What to Expect When Seeing a Veneers Dentist

As a veneers dentist, we can transform and restore damaged teeth.  Dental veneers are typically a wafer-thin piece of porcelain that is adhered to the tooth or teeth, in order to correct a number of dental problems. These small, brittle, pieces of porcelain have given us the advantage we need when it comes to fixing chipped teeth, unsightly spacing between teeth, and even slightly misaligned teeth. To some it may seem fantastic that something so tiny can have such a huge impact on everything we do, but when you consider that enamel is also extremely brittle and yet bears all the load of chewing, one cannot help but be amazed at the strength and resilience of the tooth structure. The porcelain dental veneer, not being a naturally occurring substance will need to be cemented to the tooth so that it gains this strength and durability. Once it is adhered properly, a veneer can be as long lasting as a natural tooth and requires the same level of maintenance.

The dental veneer is not only an effective way of repairing teeth, it is also one of the most inconspicuous ways of doing so. Matched carefully, your dental veneer will have the same color as the teeth surrounding it, even down to the shading. Most people cannot even tell which tooth has the veneer after it has been attached. The process of attaching it is known as bonding, where we use a dental cement to adhere the veneer to the tooth. However, before you make it to bonding, you will need to go through several additional steps to make sure it fits and looks perfect. Typically these can be completed in two visits though sometimes additional visits may be required. The first visit is a preparatory visit when we prepare your teeth for the dental veneer, and the second is an installation visit where we actually attach the veneer.

Preparing for Dental Veneers  During your visit, we will need to make a dental impression of the tooth by using impression putty. The putty forms a perfect impression which allows the lab to fabricate an exact replica in the form of a veneer.  During this visit, we will also match the color of the teeth to a shade card for a perfect look. In order to prepare the tooth for dental veneers, we will have to trim some of the enamel. This trimming allows the dental veneer to fit onto the tooth seamlessly without affecting the bite at all. Often times there is a minimal amount of trimming needed, typically between 0.5 millimeters and 0.7 millimeters though how much needs to be removed is different for each patient.  As a veneers dentist, we will attach a temporary veneer after your tooth has been prepared in order to protect it.

Installing the Dental Veneers  The second visit takes place after the veneers have been fabricated at the laboratory. During this visit, we will need to fit the veneers. In order to do this, we will place them, remove them, trim and shape them, and then replace them until we are satisfied that they are a perfect fit and ready for cementing. As a veneers dentist, we are meticulous at ensuring that every detail of the veneer is perfect before you leave our office.