As a purely cosmetic dentistry treatment, dental veneers can transform your appearance and help you to make the most of your smile. They instantly transform your smile and can boost your confidence, but if you want to know how veneers are done, read on.
Dental veneers may be the solution if your smile needs a little help. Dentists can use them to correct teeth that are:
- Chipped or cracked
- Misshapen
- Discoloured from within
- Gapped
- Worn down
They can even correct crooked teeth to make them appear straight and even, eliminating the need for orthodontic treatment in mild cases.
How veneers are done?
There are two main types of dental veneers, porcelain and composite. How they are done depends on which style you choose. Let’s take a closer look.
Porcelain veneers
An initial consultation is required before getting porcelain veneers, like any cosmetic dentistry procedure. The dentist will examine your teeth and gums and discuss your smile goals and what you hope to achieve with the treatment. If it is confirmed that you are a good candidate, the first of two dental veneers appointments will be scheduled for your treatment.
During the first appointment, our cosmetic dentist will remove a thin sliver of enamel from the front of each tooth receiving a veneer, usually about the same thickness as the porcelain veneers you will receive. This is done to ensure that when the veneers are attached to the front of the teeth, they sit flush with the surrounding teeth and don’t impact the bite.
Digital impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to an offsite laboratory where your porcelain veneers are custom-made, along with details of the shade(s) required. In most cases, the dentist will provide temporary veneers to protect the prepared teeth during the waiting period.
Once we have received the veneers from the laboratory, a second appointment is arranged to fit your permanent veneers. The dentist will try the dental veneers on your teeth to check their colour, fit, and shape. The edges may need trimming or rounding off; the dentist will do this while you wait. The colour can also be adjusted if you’re unhappy with the results. However, all these adjustments must be done before the porcelain veneers are bonded.
To place the veneers, the teeth are etched with acid to create a rough surface that helps the porcelain veneers to adhere. Finally, a high-density light is shone to harden the cement and voilà! – check out that gorgeous smile.
Composite veneers
Composite veneersComposite dental veneers are done without removing any tooth enamel, which means that, unlike porcelain dental veneers, the procedure can be reversed.
Composite resin is applied in layers to the tooth surface and sculpted to the desired appearance. It is then hardened and polished to provide a shiny, lustrous finish—like natural teeth.
Are you ready for a new smile?
Now you know how dental veneers are done, why not schedule an appointment or call us on (02) 9054 5281 with the team at Boutique Dental Care Chatswood to talk it through with one of our dentists to ascertain whether you are a good candidate?
References
Colgate: 5 helpful cosmetic dentistry procedures you should know about
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/five-types-of-cosmetic-dentistry-procedures
Orthodontics Australia: Crooked teeth in adults
https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/crooked-teeth-in-adults/