Dental veneers have gained popularity over the last few years. More and more people are getting highly concerned about the way their smiles look. According to a recent study, more than 48% of adult Americans believe that a smile is a person’s most memorable feature. Thus, if your teeth are not as white as you wish or as they used to be, you might not be making the impression you want to. The vast majority of people who have already placed porcelain veneers state that it is definitely something worth investing in.
Apart from that, some people have cracked, discolored or chipped teeth, which has a negative effect on your smile. Here is the point where dental veneers come into play. They are able to manage all the defects and make your smile look the way you want it to. However, there are a lot of people who have no idea how the process of getting veneers works. Therefore, the following section depicts the main phases of veneers placement.
Phase 1: Evaluating the need for dental veneers
A perfect candidate for dental veneers is the one who has a cracked, chipped or discolored teeth. However, there are a number of discolorations, misalignments and gapped teeth problems that can be treated without the need to permanently change the shape of your teeth (as it happens with dental veneers). In addition to that, patients with tooth decay and/or gingivitis are not recommended to make use of dental veneers. After the examination of the teeth, your dentist will be able to tell whether you are a good candidate for veneers. It can be also the case that a specialist would advise making use of other options such as laser teeth whitening or braces.
Phase 2: Placing dental veneers
When the decision in favor of dental veneers is made, you teeth will be prepared for the bonding process. A dentist will remove about 0.5 millimeters of your tooth enamel. Depending on your personal situation, a doctor will determine whether there is a need for local anesthesia. After this process is finished, an impression of the affected tooth will be taken and sent to a laboratory for the permanent veneers to be manufactured. Generally, it is going to take between several days to a couple of weeks.
During the process of production of permanent veneers, your dentist will place temporary ones. You can use them until the permanent ones arrive. During this period you will be able to determine whether you are completely satisfied with its color, shape, and size. When your permanent porcelain veneers arrive, your doctor will make sure they fit your teeth. The next step is polishing and etching your teeth in order to prepare them for the bonding process. Dentists apply a special type of cement to veneers and then place them on your teeth. A curing light is typically used to harden the cement. The final step is assessing the fit of the veneers and getting rid of any excess cement.
Phase 3: Taking care of porcelain veneers
Specialists claim that dental veneers do not require a lot of extra care. The main thing you should keep in mind is the hygiene of your mouth. You should practice good dental hygiene in the form of flossing and brushing on a regular basis. Apart from that, you should not forget about the regular dentist’s visits. Veneers are believed to be stain-resistant. However, if you wish to prevent any possible staining in natural surrounding teeth, it is recommended to restrict yourself from staining drinks and foods.