Veneering teeth involves covering the front surface of a tooth with a thin, custom-made shell to improve its appearance, shape, or color.
What is Teeth Veneering?
Teeth veneering is a popular cosmetic dental procedure used to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Veneers are essentially thin layers of material, typically porcelain or composite resin, bonded to the front of your natural teeth. This process can address various dental issues, such as:
- Discoloration or staining
- Chips or cracks
- Minor misalignment or gaps
- Worn-down enamel
- Irregularly shaped teeth
The Veneering Process
Getting veneers usually requires multiple visits to your dentist's office. The exact process can vary slightly depending on the type of veneer used (e.g., porcelain vs. composite) and individual dental needs.
Step-by-Step: How Porcelain Veneers Are Placed
Porcelain veneers are a common choice known for their durability and natural appearance. The process typically follows these steps:
- Initial Consultation: Your dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine if veneers are the right option for you.
- Tooth Preparation: A small amount of enamel (usually less than a millimeter) is often removed from the front surface of the tooth. This creates space for the veneer and ensures a natural fit and appearance. In some cases, minimal or no preparation is needed.
- Taking Impressions: Once the teeth are prepared, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a lab where the veneers are crafted. These impressions serve as a mold for the dental technician to create veneers that perfectly fit your prepared teeth.
- Temporary Veneers: While the permanent veneers are being made in the lab, which can take a couple of weeks, your dentist likely apply temporary veneers to keep your smile strong and protect the prepared teeth.
- Veneer Bonding: Then, you'll be invited back into the office in a few weeks to place them. The dentist will temporarily place the veneers on your teeth to check the fit and color. After any final adjustments, the teeth are cleaned, polished, and etched (roughened) to prepare for bonding. A special dental cement is applied, and the veneer is carefully placed onto the tooth.
- Final Curing and Adjustment: A special light is used to activate the dental cement, bonding the veneer firmly to the tooth. Any excess cement is removed, and the bite is checked and adjusted as needed.
Types of Veneers
While porcelain veneers are popular, another common type is composite resin veneers.
- Porcelain Veneers: Custom-made in a dental lab, offering excellent aesthetics, durability, and stain resistance. Require tooth preparation and multiple visits.
- Composite Veneers: Applied directly to the tooth in the dentist's office, often in a single visit. Less expensive than porcelain but may not be as durable or stain-resistant.
Teeth are veneered by preparing the tooth surface, taking impressions, crafting the veneer in a lab (for porcelain), placing temporary covers, and finally bonding the custom-made veneer to the tooth.
