A veneer is a small shield that can be attached to a tooth of which a thin layer on the outside has been removed with a bur. The veneer is custom made by a dental laboratory after the dentist has taken an impression of the tooth. It will be attached to the tooth using an adhesive cement.
A veneer is indicated when a tooth is healthy and strong, but ugly.
Veneer placement procedure
First veneer appointment:
The teeth are prepared by removing a small amount of the front surface of the tooth (about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeter - the thickness of a fingernail) to allow space for the porcelain. Then the dentist takes an impression of your teeth. This impression is used by the laboratory technician to create your veneers.
After your teeth are prepared and before the veneers are placed, the teeth will feel rough and somewhat strange. In most cases, however, their appearance is nearly normal, especially at conversational distance. Keep them well-brushed, though, as they will tend to stain more easily at this time. Sometimes the teeth can be covered with a temporary veneer.
They will also be extra sensitive to air and cold. A coating placed on the teeth can minimize this sensitivity.
It is critical to keep the gums healthy at this time. If they are puffy, they will tend to bleed easily during the bonding of the veneers, which will contaminate and weaken the bond. Floss thoroughly, every night. If you notice any bleeding in the gums, floss more frequently. If the gums tend to bleed during the bonding appointment, the dentist will not be able to bond the veneers.
Porcelain veneers, to be done right, need to be made at a dental laboratory that dedicates itself to producing high-quality cosmetic work. Ordinary dental labs simply don't have the expertise to produce these works of art. Photographs and models will be sent to help them achieve an artistic result that will be customized to your personality and that maximizes your facial attractiveness.
Second veneer appointment:
First part of this second appointment is a try-in. The appearance and fit of the porcelain is checked in your mouth to be sure that it will meet your esthetic and functional requirements. If it doesn't, other try-ins may be scheduled until it looks just right.
If the veneer meets your expactations we can continue with the bonding phase. Bonding involves an elaborate series of steps that bond the veneer to the tooth. These bonding procedures are not fully taught in dental schools. Additionally, bonding technology keeps changing with newer materials and techniques. This is another of the reasons that a dentist, to do this well, needs to be dedicated to extensive education beyond dental school. The end result is a durable, beautiful restoration that acts like it is a part of your tooth.
