Teeth veneers are thin, custom porcelain or composite resin shells placed onto your teeth’ front surface. They are used to improve the appearance of your teeth, covering up flaws such as severe discolouration, chips, gaps, and slightly crooked teeth. Dental veneers are designed to blend seamlessly with your actual teeth, giving you a natural and radiant smile.
Importance of having a beautiful smile
Having a beautiful smile is not only important for your self-esteem but also for your overall health.
A dazzling smile can make you look more approachable, trustworthy, and confident.
Additionally, taking care of your teeth by brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups can prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and even heart disease.
Step 1: Consultation and Planning
Finding a reputable cosmetic dentist
An important part of the veneers process is finding a reputable cosmetic dentist with experience. Look for a dentist with a good reputation and specialises in cosmetic dentistry. Check out their website, social media channels, and online reviews to understand their work, experience, and patient satisfaction. You can also ask friends, family, or your regular dentist for recommendations.
Initial consultation with the dentist
You will discuss your goals and concerns with your cosmetic dentist during the initial consultation. Having an open and honest conversation about what you want to achieve with the procedure and understanding what results you can expect is essential. The dentist will evaluate your current oral health, examine your teeth and gums, and take X-rays and impressions of your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for veneers.
Discussion of goals and expectations
Discussing your goals and expectations will help the dentist plan the right treatment for you.
Tell your dentist what you like about your smile and what you want to improve.
Be clear about your goals, and be open to your dentist’s recommendations. You can discuss the best approach to transform your smile and address your cosmetic dental issues.
Examination of the teeth and gums
The dentist will examine your teeth and gums to evaluate your oral health and dental issues. They will look for signs of decay, gum disease, or other oral health problems that must be treated before starting the veneer process. The dentist will also check the overall structure of your teeth to ensure that the veneers will fit well and not affect the functionality of your teeth.
X-rays and impressions of the teeth
X-rays and impressions of your teeth are taken to help plan the veneer process. The dentist will use X-rays to evaluate the condition of your teeth beneath the surface and identify any potential issues. The impressions allow the dentist to create custom porcelain veneers that fit your teeth precisely. Temporary veneers may be applied to your teeth as temporary placeholders until the final custom porcelain veneers are ready.
Step 2: Preparation
Removal of a Thin Layer of Enamel from the Teeth
The first step in tooth preparation for veneers is removing a thin layer of enamel from the surfaces of the teeth that the veneers will cover. This is typically done under local anaesthesia to ensure patient comfort. The amount of enamel removed is minimal, typically between 0.5 and 1.0 millimetres, and is necessary to ensure that the veneers fit properly and look natural.
Impression of the Teeth to Send to the Dental Lab
Once the enamel has been removed, the dentist will take an impression of the teeth using dental putty or digital scanning technology. This impression is sent to a dental lab where custom porcelain veneers are created to fit the exact specifications of the patient’s teeth. Depending on the case’s complexity, the veneers may take several weeks to be fabricated.
Temporary Veneers Placement
While the permanent veneers are being fabricated, the dentist will place temporary veneers on the prepared teeth to protect them and to give the patient an idea of how the final result will look. Temporary veneers are usually made of acrylic or composite resin and are less strong or durable than the custom porcelain veneers that will be placed later.
Step 3: Creation of Permanent Veneers
The dental lab creates permanent veneers: Once your dentist has completed the tooth preparation and taken an impression of your teeth, they will send it to a dental lab. The lab will use this impression to create custom porcelain or composite veneers that match the shape and size of your actual teeth. The technician in the lab will carefully craft each veneer to ensure it fits perfectly onto the surface of your tooth.
The length of the process depends on the lab’s location: Creating custom porcelain veneers tends to take longer since they require more steps and often involve sending the impression to an offsite laboratory. Typically, the lab takes a few weeks to create your permanent veneers. However, composite veneers can be made in the dentist’s office. The process can be completed in a single visit, making them a popular choice for quick and affordable solutions.
The dentist will ensure a match in colour, shape, and size: Once your permanent veneers are ready, your dentist will carefully check that they match the colour, body, and size of your natural teeth. They do this by holding them up against your teeth and making the necessary adjustments to ensure the veneers fit perfectly.
Once the fit is confirmed, your dentist will use dental cement to apply your veneers to your natural tooth structure.
Step 4: Fitting and Bonding
Removal of temporary veneers: Temporary veneers are placed on your teeth during the tooth preparation stage and serve as a prototype for your final veneers. During the fitting phase, your dentist will remove the temporary veneers, exposing your actual teeth. This ensures that the final veneers fit perfectly on your teeth.
Permanent veneers are placed on teeth for fitting: Once the temporary veneers are removed, your dentist will put them on your teeth to check their fit. At this stage, it is essential to ensure that each veneer fits correctly and matches your natural teeth’ size, shape, and colour.
Veneers are adjusted to ensure proper fit: The next step is adjusting the veneers to ensure a good fit. Your dentist may need to make minor changes to the veneers’ shape and size to ensure they fit precisely. This is important for achieving a natural-looking result.
Cleaning teeth before bonding: After ensuring the veneers fit correctly, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth. This is done to remove any debris or bacteria that could interfere with the bonding process.
Veneers attached with a special dental cement: Once your teeth are clean, a special dental cement is used to attach the veneers to your natural tooth structure. The cement is hardened using a bonding light, ensuring the veneers are securely in place.
Final adjustment and polishing of the veneers: The last step involves making final adjustments and polishing them to achieve a natural and beautiful look. After the veneers are polished, your dentist will check your bite and ensure everything feels comfortable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, taking good care of veneers is crucial for extending their lifespan. Oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing, flossing, and avoiding abrasive substances are essential to maintaining veneers. Investing in custom porcelain veneers is a great way to enhance your smile; however, it’s vital to consider the cost and the process involved in getting them. Before opting for veneers, a dental veneers procedure is necessary to check whether you qualify for veneers or dental crowns. The veneer’s cost can be high, but its transformative impact is priceless. Remember, veneers are meant to enhance your natural teeth, not replace them, so it’s vital to maintain your natural tooth structure during the tooth preparation process. In summary, cosmetic dentistry, including veneers, is an excellent way to fix slightly crooked teeth or any other dental issue. So, go ahead and enhance your smile; our experienced dental team at Finesse Dental can help! Contact us today on (02) 8806 0790 to book your first appointment.
References
Porcelain for veneers https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9893514/
Fracture strength of different veneers on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) frameworks in implant-supported single crowns https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35986930/
