What to Expect in a Dental Veneers Treatment
Dental veneer treatment is a common treatment procedure in cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dentistry. It uses custom-made shells placed on the front side of teeth to improve your smile or cover a misshapen or discolored tooth.
Dental veneers in Coppell, TX, are mainly made of porcelain, making them be called porcelain veneers by some specialists. To apply a dental veneer, much tooth grinding has to be done so that the veneer perfectly fits your teeth.
However, there are options called “no-prep veneers,” which include Lumineers and Vivaneers. These options take less time and intensity to apply.
According to the American dental association, no-tooth veneers are better because instead of scraping off the tooth layers under the enamel, they only affect the enamel. They, therefore, don’t require the use of anesthetics.
What Problems Do Tooth Veneers Cover?
The dentist in Coppell, TX routinely uses veneers to fix:
- Broken teeth
- Severely discolored teeth which tooth whitening cannot work on them
- Gaps between teeth
- Undersized teeth
- Sharp and pointed teeth
- Misshapen, uneven, and misaligned teeth
Veneers are made to last for more than a decade, so depending on what type of veneers you choose, it can be a super investment for the most beautiful smile.
The Dental Veneers Procedure
Dental veneers at Compassion Smiles Dentistry require up to three trips to the dentist. One is a consultation appointment, and the other two to place the veneer. You can get veneers on one tooth or many teeth at a time.
- Diagnosis and Planning
When you get to the dentist, you will be asked whether you want to achieve by getting a veneer. Your teeth will be examined to ensure that this is the right treatment for your teeth and some of the procedure’s limits and risks. X-rays will possibly be made to take impressions of your teeth before beginning.
- Preparation
During preparation, the dentist in Coppell, TX, reshapes the tooth/teeth getting the veneer. How much they grind the tooth depends on the veneer’s shape and size to be placed on it. Your dentist will ask you if you want anesthesia in the tooth area before trimming the enamel.
Next, a model of your tooth is made then sent to the laboratory for processing of the veneer. It will take about 2-4 weeks for the veneers to be complete. You will get temporary veneers during this period to protect the trimmed teeth.
- Bonding
This third appointment is when the dentist places the veneer teeth. S/he places the veneer against your teeth to compare the shape and color to ensure they match accordingly. Your dentist will repeatedly trim and reshape the veneer to ensure it’s the perfect fit before permanently fixing it in the teeth.
To adjust the veneer color, the dentist can use a darker or lighter shade cement. S/he then prepares your tooth for veneer placement. This involves cleaning, polishing, and etching your tooth. Etching involves roughening the tooth for better veneer bonding.
A special cement is used to bond the veneer to the trimmed teeth. After proper positioning, a special light is used to activate the cement’s bonding chemicals, which makes it harden quickly.
The final step involves wiping off any excess cement and checking your bite, so they make the necessary adjustments. A follow-up appointment may be requested to check the condition of your gums and the veneer alignment.
Types of Veneers
Dental veneers are mostly made from porcelain and, at times, composite materials. Porcelain veneers are stronger and are better stain-resistant than composite veneers. Porcelain also better mimics the tooth color than resin. Composite veneers are, however, a cheaper option.
There are also no-prep veneers, which are also called Lumineers teeth. These involve less preparation on the tooth getting the veneers. Your dentist will discuss which option is the best for you.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
Veneers have the following advantages:
- They look just like your natural teeth
- Porcelain does not react with gums
- Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant
- Tooth veneers can be easily adjusted in color to make darker teeth look whiter
- They don’t require much tooth preparation like crowns, plus they are stronger and have better aesthetics.