Are you unhappy with your chipped, misaligned, or damaged teeth? Consider porcelain veneers, a beautiful solution to unsightly teeth. Porcelain veneers, alternatively termed dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates, are wafer-thin shells of porcelain that are bonded onto the front side of teeth so to create a cosmetic improvement for a tooth. Porcelain veneers are routinely used by highly trained cosmetic dentists as a way to make cosmetic changes for teeth that are discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned.
Unlike the thick ‘caps’ previously used to treat crooked, chipped or misaligned teeth, porcelain veneers are made of a contact-lens-thin ceramic material. This material is custom-shaped to fit each individual tooth and then color matched and bonded with a strong adhesive to the front of each tooth. The result? A perfect smile you can confidently show to the world.
Porcelain veneer technique is an offshoot of the basic science of cosmetic dental bonding. Dentists have had materials available to them for decades that are capable of creating a tenacious bond with tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers utilize the bonding capability of these materials to securely attach a thin shell of porcelain (the porcelain veneer) to a tooth. Although porcelain is inherently brittle, when it is firmly bonded to a sturdy substructure (a tooth) it becomes very strong and durable.
The Application Process
Typically, the application of porcelain veneers takes three visits to the dentist: diagnosis and planning, preparation, and bonding. During the first visit, you will take an active role in the design of your new smile. Your dentist will explain veneers thoroughly to you and decisions about what is best for you will be made.
During the second visit, the preparation of the teeth visit, the teeth will be prepared for the veneers by first being lightly buffed. Only about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed; this may require local anesthetic. A mold is then take of the teeth, which is sent to the lab that will make your porcelain veneers.
The third and last appointment will take approximately 1-2 hours. First, the veneers are placed on the teeth to check their fit and color. At this time, the color can still be adjusted, but the color cannot be changed after the porcelain veneers are cemented in place. To apply the veneer, the teeth are cleansed with a solution to achieve a bond. A special cement is placed between the veneer and the tooth, and a visible light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.
Post-Application
After approximately two weeks, you should return to your dentist for a follow-up visit. Keep in mind that upon close inspection, you may detect slight variations in the color of the veneers compared to your own teeth. This is common and even occurs with our natural teeth.
Most patients are amazed to find that porcelain veneers look and feel real. They no longer worry about laughing, talking or eating in public, and soon they feel their confidence levels rising. Best of all, with proper care and maintenance, your veneers will last for years.
