Dental veneers (also known as porcelain veneers) are ultra-thin shells for your teeth that are custom-made for the patient. The veneers are meant to bond to the front teeth in order to alter their appearance. They can be used to change the color or shape, size or length of a person’s teeth.

Porcelain veneers are a popular choice because of their durability and how well they match the appearance of natural teeth; they are also more stain resistant than resin veneers.

What dental challenges can veneers resolve?

• Dental veneers can fix discoloration of the teeth caused by root canal treatments, resin fillings, excessive fluoride, and many other related issues.
• Worn teeth – Teeth that have experienced erosion of the enamel caused by the consumption of things like sodas and fruit drinks can be repaired with porcelain veneers.
• Chipped or broken teeth can be restored with dental veneers
• Veneers can drastically improve the appearance of uneven, misaligned, or misshapen teeth.
• Dental veneers can be used to close spaces between teeth.

What should patients expect when getting used to their new veneers?

Patients adjusting to new porcelain veneers can anticipate minimal recovery time. They may experience some temporary sensitivity to hot and cold consumables, a result of the enamel removed during the veneer placement process. Otherwise, individuals can expect to quickly showcase their bright new smiles. Typically, porcelain veneers remain in good condition for about ten years, although many cases see them last considerably longer.

How do porcelain veneers help in strengthening weak teeth?

Porcelain veneers can provide additional strength to weak teeth by offering a supportive ceramic layer. This layer acts much like a protective shell, adding durability and stability to teeth that may be structurally compromised but are free from decay.

What are the orthodontic benefits of porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers offer several orthodontic advantages, including the ability to subtly correct misaligned teeth and improve bite issues. By affixing a ceramic layer to the front of the teeth, veneers can adjust their position slightly, which helps in aligning crooked teeth and enhancing the overall bite function. This method can really be an efficient alternative to more invasive orthodontic treatments like braces, providing a cosmetic solution that also aids in orthodontic correction without significantly disrupting everyday life. Additionally, veneers add a layer of strength to teeth, supporting those that may be structurally weaker, though they should not be applied to teeth with existing decay.

What’s the process for a dental veneer procedure?

Getting veneers put in is a process that typically requires at least three visits to the dentist. After your initial in-office consultation, you need to go back at least two other times to complete the full procedure.  Your dentist can apply veneers to one tooth or several teeth depending on the patient’s needs. We have described the process below:

• Evaluation and treatment strategy. The first step in this process is a consultation with your dentist to discuss your needs. During this time, he or she will perform a thorough assessment and provide a diagnosis of any issues. At this time, the dentist will discuss a plan of treatment with you and describe the entire procedure in detail. If necessary, the doctor may also order x-rays and make impressions of your teeth.

• Preparing for installation. The next step is to properly prepare the teeth for the procedure.  During this phase of the process, the dentist removes approximately ½ millimeter of enamel from the surface of your natural teeth. The use of a local anesthetic can be used to numb the area.

Once this is complete, your dentist will create a model (sometimes called an impression) of your tooth or teeth. The model is then sent to a laboratory, which uses the impression to create your veneers. This can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks to complete, after which time your dentist then receives the veneers.  While waiting on these new veneers to come in, the dentist may provide the patient with a temporary set of veneers if deemed necessary.

• Cementing. Your dentist will first place your veneers over your teeth to assess how well they fit and how well the color matches to your natural teeth. He or she will make several adjustments to ensure the proper fit. If needed, your dentist can even tweak the color of your veneers using a cement.

Before bonding the veneers, your teeth will be prepped by receiving a careful cleaning, polishing, and they will be etched to make the surface of each tooth rougher. This is done so that the veneers will bond better to your teeth. Next, a cement will put onto the veneers before the veneers get adhered to your own teeth.

After the veneers have all be properly placed, a special light is used to help harden the cement, which only takes a few seconds. Your dentist will then remove the excess cement, ensure everything is in working order, and make final adjustments to ensure the perfect fit.

More than likely, your dentist will ask that you come back for a follow-up visit over the next couple of weeks to ensure that there are no complications.

Ready to take the first steps on your journey to a new smile? Give us a call at 210-686-1888 to schedule your consultation today! We will perform a comprehensive examination to ensure you have the right plan to meet your needs.

Elevate Dental is committed to delivering the best results possible to our patients. We promise to always provide high-quality care, service, and the comfort that you deserve. Our team has the knowledge, training, and technical expertise to help you discover the right solutions for both you and your family.