If you’re considering dental veneers to improve the look of your smile, then you’re not alone. Cosmetic veneers transform a smile instantly – and without the addition of invasive or time-consuming treatments. It’s no wonder then that the number of people getting tooth veneers has exploded over the last decade or so.
Let’s spend some time to understand more about the veneer’s process and what it entails. Here we reveal a detailed guide on the veneers procedure and what you can expect. Let’s get started.
Veneer process at a glance
Just for quick reference, the veneers process involves three key steps, consisting of
- The consultation
- The preparation and
- The fitting
Each part of this cosmetic dental process is essential in providing a custom smile that will not only improve the way a smile looks but may also boost a person’s confidence and self-esteem. That all starts with step one.
Step 1 – The consultation
A lot can be gleaned from the initial consultation. Here at CP Dental, for example, our highly-experienced dentist will talk with you to understand your smile goals. What is it you want to achieve? Is it a more even smile or a flawless, unblemished appearance? How do you want your smile to look? Would you prefer a stand-out ‘Hollywood’ smile or something more natural?
After finding out a little more about what you want from your veneers procedure, we’ll also see whether you’re a good candidate, and that means a closer examination of your teeth and gums and possibly an x-ray or two.
Unfortunately, not everyone is an immediate candidate for dental veneers. If you currently have cavities, gum disease, or generally poor oral health, these problems must be addressed before undergoing any veneer procedure. You might also be better suited to something as simple as teeth whitening, or aligning your teeth which may give you ideal results with less cost, and ongoing maintenance. Hence a proper discussion in essential.
Let’s assume all is good with your teeth and gums and veneers are an appropriate and minimally invasive solution. What’s next in the process?
This is where it gets interesting because using the wonders of technology, you get to see exactly how your smile will look with a digital mock-up. Our dentist will ‘play’ with your smile using virtual simulation until you’re happy with the desired outcome. Once that’s done, the mock-up is signed off, and you’re ready for stage two. In many cases, beyond a digital mock up, you can also “try on” your smile in person before you commit to veneers which is very exciting and allows a proper assessment of how your teeth will look and feel (using temporary material)
Step 2 – Preparation for dental veneers
As with any veneer procedure, the tooth or teeth must be prepared before fitting. Preparation usually involves removing a sliver of your natural tooth enamel (typically around 0.5 millimetres). This is so that when dental veneers are placed on the teeth, they sit perfectly flush in the smile line for a naturally flawless look. In some cases no preparation is required at all, but everyone is different.
Don’t worry; this part of the veneers process remains comfortable as patients are given a local anaesthetic before commencing. Any sensitivity felt at this stage is usually minimal and short-lasting.
What happens next is that one of our professional lab partners (known as ceramists) fabricate your veneers from porcelain in line with the pre – determined and agreed on style.
With conventional dental veneers, impressions or typically a 3d scans are taken of the prepared teeth, and these are sent off to the dental lab, which will create your custom veneers. In many cases, the veneers process involves the fitting of temporary veneers that will be a replica of the final version.
Temporary dental veneers are designed to protect the teeth while your permanent dental veneers are being made. They may feel bulkier than their permanent counterparts, but temporaries are also a good way of trialling your new smile. This way, if you’re not entirely happy now, any adjustments can be made in real-time before your permanent dental veneers are attached. Our veneers, for example, are made by a trusted dental lab here in Queensland. They can be dazzling white, or have natural translucent character or surface texture. This is essential to discuss with the dentist who then communicates this with the lab.
Step 3 – Dental veneers – The final fitting
It’s important to know that tooth veneers are made from dental porcelain.
Porcelain veneers can resist stains, are incredibly durable, and mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth.
So once the permanent veneers have been made, they can be appropriately attached to the teeth.
So how does this part of the veneers process work?
Firstly any temporaries are removed from the teeth, and an etching gel is applied to the tooth’s front surface. This is to roughen up the front of the tooth so the dental veneer bonds better. Then the permanent veneer or veneers are checked for colour match and size and attached to the teeth with a secure bonding agent. The bonding or glueing is a very reliable process but it can be very time consuming to do it properly.
Once attached, your mouth is checked for bite, and any final adjustments are made. Remember, permanent dental veneers should not move or shift on the teeth, but edges may be reduced or refined for better comfort as part of the veneer process.
Aside from an instant smile, the main advantage of undergoing a veneers procedure is that there is no downtime. You may, however, feel some slight sensitivity for a few days, but other than that, you should be ready to flash your new and improved smile.
So, there you have it, the veneers process in a nutshell. If you want to find out more about getting dental veneers or you’re ready to undergo the veneers procedure, get in touch with the team at CP Dental. We’ll work closely with you to deliver the smile you’ve always wanted. Get in touch today and select a CP Dental clinic near you.
References
The Atlantic.com – Why Does Everyone Suddenly Have Fancy Fake Teeth
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/02/dental-veneers-instagram-teeth-teeth-teeth/582010
