Veneers come in all shapes, sizes and shades. As dental technological advancements are made every year, veneers have become more and more natural looking. The porcelain covers or shells are attached to teeth when the patient has concerns about chipped, misshapen or other issues with the appearance of their smile. Although it is a cosmetic procedure, the stain resistant veneers offer some individuals peace of mind and confidence in their day-to-day life.
Consultation
The process usually takes place during two to four appointments over the course of a couple weeks with your dentist. The first appointment will probably be a simple consultation of discussing your questions, expectations and exactly what you’re hoping to achieve with veneers. This conversation is crucial for you and your dentist to be on the same page so any limitations can be discussed and everyone can be happy with the end result.
X-Rays, Molding & Enamel Work
The next appointment might include taking X-rays of your teeth, taking a mold of your teeth and mouth, and sharing photos of what your current smile looks like versus what you want your dream smile to look like after the veneers. Following this, a very small amount of enamel could be trimmed from your teeth (most likely no more than ½ millimeter of enamel) as the dentist ensures your veneers will fit and bond closely to your teeth.
Final Impressions & Shading Selection
Next, an impression of your tooth or several teeth will be taken to send away to a laboratory for the construction of your veneers. During this visit, you’ll most likely find the perfect shade for your veneers, ensuring a more natural look to avoid the bright white “doll teeth” look the dental world attempts to avoid.
Fitting, Bonding & Cleaning
After the mold of your teeth is used to create the veneers, you’ll come in for your final appointment of placing the veneers. Everything will be checked before they are bonded to your teeth. You can feel the fit and see how they look in your mouth prior to cementing them to your teeth. Most of the time, anesthesia is not necessary for this procedure, but feel free to talk to your dentist about your options if you have concerns. After you’re both satisfied with the appearance of the veneers, your dentist will clean your teeth then place the veneers. A cement, which also comes in different shades, will be applied and hardened by a special light beam.
Follow-Up & Regular Oral Hygiene
Depending on your dentist, they might ask you to come in for a follow-up appointment after you’ve had time to eat, drink, and live life with your new smile to make sure there aren’t any problems. Taking care of your porcelain veneers involves the same dental hygiene recommendations as regular teeth, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. If healthy habits are kept up, you can expect them to last for approximately ten years before you’ll need them replaced.
If you are thinking about brightening your smile, contact us for a porcelain veneer consultation today!
