not that they were in need of warmth here. Since arriving, they’d been suffocating in a sauna of Southern hospitality and politeness, more cloying and clinging than even the sheen of sweat.

“So he was dumped here?” The Sheriff nodded towards the ditch.

“Or the lake, yes, and flowed down here where he got stuck. That seems most likely. There is a massive injury to his chest cavity. Given…prior encounters with a similar case, I would hazard that this was his cause of death.” 

Lal seemed hesitant to give this much information. Too many assumptions.

“Serial killer then?”

There it was.

“Too early to tell,” Luther rebutted quickly. “We’re not ruling anything out, though.”

“It is, then.” Harlowe seemed sure of himself, and Bell sighed.

“It’s complicated.”

“How–” Luther’s firm voice cut the sheriff off.

“It’s complicated. But again, we aren’t ruling anything out.”

A cloud the shape of a file box shadowed Bell’s mind. No need to worry anyone local. Not yet at least, but the sheriff looked as skeptical as Bell felt. And why shouldn’t he? Before the plant had moved in Besant was unincorporated, known for nothing more than a horse breeding facility. Harlowe had the demeanor of a man who had a fine discernment for horse shit, a sommelier of lies that got caught up in good breeding. 

The white smoke lingered above the hillside.

“Woulda hated to see him before he was just a pile of bones,” Harlowe commented from somewhere just behind Bell’s shoulder. His mind had meandered at some point during the muffled conversation. It was wont to do that more and more these days, especially since they’d been called to the Bonds case. He wondered if he should bother worrying about it. It seemed that he had so much to worry over, particularly corpses in creeks and swamps and ditches and run-off trenches.

He’d ruined enough by putting worry off in his life. What was a little more? 

Bell lingered near the back of the group, only vaguely listening to their conversation, instead staring between them, below them, into Severin’s empty eye sockets. Nothing else could be done in the field at this point. They’d have to transport body and earth and particulates alike back to the cold closet of a medical examiner’s office in the local hospital’s basement, hoping all the way that no equipment broke in transportation. Or, he held back a sigh, anything they had to send away for analysis got lost in the mail. It had happened more than he cared to admit. More than the FBI would publicly admit either.

“You’ll have to push the gurney back up towards the gravel road. We ain’t getting the morgue truck down here, not anytime soon, especially with how well it’s holding up. Hey--”

The sheriff had turned a glare to the younger of his deputies.

“No smoking. Dry as kindling out here, you’re gonna light yourself and the whole damn field on fire. Jesus Christ.”

Addiction was funny like that, Bell thought for the second time that day. 

He tamped down a wry smile, even as the young man tried to hide his sins and move to help with the removal of the body. Luther and Harlowe shared glances reserved for men with sons older than Bell’s own, as they helped the doctors back down the embankment. Pathologists lingered like fruit flies, as the choir of cicadas rose their pitch and volume till they were drowning out all else.

He wasn’t sure how he spotted it. The line of beech trees was nearly a hundred yards away, and the malformation was small. Could be a trick of light. Could be any number of things. Something called him still, some strange feeling wriggling in the back of his mind, like the melody of a familiar, forgotten song. He couldn’t place it. He was sure he’d never felt it before. It felt known to him despite that.

Bell looked beyond the others towards the tree line and began walking. Even a hundred yards away in the meandering windbreak of beech trees, the sound of cicadas was overwhelming. It thrummed in cacophony against the internal music of his soul, and were he asked later, he couldn’t tell anyone what compelled him to walk towards the line of bone-white beech trees sticking awkwardly along the boundaries of the field. Not truthfully. Not without sounding insane.

He could claim the carving was visible, just barely from the creek bed. That the sun had crept in and the lighting had been just right to pique Bell’s curiosity. None of that was true. They’d know that. Or would they ask? If it helped, would anyone care? The grass crunched beneath his feet. The corpses of dead cicadas crunched beneath his feet.

The trees grew closer. 

The marking was carved into the tree and partially covered by the clinging corpse of a southern grass cicada. Bell resisted the urge to brush it to the ground, and instead slipped it into a small plastic bag he’d carried in his pocket. He felt dizzy from the heat. The screams of the insects swarmed into the songs of a calliope, and his mind spun in a tortuous carousel race. Why? He bent down and leaned in close, fingers and eyes searching the bark of the tree.

The marking was a rudimentary drawing of a man, arms and legs splayed out in an X-shape and head a simple circle. Above the head were scratched lines not unlike a crown, and the arms and legs ended in similarly scratched claws.

It made him lightheaded in ways he couldn’t understand. The cicadas pressed in, ever present sonic warfare bombarding whatever sense he had that hadn’t already been overtaken by the oppressive heat. The caul of sweat and the shrieking cries of new life overwhelmed him.

Bell’s vision swam. He vaguely registered the crown of the trees filtering out the haint-blue sky. He felt himself falling, falling, falling, and he tried to reach out, to claw towards the tree, but could find no purchase there.

He fell through the veil.