The Comprehensive Porcelain Veneers Process
Porcelain veneers are thin wafers of tooth-shaped and tooth-colored porcelain attached to the front face of your teeth. They essentially replace the enamel of your teeth, thus transforming the external appearance of your teeth. If you’re dissatisfied with the shape, shade, color, size, or general appearance of your teeth, you can get dental veneers to achieve the perfect Hollywood smile. It’s worth noting that dental veneers conceal your existing cosmetic concerns — they don’t address the root cause of your concerns. As such, porcelain veneers are only suitable for cosmetic purposes.
The entire porcelain veneers process is usually broken down into two sessions. The first dental veneers session involves a consultation, taking impressions, and veneer preparation, and the second dental veneers session involves bonding the veneers to your teeth. Porcelain veneers are usually attached after shaving off some of the enamel from your teeth, so the procedure is irreversible. Once you get porcelain veneers, you’ll always need porcelain veneers. However, each veneer lasts for up to 15 years, so you’ll need to replace them every 10 to 15 years.
If you’re getting veneers in Miami, FL, you may have questions about the dental veneers procedure. Below, we provide a detailed guide to the steps of dental veneers in Miami.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, the cosmetic dentist will carefully examine your teeth, discuss your goals, and determine if you’re a suitable candidate for dental veneers. You can only get porcelain veneers if you have optimal oral health without active cavities or gum disease. The dentist will also discuss your cosmetic dentistry options and help you select the ideal shape, size, and shade of dental veneers. The cosmetic dentist will offer guidance to help you select the ideal dental veneers according to your goals and facial anatomy.
Step 2: Veneer Preparation
Your dentist will trim away some of the enamel from the surface of your teeth. The dentist will shave the same depth of enamel as the depth of the veneers being placed, thus ensuring the thickness of your teeth remains the same. This step might be performed under local anesthesia, but there’s no risk of pain even without anesthesia because the enamel doesn’t contain nerve endings. Some types of dental veneers necessitate minimal (or no) veneer preparation — your dentist will discuss the viability of those options for you.
Step 3: Impression Taking
After preparing your teeth for dental veneers, the dentist will use a shade guide to note the shade of your existing teeth. If you’re getting veneers for only one or a few teeth, the dentist will match the colors of the veneers to the surrounding teeth. However, if you’re getting a complete set of veneers for all visible teeth, the dentist will help you select the ideal shade to achieve a bright smile. The dentist will also use a dental mold to take impressions of your teeth and bite, which will be sent to the dental laboratory.
Step 4: Temporary Veneers
After taking impressions of your teeth, the dentist will send the dental mold to the dental laboratory. The laboratory may take 1 to 2 weeks to prepare the final dental veneers. If the dentist has trimmed a large volume of enamel from your teeth, they may recommend temporary veneers to minimize the risk of sensitivity. If it’s deemed to be necessary, the dentist will attach temporary veneers to your teeth until you receive the permanent veneers.
Step 5: Dental Bonding
Once the permanent dental veneers are prepared, the dentist will place them on your teeth to ensure they’re perfectly designed. In some cases, the dentist may adjust the shape and size of the veneers. Your teeth will be polished and etched, following which you’ll receive the permanent porcelain veneers — the veneers will be bonded using dental cement. The dentist will make some final adjustments to the veneers to ensure an optimal cosmetic appearance. The process should conclude within an hour.
Porcelain Veneers FAQs
When do I need dental veneers?
You may need dental veneers if you’re dissatisfied or self-conscious about the cosmetic appearance of your smile. You can get dental veneers to address numerous issues, such as misalignment, crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, intrinsic stains, discoloration, improperly proportioned teeth, and more.
What can I expect after the procedure is completed?
If you receive around four veneers, you won’t experience any pain or discomfort after the procedure. However, if you get veneers for all or most of your teeth, you may experience gum soreness and jaw pains after the procedure. You can reduce discomfort with over-the-counter pain medications.
Can porcelain veneers be a lifetime treatment?
Porcelain veneers last 10 to 15 years, though optimal oral health and hygiene can increase their longevity to 20 years or more. You may have to replace the veneers every decade or so, but the procedure is considered to be permanent because your original enamel has to be trimmed away, so you’ll always need veneers.
Am I a good candidate for dental veneers?
You’re a good candidate for dental veneers if you want to address the following cosmetic concerns: misalignment, gaps between the teeth, discoloration, chips, and cracks, or other cosmetic problems. However, you must have optimal oral health without active cavities or gum disease.
What kind of veneers are best?
Porcelain veneers are the best type of dental veneers because porcelain resembles the shade and texture of natural enamel. It’s also translucent, just like enamel, and reflects light in a similar manner. As such, porcelain veneers look indistinguishable from natural teeth. Porcelain is also stainless, so you don’t have to worry about discoloration.
Best Dental Veneers Near Me
Sunny Isles Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in a wide range of cosmetic dental procedures, including dental veneers. If you’re dissatisfied with the cosmetic appearance of your teeth, please contact our cosmetic dentists in Sunny Isles Beach, FL, or Wilton Manors, FL.
