Dental veneers, also called porcelain veneers, are shells that are custom made with tooth-colored material and aim to cover the front surface of your teeth. Veneers are bonded to your teeth, improving their appearance by changing their shape, color, size, or length. The procedure for getting veneers includes the following steps.
Book an Appointment
The first step involves an appointment with your dentist to explain the results you hope to achieve and find out if dental veneers are right for you. Gum disease, misaligned teeth, or the need for a root canal, among other issues, may make you ineligible for permanent veneers. If you are not qualified to use permanent veneers, you can opt for temporary veneers. They are less expensive, and you can slip them over your existing teeth allowing you to avoid invasive dental procedures.
Teeth Trimming
During your next visit, the dentist will trim your teeth to about the same thickness as the veneers you will have installed. In instances where the teeth have decayed, the dentist will trim them more extensively. The shape attained with the trimming aims to hide where your veneers meet with your teeth. The trimming is mainly limited to the enamel of the tooth as the bond created is more secure; however, the dentist may extend into the tooth’s dentin layer.
Creating a Gum and Teeth Impression
After selecting the correct shade of porcelain, the dentist will impression your gum and teeth, allowing the lab to fabricate veneers which takes up to two weeks. They could use impression paste, a goo squished over your teeth, and is allowed to sit until it sets, providing a mold used to fabricate veneers. They could also place a retraction cord to push away the gum and remove it immediately before taking the impression. Another method used is a milling machine combined with a camera that takes your impression optically; the machine then grinds your veneers from a block of ceramic in minutes.
Temporary Fix
For instances where the dentist shaved off a relative amount of teeth structure, they may place a temporary veneer in place. Dentists frequently use a mold filled with plastic and slip it over your teeth. This mold is processed before your trimming appointment as it takes time to create it.
Color, Fit and Shape Evaluation
During your next visit, the dentist will evaluate the way the veneers sit on your teeth. If they don’t fit correctly, they will trim them until they are perfect. If you do not like the shape accomplished by the lab or milling machine, the dentist can complete the changes before installing them. They can fine-tune the shade of the trial paste to the color of your teeth as the trial paste helps the dentist find the right shade of cement to use. Once the dentist accomplishes the right shape and color, they will clean off the trial paste and polish your teeth’ surface.
Setting the Veneers
The final step of the procedure involves etching the tooth with an acid etching gel for 15 to 20 seconds. This process creates a rough enamel surface that bonds with the veneer’s cement. The dentist will then clean off the etching gel and apply a layer of bonding agent, creating an actual bond with the already etched teeth surfaces. The dentist then places cement inside the veneers and squishes them into place. A curing light is shined on your teeth, activating a catalyst in the cement and bonding agent, causing the permanent veneers to set in a minute.
Advantages of Veneers
Dental veneers are a good fit for dental issues because they provide a natural appearance to your teeth and last for up to 15 years. You also have the option of selecting a color that whitens your teeth, and veneers are also stronger than crowns. Porcelain is resistant to stains making this procedure advantageous. They also do not require any special care, and you should observe your regular oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice a day and flossing.
With the right specialist, you can achieve your dream smile with this procedure. It is, therefore, a worthwhile investment if you are trying to achieve the perfect smile.
