If you don’t have a naturally attractive smile or your teeth have been damaged by poor oral hygiene, bad habits, or injury, you can drastically transform your appearance with the help of your cosmetic dentist. Porcelain veneers improve the color, size, shape, and proportion of your teeth by instantly covering a variety of imperfections using only one treatment. You will need to bond them to your teeth, so it’s normal to have questions about the process before committing to it. Here’s what you can expect when attaching veneers to your teeth.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are custom-made thin shells bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to improve their overall appearance. Although they have a bad reputation for creating a Chicklet-looking smile, porcelain allows veneers to be thinner. This makes the procedure less invasive while creating natural-looking results.
Veneers can be used to resolve several issues, such as:
- Dark tooth discoloration or stains.
- Chipped or cracked teeth.
- Shorter than average or abnormally shaped teeth.
- Minor gaps between teeth.
- Minor alignment issues.
How are Veneers Bonded to the Teeth?
Porcelain veneers are effective in resolving a variety of aesthetic concerns using one treatment, but it’s a big investment. Your enamel is etched, and a special dental cement is used to bond the veneers to your teeth. Often, it takes two appointments to complete the entire process.
What Can I Expect with Porcelain Veneers?
After an initial consultation to ensure you’re a candidate for veneers, you’re scheduled for the first phase of your treatment. Your teeth are cleaned before dental instruments are used to remove a small amount of enamel. This is necessary for your veneers to sit flush for a natural-looking smile. Once your teeth are prepared, your dentist will take a digital impression of your mouth. The scan integrates with elite technology to design your new smile. The dental lab will create them to meet your exact specifications. This can take a couple of weeks, so you will need temporary veneers in the meantime.
Once your final veneers are ready, you’ll return to your dentist’s office to have them bonded in place. After your permanent veneers are removed, a special dental cement is placed on your teeth. The veneers are positioned before a dental light is used to quickly cure the cement.
Your veneers will be durable to withstand everyday chewing. With the right aftercare, your new smile can last for a decade or longer.
Invest in an Attractive Smile
Veneers are an excellent option to achieve the smile of your dreams. You can chew, speak, and smile confidently knowing your veneers will look natural and stay firmly in place.
About Dr. Dennis E. Stansbury
Dr. Dennis Stanbury has been in the dental field for over 44 years. He is supported by extensive qualifications and experience to provide advanced dental solutions. Besides general dentistry, he also offers many specialty services, like cosmetic procedures. If you’re interested in veneers, Dr. Stansbury can help. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation.