How Porcelain Veneers are Applied

In the interest of educating patients about ceramic (porcelain) veneers, this article describes, in detail, the process of having veneers placed on the teeth.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain is a ceramic material. Properties associated with porcelain include strength, durability, whiteness and translucence. This makes porcelain a very good substitute for enamel, which is the hardest substance made by the human body. Enamel, of course, is what covers your teeth naturally. Extremely thin slips of porcelain can be shaped to be fit and bonded to the front of a tooth.

Who would be a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Any person who doesn’t like the look of their smile, but has otherwise healthy teeth, is a candidate for veneers. A veneer can fix problems like permanently stained or discolored teeth, minor chips, misalignments, and rough surfaces. Whether through heredity or accident, if your teeth aren’t picture perfect, you might be a candidate for veneers.

Step One: Preparing the Teeth for Veneers

Upon deciding with your dentist that veneers are a good option for you, an appointment will be made to prepare your teeth for veneer adhesion. The dentist will begin by scraping away an extremely thin layer of the tooth’s enamel, usually .5 to .7 millimeters, depending on the type of correction being made. This little-invasive procedure is typically painless, but your dentist can help you decide if you need local anesthetic for the procedure.

By scraping away some of the tooth’s enamel, the dentist is making room for the veneer which will cover the tooth. This way the tooth does not become bulky and feel awkward in your mouth. As well, this prepares the surface of the tooth for ideal bonding.

Once the tooth is scraped and shaped, if necessary, a dental putty will be used to make an impression of your mouth. This impression will be sent to the dental laboratory where veneers will be crafted to fit your teeth. You can expect to have your veneers back within a week or two.

Step Two: Applying the Veneers

On your second visit, the dentist will probably spend a considerable amount of time making sure the veneers fit perfectly. This may involve trimming the veneer and, in some cases, further trimming or shaping of the tooth being covered. The dentist might use temporary cement during this process so that you can view the veneer and assure you are happy with it, as well. Once bonded, the veneer is permanent, so make sure you are happy with everything from the look and fit to the color of your veneer.

When it is time to cement the veneer on to the tooth, your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned. An acidic etching solution, a standard dental procedure, will be applied to the surface to assure that bonding can take place. The cement will be placed on the veneer and the veneer put into place. A special curing light will activate compounds in the cement that will make it adhere almost instantly.

>From there, all that is left is a final cleaning and polishing of the tooth. The dentist may need to trim any excess cement that has squeezed out from around the veneer. Your bite will be checked for proper fit and to assure that there are no alignment problems that will cause damage to the veneer.

Most dentists will want to see you after a couple of weeks to assure that you are adjusting well to the veneer placements.

Treatment and Care after Veneer Placements

Porcelain veneers require no special care, though you are encouraged to exercise caution when biting hard things. Don’t chew ice, for instance, and avoid biting your nails, pencil tips, etc. If you have a tendency to clinch or grind your teeth, you will want to break that habit prior to getting veneers. If you are a nighttime grinder, talk to your dentist about a plastic mouth guard that will help protect your veneers and the rest of your teeth, as well.

Though they are cosmetic, veneers need not be an expensive treatment. Most general dentists provide veneer services and will be happy to talk with you about your options. You can have healthy teeth as well as attractive teeth. Don’t delay, talk to your dentist about this painless, smile enhancing procedure, today.