Lucky you, you’re getting dental veneers. To get a dental veneer you’ll probably require a couple of visits. Here is what you can expect during a typical veneer preparation and installation procedure.
A dental veneer is a layer of material placed over a tooth. It is a thin shield of porcelain that is used to cover the front surface of a tooth. Veneers are designed as a permanent way to change or enhance the look of stained, chipped, broken, or undesired teeth. Veneers improve the aesthetics of a smile and/or protect the tooth’s surface from damage.
There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer: composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental lab, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement.
A porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated. A full veneer crown is described as “a restoration that covers all the coronal tooth surfaces (Mesial, Distal, Facial, Lingual and Occlusal.). Laminate veneer, on the other hand, is a thin layer that covers only the surface of the tooth and generally used for aesthetic purposes. These typically have better performance and aesthetics and are less plaque retentive.
The biggest benefit to veneers is improving the appearance of your teeth, giving you a brighter and more even smile. Dental veneers are often used to treat the following cosmetic occurrences:
Veneers can last for more than a decade, depending on the type of veneer you choose, making them a semi -permanent investment that can make you more confident in your smile.
Before you get your veneers, you’ll have a preliminary appointment with your Forest & Ray dentist to discuss which options are right for you and how many veneers you want to have placed. In some cases, if teeth are crooked or uneven, you may need to have braces before our dentist can place the veneers.
We will often take X-rays at this stage to evaluate your teeth’s health. They’ll look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or the need for root canals. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be a candidate for veneers. To get accurate sizing for your veneers, at the next appointment, your Forest & Ray expert dentist trims down about a half a millimetre of your tooth (we remove the enamel using a grinding tool) before they take a mould (impression) of your teeth. This mould is then sent off to the lab for the creation of your veneers.
The excitement of getting your veneers is growing but be patient—it won’t be long now. It typically takes between one and two weeks after your dentist creates your mould to get your veneers back from the lab. Once your veneers are in, you can schedule an appointment to have them placed. At this appointment, our dentist evaluates the fit, shape, and coloration of the veneers to make sure they’re perfect for you and that you are happy with the choice of shade.
Next, your dentist thoroughly cleans your teeth. This is important, as it keeps bacteria from being trapped under the veneer and causing decay. After they do this, they use the grinding tool to create a rougher texture on each tooth on which a veneer is to be applied. This makes it easier for the veneer to stick to the tooth. Our dentist then uses dental cement to bond the veneer to the tooth. They’ll use ultraviolet light to harden this cement quickly, and once you leave our office, your new smile is ready to go! And we can chalk up one more satisfied Forest & Ray patient and the continuance of a great patient/dentist relationship!
