What Are Dental Veneers?

Do you have discolored teeth? Perhaps your teeth are worn down, chipped or broken? Do you feel like your smile could use a little pampering?

You may be a candidate for Dental Veneers.

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. You may have heard your dentist refer to them as porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates. These shells are bonded to the front of your teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement.

Planning for Your Veneers

A treatment plan will need to be put in place and our specialists here at Harbor Point will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for veneers. You may have x-rays taken and possibly make impressions of your mouth and teeth.

Preparation for Your New Smile

Your teeth will need to be prepped before the veneers can be applied. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, about 1/2 millimeter of enamel will be removed from the tooth surface, so that your veneers can be laid properly to look like your natural teeth. A local anesthetic to will be applied to numb the area before the enamel is trimmed. Next, we will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a our dental laboratory, which constructs your veneer. Once the veneers have been received, you will than have an appointment scheduled to bond them.

Bonding Your Veneers

Before the dental veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, it will temporarily placed on your tooth to examine its fit and color. The veneer may be removed and trimmed repeatedly to ensure a proper fit. The veneer color can be adjusted with the shade of cement that is used to bond them. Next, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. This roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly positioned on the tooth, a special light beam will be applied to the dental veneer. The light beam will activate the chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary. You may be asked to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer’s placement.

Now, you are equipped with the information necessary to determine if dental veneers may be right for you! Come talk to us, here at Harbor Point Dental Group, and we will guide you on the necessary steps toward achieving your perfect smile!