A step-by-step overview of the preparation and placement of veneers for your teeth
Veneers have increasingly become the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure in recent years. Propelled by the desire to have the perfect set of teeth instantly, patients have increasingly started opting for perfect smile veneers made of porcelain or, in some cases, no-prep veneers or Lumineers. Thanks to veneers, you can instantly conceal all the cosmetic flaws in your smile to achieve the perfect set of teeth. Your dentist works with you to construct the ideal set of teeth that compliment your overall facial structure, giving you a Hollywood smile.
When it comes to getting dental veneers, you may wonder what to expect from the procedure. The entire dental veneers process can be completed within three sessions, and sometimes even earlier. That’s a lot less than the amount of time you’d spend on orthodontic treatments, such as Invisalign and many other dental procedures. The entire process may take around one month, depending on the number of front teeth veneers you’re getting. Below, we provide a step-by-step overview of the preparation and placement of veneers for your teeth.
Step 1: Planning
During the first dental veneer appointment, the dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your goals and objectives, and run some tests to determine if you have underlying health conditions. Dental veneers only address cosmetic concerns, so you can’t get them if you have oral conditions, such as gum disease and misaligned teeth. The dentist will also take pictures of your teeth, impressions, and x-rays, following which they’ll curate a personalized dental veneers treatment plan. The dentist will keep discussing your goals to design the ideal veneers.
Step 2: Temporary Veneers
During the second appointment, you will receive the temporary veneers. The temporary veneers will be made out of liquid composite, and you’ll have to wear them for several days to ensure you like the look. At this stage, your teeth will be filed down for veneers. The dentist will trim 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters off your teeth to accommodate the permanent porcelain veneers. After filing down your enamel, the dentist will attach the temporary veneers, which will allow you to “test” the upcoming veneers and provide any opinions on adjustments.
Step 3: Permanent Veneers
During the third (and usually final) appointment, the dentist will provide the final veneers. The dentist will place the veneers over your teeth to make slight adjustments to them to ensure optimal appearance. Once the dentist is happy with the shape and shade of the veneers, they will etch your teeth to roughen their surface and apply dental cement. The dental bond and ultraviolet light will allow the veneers to harden against your teeth, following which extra dental cement can be removed. You can now walk out of the dental clinic with the perfect smile!
What are the types of veneers?
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding isn’t exactly a type of dental veneer, but it can be used as an alternative in some cases. Composite bonding is a procedure wherein bonding material is painted over the front face of your teeth. This method allows the dentist to improve minor cosmetic flaws without making large adjustments. If you have a minor crack or chip on a tooth, for example, the dentist can conceal it using a composite resin bonding material, which is simply painted over your tooth. This procedure doesn’t involve getting your teeth filed down, so it’s more conservative.
No-Prep Veneers
No-prep veneers are ultra-thin dental veneers, such as Lumineers, that are like contact lenses for your teeth. These veneers are the thickness of contact lenses, so they can be attached to the front face of your teeth without any adjustment. The dentist doesn’t have to shave off the enamel from your teeth — the Lumineers are simply attached to your teeth. However, this technique isn’t suitable for major cosmetic problems and flaws, and it has its limitations in terms of teeth whitening. Your dentist will determine if you’re eligible for Lumineers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most popular and effective dental veneers available. These are dental veneers made of porcelain, one of the most natural-looking materials available. The dentist shaves off some of the enamel from the front face of your teeth to attach the porcelain veneers. These are stain-resistant veneers because porcelain is a non-porous material, so it won’t get discolored over time. Porcelain veneers generally last 15 years or more with optimal maintenance and care. Please get in touch with your cosmetic dentist about porcelain veneers.
Should I choose composite bonding or porcelain veneers?
You can opt for composite bonding if you want to conceal small, minor cosmetic flaws, such as minor chips and cracks on some teeth. However, if you want to address several cosmetic flaws, such as teeth discoloration, chipped teeth, cracked teeth, minor misalignment, and other problems, you should go for porcelain veneers.
Why do I need dental veneers?
You should get porcelain veneers if you want to instantly address cosmetic concerns related to your smile. Porcelain veneers can be used for teeth whitening, minor straightening, concealing chips and cracks, and improving the overall appearance of your teeth, making them look straighter, whiter, and more uniform.
Get veneers for your teeth in Miami, Florida
Sunny Isles Dental is a luxurious dental clinic specializing in the latest cosmetic dental procedures, including dental veneers. Our cosmetic dentists design the perfect set of teeth for you, whether you want front four teeth veneers or veneers for crooked teeth. Please schedule an appointment to explore your dental veneer options in Sunny Isles Beach, FL.
