In the field of cosmetic dentistry, getting porcelain veneers is a transformative solution most people turn to in order to enhance their smiles. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain crafted to cover the front surface of teeth in cases of discoloration, chips, etc.
While porcelain veneers improve aesthetic appeal, they also provide a durable and natural-looking enhancement that blends seamlessly with the rest of the dentition. Beyond the physical benefits, porcelain veneers can significantly enhance one’s self-esteem and confidence. This makes veneers a worthwhile investment as they impact one’s overall well-being. It is the perfect option for getting a smile makeover.
Bedford Dental Group boasts of a team of highly skilled and experienced cosmetic dentists who specialize in porcelain veneers. We place great emphasis on personalized treatment plans as we take time to listen to patients’ concerns, preferences and expectations.
Our reputation for excellence is supported by numerous positive testimonials from satisfied patients. Wouldn’t you want to be a part of this story? Reach out to us now for a consultation!
If you are considering getting porcelain veneers done, you might find yourself wondering “How are porcelain veneers put on?”. To help you better understand the intricacies of the cosmetic veneers process, we’ve curated this article to serve as your comprehensive guide on the porcelain veneers procedure.
Porcelain Veneers with Bedford Dental Group
We offer a lot of dental treatments at Bedford Dental Group, but porcelain veneers are one of our most highly sought-after cosmetic dental solutions. These dental veneers are renowned for their ability to transform teeth that may be discolored, chipped, misaligned, uneven, or have gaps between them. The veneer procedure leaves you with a brighter and more attractive smile.
However, while you might want to enhance your smile in this way, not everyone is a good match for dental veneers. The ideal candidates for porcelain veneers are individuals who have relatively healthy teeth and gums. Candidates should have specific cosmetic goals in mind, such as correcting tooth discoloration that cannot be fixed with whitening, crooked teeth, or adjusting the shape and size of their teeth for a more harmonious smile.
In addition, the preparation for veneers requires removing only a small amount of enamel, making it a less invasive procedure than crowns or dental implants.
Porcelain veneers offer several advantages that make them a preferred option over other cosmetic dental procedures. These veneers mimic the natural translucency and shine of tooth enamel to provide a remarkably natural and appealing look. They are also highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking.
While setting goals and expectations for getting veneers, keep in mind that these expectations should be realistic. You should also be ready to commit to maintaining good oral hygiene practices to ensure the longevity of the veneers.
Our team at Bedford Dental Group comprises skilled professionals specializing in cosmetic dentistry. Our cosmetic dentist will work with you to ensure you receive the highest standard of care and results that exceed expectations.
We work with only the finest quality porcelain for veneers at Bedford Dental Group in Beverly Hills. This guarantees a durable natural-looking result that stands the test of time. Choosing Bedford Dental Group for your porcelain veneers gives you assurance and peace of mind.
Booking a Consultation
Booking a consultation for porcelain veneers is the first and one of the most critical steps in your journey to achieving a transformed smile. The cosmetic dentist evaluates your overall oral health to ensure you are a suitable candidate for veneers. This includes examining your teeth, gums, and the alignment of your bite to identify any issues that may need to be addressed before proceeding.
This visit is an opportunity for you to discuss your cosmetic goals with the dentist. Whether you’re looking to correct crooked teeth, cover chips, or achieve a whiter smile, articulating your expectations helps the dentist tailor the treatment to your desires.
The dentist will explain the different types of dental veneers, such as traditional porcelain veneers, no prep veneers, and composite veneers, along with the pros and cons of veneers. This information helps you make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
During the consultation, the dentist will outline the proposed treatment plan, including the number of veneers needed, the process involved, and the expected outcomes. You will also get information on the cost of the procedure, payment options, and the timeline for completing the treatment.
The Role Of Dental Imaging And Impressions In Planning Your Veneer Application
Dental imaging and impressions play a pivotal role in planning your veneer application. Advanced imaging techniques such as X-rays and digital scans provide detailed views of your teeth and jaw. This helps the dentist evaluate the health of your teeth and plan the veneer placement with precision.
