If you want a dazzling smile with dental veneers, you’ll need to go through the process. This involves several steps that transform your teeth from drab to fab. You’ll walk out of your final appointment feeling like a work of art.
If you want to know what to expect from dental veneer treatment, continue reading. You’ll learn the steps from consultation to the final reveal.
Step 1: Consultation
The road to your new smile begins with a consultation where you and your dentist discuss your goals. At this stage, you can ask questions or express any concerns you may have about the procedure.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
Once your plan is in place, your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel. This doesn’t hurt your teeth at all, it simply creates space for the veneers. Without this step, your veneers would sit on top of your teeth and wouldn’t align correctly.
Step 3: Impressions
Precise impressions of your newly prepared teeth are taken via a 3D scanning device. These impressions serve as the blueprint a dental lab will use to craft your prosthetics.
Step 4: Temporary Dental Veneer Placement
While your permanent veneers are being crafted, temporary veneers are placed on your prepared teeth. This interim step provides protection and allows you to adjust to the look and feel of veneers. They may feel a bit strange, but that’s because they’re not specifically tailored for you. Your permanent prosthetics will fit perfectly!
Step 5: Dental Veneer Fabrication
Using the impressions as a guide, skilled technicians at a dental lab will craft your veneers. They use the scanned images to create replicas of your teeth the way they’ll look when they’re cast in porcelain. Once they’re made, they’re shipped back to your dentist’s office. This process usually takes two to three weeks.
Step 6: Try-On Appointment and Adjustments
Before final bonding, you’ll have a try-on session with the veneers. This allows for any necessary adjustments to ensure the perfect fit, comfort, and alignment. This is the first time you’ll be able to see your new veneers before they’re attached. If no adjustments need to be made, your dentist can go to the final step.
Step 7: Bonding and Polishing of the Dental Veneers
Once the adjustments are made, your custom veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth. First, your dentist will “etch” the teeth with an acidic solution to open the pores. Next, a strong cement is applied to your tooth and the veneer before adhering them together. This forms a microscopic-level bond that essentially makes your tooth and the veneer one piece.
Getting veneers takes a bit of time and effort. From the initial consultation to the final bonding, each step is crucial in achieving the desired results. If you’re considering veneers, start with the first step. Talk to your dentist and ask for a consultation. Then, look forward to unveiling your transformed, confident smile!
About the Author
Dr. Navi Dhaliwal is a friendly and talented dentist who loves to see her patients smile. She graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a Doctor in Dental Surgery degree. She uses state-of-the-art dental technology and the latest techniques to ensure that your treatment will be fast, efficient, and pain-free. To schedule an appointment at Complete Dental Care of Covington, call (253) 243-6576 or visit the website to explore other services.