The Procedure
Because having veneers is a big commitment, it is very important to have a thorough consultation with a dentist. During your consultation the dentist will talk to you about the risks and benefits of the treatment and assess whether you are a suitable candidate. They will then help you decide on what size, shape and color of veneers will best suit your face and features. They can also discuss with you what other options are available and whether they would help you achieve your goals without the need for veneers.
It is a good idea to ask the dentist if you can see examples of their work. To help you in your decision process some dentists provide cosmetic digital imaging, which allows you to see what your teeth may look like after your procedure. This is only meant to serve as a guide and it is important to remember that the end result is likely to differ slightly.
Some dentists also use a ‘dental mock up’, which is temporarily attached to your teeth to give you an idea of what your new smile may look like. This is particularly useful if you re having quite dramatic changes made to your teeth. The dental mock up can then be used as a blueprint for your permanent new teeth.
Once you have decided to opt for veneers you have to remember that there is no going back, as the vast majority of dental veneers will require some tooth tissue to be removed to allow room for them to be placed.
The whole procedure can take some time from beginning to end. Some dentists are now able to make your veneers in their clinic so you do not need to wear temporary ones, but in most cases you will need to come back to your dentist for a couple of appointments before your treatment is complete.
One appointment will be needed to make an impression of your mouth. Your dentist will then reshape and prepare the surfaces of your teeth before they design your veneers to ensure they fit properly. First, the dentist will proceed to numbing your teeth and gums using a local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. The dentist will then file away a tiny amount of the front surface of your teeth using a special drill. The amount removed should be equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that will sit over the top surface of the tooth.
It takes between two and three weeks to make your new teeth, so usually temporary veneers are put in place. You will then need to come back to have your new veneers fitted. Once the dentist is happy with the way the veneers look, they will then proceed to thoroughly clean and etch or roughen the front surfaces of your teeth. Your veneers will then be positioned and cemented into place using a curing light to help activate the dental cement so that it permanently bonds the veneer to the front surface of your prepared tooth. Once the teeth are polished and the smile transformation is complete, you can leave the dentist’s office with a brand new, beautiful smile.