Taking impressions of your teeth is a critical step for creating custom-made veneers that fit perfectly. These molds or digital impressions are sent to a dental lab where your veneers are crafted to match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth.
Preparing for Veneers
Tooth preparation for dental veneers involves slight reshaping of the natural teeth to accommodate the porcelain shells. This step is necessary because it ensures that the veneers can be placed over the teeth without making them look bulky or unnatural. The goal is to achieve a seamless integration between the dental veneer and the natural tooth structure, maintain a symmetrical smile, and ensure that the veneers are virtually indistinguishable from the actual teeth.
For this process, the dentist trims a thin layer of the tooth enamel, which is irreversible but crucial for the proper fit and appearance of the veneers. The tooth trimming process, also known as tooth preparation, is performed with precision and care by the cosmetic dentist. The amount of enamel removed typically ranges from 0.5mm to 0.7mm, depending on the existing condition of the teeth and the desired outcome.
This precise removal of enamel is significant to ensure that the veneers are a right fit without affecting the patient’s bite or causing discomfort. Proper preparation allows for a more natural-looking result as the veneer can mimic the natural contour and shape of the tooth. In addition, it also helps improve the bond between the veneer and the tooth.
Patient comfort is a top priority during the veneer preparation process. Local anesthesia is commonly administered to numb the area around the teeth being prepared, ensuring that the patient experiences no pain during the procedure. The use of anesthesia allows the dentist to perform the necessary reshaping with precision, without causing discomfort to the patient. For those who may feel anxious about dental procedures, additional sedation options may be available to help them relax during the appointment.
After the teeth have been prepared and impressions taken, temporary veneers may be placed to protect the exposed enamel and provide a cosmetic solution until the permanent veneers are ready to be applied. These temporaries also give patients a chance to adjust to the feel of veneers and preview their new smile.
Crafting the Veneers
Crafting porcelain veneers is a detailed and intricate process that involves both the skill of the cosmetic dentist and the precision of dental laboratory technicians. This process is essential to ensure that the final veneers not only fit perfectly but also match the appearance of natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.
The process begins with the preparation of the teeth, which includes the slight reshaping of the tooth’s surface. Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist takes precise impressions of the patient’s teeth. These impressions are critical as they serve as a mold or blueprint from which the dental lab will craft the veneers.
The impressions can be taken using traditional dental putty or through advanced digital scanning technology, which offers a highly accurate and detailed 3D model of the teeth. These impressions or digital scans are then sent to a dental laboratory, where the actual process of crafting the veneers begins.
Dental lab technicians use the impressions to create a model of the patient’s teeth. Working with high-quality porcelain material, technicians sculpt the veneers by hand or use computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology to ensure each veneer is precisely tailored to fit the individual tooth it will cover.
One of the most critical aspects of creating porcelain veneers is color matching and customization. The goal is for the veneers to look indistinguishable from natural teeth. Cosmetic dentists and lab technicians work closely to select the shade of porcelain that best matches the patient’s existing teeth. This process may involve considering the color of neighboring teeth and any specific desires the patient has for their final smile, such as a whiter appearance.
Customization goes beyond color matching; it includes adjusting the translucency and texture of the porcelain to mimic the natural characteristics of tooth enamel. This level of customization ensures that the veneers reflect light similarly to natural teeth, contributing to a natural and vibrant smile.
The choice of material is paramount in the fabrication of porcelain veneers. High-quality porcelain not only offers superior aesthetic qualities, such as natural-looking translucency and color depth, but it also ensures durability and stain resistance. Good materials can withstand the rigors of daily use, maintaining their appearance without discoloring over time. This is particularly important for front teeth, which are most visible when smiling or talking.
The Temporary Phase
Temporary veneers are placed on the teeth immediately after the tooth preparation process. These temporaries are made from a composite material or a similar substance and are designed to protect the exposed tooth surfaces that have been prepared for veneer application.
They protect the prepared teeth from sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, as well as from physical damage or decay. They also allow patients to eat and speak comfortably, maintaining normal functionality as much as possible.
