Enhance Your Smile with Dental Veneers
If you're dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, whether they're chipped, stained, or misshapen, dental veneers can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted. Veneers can rejuvenate your smile by enhancing its natural beauty, ultimately boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
A radiant smile can significantly impact both your appearance and self-confidence. We offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry treatments to help you reach your smile goals. Our process begins with a comprehensive smile assessment, during which we’ll discuss the aspects of your smile that you’d like to improve. Once we understand your goals, we'll explore treatment options that will give you a youthful, natural, and healthy-looking smile.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a popular, conservative cosmetic solution designed to improve the appearance of your teeth. Made from thin, durable layers of porcelain, veneers are placed over the front of your teeth. The porcelain material is carefully color-matched to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, ensuring a beautiful and realistic look. Unlike crowns, which cover the entire tooth, veneers require minimal removal of enamel, preserving most of the original tooth structure. This makes veneers a less invasive option that provides a "new face" for your teeth without extensive alteration.
Procedure Overview: Steps to Getting Dental Veneers
The process of getting dental veneers typically involves a few simple steps spread across two appointments.
- The dental veneer procedure starts with the dentist removing a small amount of enamel from the front of your tooth (usually less than one millimeter). Depending on the amount of enamel to be removed, local anesthesia may not be necessary. The dentist uses a dental bur, a rotating tool, to gently shave down the surface of the tooth to prepare it for the veneer.
- Once the tooth is prepared, an impression or mold of your teeth is taken. This mold is sent to a lab where a custom veneer will be created to fit your smile. To ensure the best mold, the dentist may use a small retraction cord to temporarily move the gums away from the tooth. After the impression is taken, you will bite into a tray filled with paste to make the mold. This process takes a few minutes, so please be patient.
- Once the mold is ready, the dentist sends it to a lab to create your permanent veneer. This process can take a couple of weeks. During this time, a temporary veneer may be placed to protect the prepared tooth. Temporary veneers are usually needed when a larger amount of enamel is removed, leaving the tooth more sensitive or vulnerable to damage.
- At your follow-up appointment, the dentist will attach your custom veneer. The fit will be checked, and any necessary adjustments will be made to ensure the veneer looks and feels natural. If you have any concerns about the appearance or comfort of the veneer, the dentist will work with you to make adjustments until you are completely satisfied.
- Finally, the veneer is bonded to your tooth with a special bonding cement, which is hardened using a blue light. After a final check to ensure the veneer fits properly and comfortably, your smile is complete!
You will receive detailed instructions on how to care for your veneer, including recommendations on foods to avoid. If you grind your teeth at night, you may also be advised to use a night guard. Following these care guidelines will help ensure the longevity of your veneer, which can last for more than ten years.
Contact us today to learn how veneers can enhance the beauty of your smile.