Porcelain Veneers
They are more commonly known as dental veneers, but porcelain veneers are wafer-thin custom colored shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth to help improve its appearance. They are bonded to the front of the teeth for a more beautiful smile.
Reason for Veneers
- For teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken
- For teeth with gaps in between them
- For teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or misshaped
- Cosmetically, to create a uniform, white, perfect smile
Process
The first step is a diagnosis appointment with your dentist on what are the results you are looking to achieve. The dentist might also have an examination of your teeth as well as x-rays to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for veneers.
Next, we will need to prepare your teeth for a veneer. This requires us to numb your mouth as we take away about ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface. Once this is done, your dentist will make impressions of your teeth to be sent off to a dental laboratory where your veneers will be constructed. It takes between 1-2 weeks for us to get the veneers back.
Before the bonding process begins, we will do a trial fit to inspect the fit and color of the veneers adjusting them for the perfect fit. Once this is done, your teeth will be cleaned, polished, and etched roughing up your teeth allowing for stronger attachment to the veneers.
Once properly positioned, we will apply a special light beam to the veneers, activating the cement chemical that starts the bonding process between your teeth and the veneers. After removing all the excess cement, we will check your bite once more before you are good to go. We also suggest a follow-up appointment to see how you are feeling after a couple of weeks and make sure we fix any problems you may have.
Facts about Veneers
- The process is not reversible.
- Porcelain veneers are stain resistant
- Veneers last between 5 to 10 years depending on how they are taken care of.