The Procedure for Getting Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are a cosmetic dentistry treatment used as an alternative to teeth whitening or bleaching.

The most common type of veneers I use are the Cerec E-Max. They are very strong and there is no lab fee as I create the veneers in-office with my Cerec unit. Most often, we can do your veneers the same day. However in some cases, it will take 2-to-3 days depending on your situation.

The other type of porcelain veneers I use, Lumineers, are contact-lens thin and custom-made with tooth-colored materials. They are designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance.

Both types of veneers have the capacity to change tooth color, shape, size, and even length. And, both resist stains better than many other type of porcelain veneers and they are better at mimicking the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.

I use veneers routinely to fix:

Discolored teeth.
Teeth that are worn down.
Chipped or cracked teeth.
Teeth that are uneven, or mis-aligned.
Teeth with gaps.

The procedure for getting dental veneers is pretty straightforward. It involves the following three steps:

Diagnosis: During this appointment I will examine your teeth to make sure veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. I also may take X-rays and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.

Preparation: To prepare a tooth for a veneer, I will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. Next, I will make a model or impression of your tooth. I can then proceed with creating your veneers with my Cerec unit. If these will be Lumineer veneers, this model is sent out to a dental lab, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for me to receive the Lumineer veneers back from the lab.

Bonding: Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, I will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. I will remove and trim the veneer as needed to achieve the proper fit; the veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched — which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly position on the tooth, I will apply a special light beam to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary.

I may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer’s placement.

Are you a candidate for veneers? Give us a call to schedule a consultation!