Porcelain Veneers
More commonly known as dental veneers, veneers are actually custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that serve the purpose of covering the tooth’s front surface. These veneers play an important role in enhancing a person’s facial appearance.
Although dental veneers are also made from resin, porcelain veneers are the popular choice because of their durability and increased resistance to stains. Porcelain veneers also work great for mimicking the property of light reflection like natural teeth.
Why Would You Need Porcelain Veneers?
If you’re experiencing any of the following dental problems, your dentist may consider using porcelain veneers:
- You have tooth discoloration. This could be because of root canal treatment or as a result of stains from drugs. Teeth may also get discolored because of excessive fluoride intake or large resin fillings.
- Your teeth are worn down.
- You have broken, chipped or crooked teeth.
- You have misaligned teeth that are uneven or unevenly shaped..
- Your teeth have gaps between them.
About The Procedure
Determining the Treatment Strategy
When considering the option of porcelain veneers, the first thing your dentist will consider is the treatment strategy. It is always good to have an open discussion with your dentist about the expectation from this procedure. After examining your teeth, your dentist will decide whether or not you’re the right candidate for porcelain veneers.
Preparing for the procedure
For the purpose of preparing teeth for veneers, around half a millimeter of enamel is taken from the tooth surface. The dentist will talk to the patient to decide on using a local anesthetic for numbing the area. A model or impression of the tooth is then made, which is sent to the dental lab for veneer construction. This may take up to a week or two.
Bonding
Before the permanent cementing of the veneer, it is temporarily placed on the tooth for examining the color and fit. The veneer is repeatedly removed and trimmed for achieving the best fit and its color can be matched with the cement shade to be used. After cleaning, polishing and etching the tooth, the veneer is placed on the tooth with special cement. Once the veneer has been positioned properly on the tooth, a special light beam is applied to the dental veneer for hardening it quickly. In the end, the dentist removes any excess cement in addition to assessing the bite and making the necessary adjustments to veneers for the best possible results.