Dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, are thin shells custom-made with tooth-colored materials designed to coat the front teeth for cosmetic purposes. They come in different colors, shapes, lengths, and sizes, enhancing the appearance of teeth. In this article, let’s talk about how they are made.
- Diagnosis and Planning of Treatment
The first step of the procedure involves the patient’s active participation. During this appointment, you will need to discuss with your dentist the goals you want to achieve for your teeth. Your dentist will check your teeth and see if dental veneers are some of your best options. He or she may also explain how the procedure will go and what limitations you should know beforehand.
- Preparation
The preparation stage involves removing the enamel of the tooth from the surface. The enamel that will be removed will measure more or less ½ millimeters. This measurement will be the thickness of your veneer.
Your dentist will make an impression on your teeth. This model will then be sent to a dental lab to construct your veneer. Your veneer will most likely be made from porcelain or resin composite materials.
Your dentist will receive the veneers from the laboratory after 2-4 weeks. If your teeth look unsightly, you may need to wear temporary dental veneers while waiting for your veneers to be placed weeks after.
- Bonding
Before your dentist permanently cements the veneers to your teeth, he or she will most likely temporarily position it on your teeth to observe its fit. The veneer must be repeatedly removed and trimmed in order to achieve the proper fit. The color can also be adjusted by adjusting the shade of the cement used.
Before the bonding, your teeth will be cleaned and etched. A special cement will be applied to the veneer, and then the veneer will be placed on your tooth. Once the veneer is properly positioned on your tooth, a dental light beam is applied to the veneer to activate the chemical in the cement and harden it.
The polishing stage involves removing excess cement, evaluating the bite, and adjusting the veneer.
Visit your walk-in dentist near me after a couple of weeks for a follow-up checkup, and let him or her examine the placement of your veneers.