Porcelain veneers are used to cosmetically correct teeth that have been chipped or worn, or are crooked, stained, or discolored. They are made out of extremely thin porcelain shells that get bonded to the front side of your teeth.
While porcelain is typically a very brittle material, the bonding process makes it very durable once it is attached to your tooth. As a result, it can be a very effective material for cosmetically improving many of the imperfections your teeth may contain. These dental veneers can be installed on a single tooth or on several teeth simultaneously.
Porcelain veneers, also called porcelain laminates, are commonly used to:
· Repair minor tooth imperfections such as small chips and worn or misshapen teeth
· Cover and conceal fillings that have become discolored
· Alter the color of permanently stained teeth
· Close gaps between teeth - they can sometimes be used as a substitute for braces when teeth are only minimally misaligned
Procedure
Porcelain veneers can be installed by a very simple procedure that will be relatively painless and only take a few visits to your cosmetic dentist to complete.
On your initial consultation, your dentist will x-ray your teeth and take an impression of your entire mouth using a dental mold. Some dentists even use a computer imaging system to help give you a preview of what your new veneers might look like.
Generally, the entire process can be completed in two appointments after your initial consultation. These appointments will usually be within one to two weeks of each other.
First Visit
On your first visit, the enamel on the front side of your tooth is shaved where the veneer will be bonded to the tooth. The amount of enamel to be shaved will match the thickness of the veneer, ensuring the size of your tooth will remain fairly constant.
Your cosmetic dentist will then take an impression of your tooth in one of two ways:
· Impression putty - This is the most commonly used method. The impression gets sent off to a dental lab so that they can make your porcelain veneer. This will usually take one to two weeks to complete.
· Milling machine - In this process, a camera takes a picture of your tooth. The machine then grinds your veneer out of a block of porcelain. This process is completed in just a few minutes, and your porcelain veneer can be installed on the same day.
Sometimes your cosmetic dentist will give you a temporary veneer for your tooth while the permanent veneer is being created in the lab. This is something you will need to discuss with your dentist during your initial consultation.
Second Visit
On your second visit, your dentist will work with the veneer to make sure it fits properly in your tooth and will trim it until it is the ideal shape. Ultimately, the exact shape of your veneer won't be completely fine tuned until it is bonded to your tooth.
Your dentist will also match the veneer's color to the rest of your teeth at this time. He does this by playing with different cement options. Different shades of cement will slightly alter the color of the veneer, allowing it to more closely resemble the color of your neighboring teeth.
Once this is complete, your veneer is ready to be bonded to your tooth. Both the veneer and your tooth will be cleaned. The enamel on your tooth will be treated with an etching gel to give it a rough texture. This aids in the bonding process.
Cement is then placed into the veneer and the veneer is attached to your tooth. Once it is in the proper position, a special blue light is used to bond the veneer to your tooth. Your dentist will polish the tooth to remove excess cement and reshape the veneer as needed. After that, you can enjoy your brand new smile.
