Veneers
Unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? Chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth can detract from an otherwise lovely smile. Veneers can restore your teeth’s vibrancy and transform your smile.
A beautiful smile can significantly impact how you look and feel. We provide a full range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to help you achieve the confident smile you desire. Our process starts with a comprehensive smile assessment, where we discuss what you like and dislike about your smile. After completing the assessment, we’ll explore treatment options to make your smile appear more natural, healthy, and youthful.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are one of the most conservative restoration options available. They are thin layers of porcelain that are placed over the front surface of a tooth. We use porcelain because its color can be adjusted to closely match your natural teeth. Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, veneers involve minimal enamel removal, preserving most of your original tooth structure. Instead of replacing the entire tooth, a veneer provides a “new face” for it. Due to their minimally invasive nature, veneers are a key component of cosmetic dentistry.
The process of getting a veneer typically requires two appointments. During the first visit, the dentist prepares your tooth for the veneer. A couple of weeks later, the veneer is permanently bonded to your tooth.
Procedure Overview
- The dental veneer process starts with the dentist removing a small amount of enamel from the front of your tooth—usually less than a millimeter. Depending on the amount of enamel that needs to be removed, local anesthesia might not be necessary. Since veneers bond better with the outer layer of the tooth, the dentist aims to remove as little enamel as possible. A rotating tool called a dental bur is used to gently shave down the tooth’s surface.
- After the tooth has been prepared, an impression (or mold) of your teeth is taken. This impression is sent to a lab where your custom veneer is crafted to fit seamlessly with your smile. To ensure a precise impression, the dentist uses a small retraction cord to temporarily move your gums away from the tooth. Once the impression is taken, your gum line will return to its original position. The final step involves biting into a tray filled with paste to create a mold of your teeth, which takes a few minutes to set.
- Once the mold is ready, any necessary adjustments are made before sending it to the dental lab. It typically takes a couple of weeks to receive your permanent veneer. During this waiting period, a temporary veneer may be placed over the prepared tooth, though this is only necessary if a significant amount of enamel was removed, leaving the tooth sensitive or vulnerable.
- At your final appointment, the personalized veneer is attached. The dentist may make further adjustments to ensure it looks and feels perfect. If you have any concerns about the appearance or comfort of your smile at this stage, please let us know! We want you to be completely satisfied with the outcome.
- Once all adjustments are complete, the dentist applies bonding cement to your tooth and secures the veneer using a special blue light that hardens the cement. After a final check to confirm the fit is snug and comfortable, you’re all set!
You’ll receive specific care instructions for your new veneer, including which foods to avoid. If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard may be recommended. Following these guidelines will help extend the life of your veneer, which can last over ten years. Contact us to learn how veneers can enhance your smile.