Veneers! Veneers! Veneers!
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are among the most popular cosmetic dental treatments today. A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell that is bonded to the front of the tooth. A patient can get a single veneer or an entire set to improve their smile. Each veneer or a whole set of veneers is custom-made and unique to each person. Dental porcelain is durable and closely mimics the translucent appearance of dental enamel. The lifespan of veneers is about ~10 years but can last longer if properly cared for.
They can be used to fix chipped, stained, misaligned, worn down, uneven, or abnormally spaced teeth. These cosmetic options may be beneficial for those who want a long-term solution to persistent cosmetic concerns and haven’t responded well to other dental treatments, such as teeth whitening, braces, or retainers.
Am I a candidate for Veneers?
- If you have restorations that are stained or have staining from both dental fillings and teeth
- If you have slight spacing or unusual chipped anatomy in your teeth
- If you have not happy with the shape, size, shade
To repair chipped or cracked teeth
To close uneven gaps between teeth
To improve the shape or size of a tooth
To mask severely stained teeth
To conceal slight tooth misalignment
- If you have the following below you might NOT be qualified for veneer
Poor oral hygiene
Excessive cavities
Gum disease
Significant tooth damage
Habitual jaw clenching
Constant teeth grinding
The Process
Getting porcelain veneers is advanced cosmetic dentistry. It requires a great deal of work and planning and should only be done by those who are truly ready to do it. The steps of the veneer process include the following:
Trimming the Enamel: At your first appointment for veneers, your dentist will trim off a small part of your tooth’s enamel. This is necessary to clear the way for the veneer. It must be able to sit back into the tooth a bit, otherwise, it won’t align with the rest of the teeth in the mouth.
Molding of the Impressions: To obtain the perfect veneer for your tooth, your dentist will have to mold impressions of your teeth. These will indicate the exact shape and size of your teeth, thus helping the manufacturer of the veneer to get the job done right.
Comparing the Color: You’ll also want your veneer to match the color of the rest of your teeth. As such, your dentist will gauge the shade of your tooth and send color information to the veneer’s manufacturer.
Fabrication of the Veneer(s): After your impressions and other dental information has been sent to the lab, the lab will work on manufacturing your veneer. During this time, you might be given a temporary veneer. Note, though, that a temporary veneer is not a certainty.
Assessing the Veneer(s): Once the veneer arrives in your dentist’s office, he or she will assess the veneer to determine whether it’s right for your teeth. Odds are, it will be. Note, though, that accidents happen.
If the veneer is determined to be appropriate, it will be bonded directly to the front of your tooth. It will then be solidified with the help of a high-powered light, ensuring that it doesn’t go anywhere in the near future.
Removal of Excess Material: In some cases, after the veneer has been inserted, there is excess material left over. If this is the case, the dentist will use a variety of tools in order to eliminate that material, thus ending the procedure.
