Dental veneers or porcelain veneers are custom-made shells of tooth-colored material that cover your teeth and give you a million-dollar smile. The veneers bond to your teeth and change their shape, size, color, or length to improve their appearance. So, if you are thinking about getting veneers installed, this article is for you. Here are the steps you need to follow to get your veneers installed.
Consultation appointment
The first step towards getting your veneers installed is to make an appointment with your doctor. During this appointment, you have to explain what you are hoping to achieve from dental veneers and figure out if this is the right procedure for you or not. There are some conditions that might make you ineligible for the procedure, such as misaligned teeth, gum disease, or the need for a root canal. If you are unable to get permanent veneers, you still have the option to use temporary veneers. This is a less expensive option where you slip the veneers over your existing teeth and avoid invasive dental procedures. Get started by booking a consultation with this reputable Dentist in san antonio.
Trimming
Once you have decided that the veneers are the right procedure for you, your next visit will involve your dentist trimming your teeth so that they are the same thickness as the veneers. If your teeth have decayed, they will be trimmed more extensively. The aim of the trimming is to attain the shape that hides the point where the veneers meet your teeth. The dentist will limit the trimming to your enamel as it makes the bond more secure. However, in rare cases, the dentist might extend into the dentin layer of your teeth.
Creating an impression
The next step involves your dentist taking an impression of your teeth and gum, which will be then used for fabricating veneers. The whole process can take up to two weeks. The dentist will use impression paste which is a goo squished over your teeth, and allow it to set. This will create a mold that will be further used for fabricating your veneers. In some cases, they might also use a retraction cord for pushing the gum away and removing it immediately before they take the impression. There is another method that your dentist might use, named milling machine. In this, a camera is used for taking the impression of your teeth optically. Then, the machine will grind your veneers from a ceramic block within minutes.
In case the dentist shaves a relative amount of teeth off, they might place a temporary veneer. This is a mold filled with plastic that is slipped over your teeth.
Evaluating color, fit, and shape
Your next appointment will include evaluating the way you want your veneers to sit on your teeth. If they fit incorrectly, they will be trimmed until they are perfect. In case you are not satisfied with the shape accomplished by the milling machine or the lab, the dentist can make the changes before installation. They will also fine-tune the trail paste’ shades to your teeth’ color as it helps them find the right cement shade to use. Once they have accomplished the right color and shape, they will clean the trial paste off and polish the surface of your teeth.
Setting the dental veneers
The last step of the installation process is using an acid etching gel for etching your teeth for about 15 to 20 seconds. It will create a rough enamel surface capable of bonding with the cement of the veneer. Then, they will clean the etching gel off and apply a bonding agent, which will create an actual bond with the etched teeth surface. The dentist will place cement inside your veneers and squish them in the right place. Lastly, they will shine a curing light on your teeth that will activate the bonding agent and catalyst in the cement, causing the veneers to set.
When it comes to dental issues that affect the natural appearance of your teeth, dental veneers are one of the best solutions out there. They last for about 15 years and are stronger than crowns. You even have the option of choosing a color that whitens your teeth. Also, since porcelain is stain-resistant, you don’t need any special care for them. Just practice your regular oral hygiene routine like brushing and flossing, and you will be good to go.
When you have the right specialist, you can easily get the smile you have always dreamed of. Veneers are a worthwhile investment for anyone trying to get the perfect Hollywood smile.