In addition, temporaries give patients an opportunity to “test drive” the look and feel of the veneers, offering feedback on the fit and appearance that can be adjusted in the final veneers. The duration of the temporary phase typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the time required for the dental lab to craft the permanent veneers and any adjustments needed based on the feedback from the patient and dentist.
Taking care of temporary veneers is essential for their durability and to avoid any complications during the temporary phase. In caring for them, you should avoid eating hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could dislodge or damage the temporaries. It’s advisable to eat soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth, if possible.
Dentists generally recommend that patients continue brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss carefully to avoid pulling on the edges of the temporaries. Some dentists recommend sliding the floss out from the side rather than lifting it out to prevent dislodging the veneer. Some patients may experience sensitivity in their teeth with these veneers; use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth if needed, and avoid extremely hot or cold foods and beverages.
The Veneer Bonding Procedure
The veneer bonding procedure is the final and most crucial step in the transformation of your smile with porcelain veneers. It starts with the cleaning and etching of the tooth surface. After cleaning, the tooth is etched with a mild acidic solution. This etching process roughens the surface at a microscopic level, creating a better surface for the bonding material to adhere to. The significance of this step lies in its ability to ensure a strong bond between the veneer and the tooth, which is critical for the veneer’s durability.
Once the tooth surface is prepared, a bonding adhesive is applied. This adhesive acts as an intermediary between the tooth’s etched surface and the veneer, ensuring that the veneer can be securely attached to the tooth. The careful application of this adhesive is crucial as it needs to cover the entire area where the veneer will be placed without overflowing, to prevent excess material from affecting the bite or appearance of the veneer.
The next step involves placing the porcelain veneer precisely on the tooth. This requires a steady hand and a keen eye for detail, as the veneer must be aligned perfectly with the surrounding teeth and gum line to ensure a natural look and comfortable fit. The correct placement is crucial not only for the veneer’s appearance but also for the function of the bite and the overall health of the mouth.
After the veneer is properly positioned, the adhesive is cured (hardened) using a special light, often an ultraviolet light. This curing process takes only a few minutes but is essential for securing the veneer to the tooth with a bond strong enough to withstand the forces of chewing and biting. The light activates the chemicals in the bonding adhesive, causing it to harden rapidly and bond the veneer firmly in place.
Once the veneer is bonded, the dentist will make any necessary final adjustments to ensure a perfect fit and bite alignment. This may involve trimming excess material or slight reshaping of the veneer. After these adjustments, the area is cleaned up to remove any residual adhesive or debris, and the teeth are polished to ensure a smooth and comfortable fit.
Post-Procedure Care
After successfully undergoing the porcelain veneer procedure, taking proper care of your new veneers is crucial to maintain their appearance and longevity. Porcelain veneers are designed to enhance your smile and are quite durable, but their lifespan can significantly depend on how well they are taken care of.
Some patients ask, do porcelain veneers stain? While porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, the adhesive that bonds them to your teeth can still be susceptible to staining over time. To maintain the pristine appearance of your veneers, be mindful of what you consume.
You should also indulge in good oral hygiene practices and regular dental check-ups. Keep in mind that the lifespan of porcelain veneers typically ranges from 10 to 15 years, but the duration reduces to less than 5 years if you do not care for them properly.
Considering Getting Veneers?
Porcelain veneers offer a transformative potential that goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancement. These thin shells of durable, high-quality porcelain are custom-made to fit over your existing teeth, providing a solution to a wide range of dental imperfections. Whether you’re looking to address discolored, chipped, misshapen, or slightly crooked teeth, porcelain veneers can deliver a brighter, more symmetrical, and aesthetically pleasing smile. Their ability to mimic the appearance and light-reflecting properties of natural tooth enamel ensures that your new smile will look both beautiful and natural.
If you’re considering porcelain veneers as a way to enhance your smile, Bedford Dental Group is here to guide you through the process. Our team of skilled cosmetic dentists specializes in veneer placement and is dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.
Don’t let dental imperfections hold you back any longer. Contact Bedford Dental Group today to schedule a consultation!
