WHAT ARE DENTAL VENEERS?
A tooth veneer is a thin, custom-made, tooth-colored shell. It is made of porcelain to give it the same opaque coloring we recognize in teeth enamel, so it does not have a chiclet or fake look. Tooth veneers are designed to cover the front side of your most visible teeth. They are attached by removing a small amount of enamel from the tooth and permanently bonding the veneer to the tooth.
THE VENEER PROCESS
FIRST OFFICE VISIT
For most patients, dental veneers are placed over the course of two office visits.The first visit is the consultation; once the patient has agreed to treatment, we can then take some preparatory steps during this visit.
THE PROCESS
1. Discuss Needs
Dental veneers can be used to disguise a number of problems in teeth. They can be used to hide chips, fractures, gaps, stains, sizing and more. Veneers are ideal for patients who have experienced intrinsic staining that cannot be whitened away such as stains that come from fluorosis or certain medications. Some patients may want a teeth veneer on one, multiple, or even all eight of their front teeth
2. Take Impressions
We will take impressions of your current teeth, including the neighboring teeth, for size and spacing. We will include information such as the needed length, width, and coloring needed for the veneer to work well with your bite and to match neighboring teeth.
Preparing the jawbone for the implants, if needed
3. Prepare the Natural Tooth
The tooth veneer is thin, but will still add bulk to the tooth, we will need to shave and shape the natural tooth to allow space for the veneer. It should be noted that this reduction in enamel and shaping is a permanent alteration to the natural tooth.
Implant placement and bone healing
Once the teeth are prepared, we will place temporary veneers over your teeth to reduce any discomfort either from sensitivity or just due to the changes in your appearance. The impressions are sent to a dental lab for fabrication; it can take one to two weeks to receive the finished product.
Dental veneers can be placed on any eight of your front teeth. Though they are highly durable, they should not be placed on teeth that are more active in the chewing process.
SECOND OFFICE VISIT
Once we have received the completed veneers from the dental lab, we will contact you to schedule your second appointment for placement. We will remove the temporary veneer, clean the area and check the fit. We can make any necessary adjustments to ensure a precise fit and look at this time. After we have determined the correct bite and fit, we will then cement the permanent veneer into place. The cement bond is strong and highly durable, though we will check the bond with every dental exam moving forward.
If your smile isn’t as perfect as you want, there are ways to improve it to give you the confident smile you want. When your smile has cosmetic problems, such as uneven teeth, discoloration, or chipped teeth, dental veneers can be an effective way to improve your smile without having to go through invasive or extreme procedures. Dental veneers in El Paso, TX can improve your smile, self-esteem, and get you on your way to showing the world the side of yourself you want them to see.
DENTAL VENEERS
Dental veneers are thin shells that are placed over the front of natural teeth in order to improve the overall appearance of your smile. They are custom-made to fit over your teeth, and create a uniform look to your smile. Veneers can be a good solution to hide teeth that are chipped, stained, or uneven. By placing veneers over your natural teeth, you will have the benefit of the beautiful smile you are looking for paired with the benefits of keeping your natural teeth.
There are two main types of veneers: composite and porcelain. Composite veneers are made of the same material often used in fillings, which is a resin designed to look like natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are also often used because the material looks very similar to natural teeth, including the way it reflects light. They may be more durable than composite veneers. Both composite and porcelain veneers are very thin so they can be fitted over your natural teeth without looking strange or false.
Veneers
GETTING DENTAL VENEERS
The process of getting veneers takes multiple appointments. This is to ensure that the teeth are properly prepared and the veneers fit properly over the natural teeth. Generally, the process of getting veneers includes:
- First appointment: Preparing the teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from each tooth that will be covered
- First appointment: Taking an impression of your teeth to ensure that the veneers fit properly over your natural teeth
- Manufacturing the veneers (usually off-site) using the impressions taken
- Second appointment: Veneers are placed on the teeth to ensure fit and, after any adjustments are made, the teeth are cleaned and the veneers are adhered to the teeth
- Any additional adjustments can be made after the veneers are bonded to the natural teeth
If you have uneven, discolored, or chipped teeth, dental veneers can be a great way to improve the look of your smile and help give you the confidence you want. The custom-made veneers simply fit over your natural teeth, and no one will know that your smile is anything but completely natural.
FAQs
A. A tooth veneer is a custom-made thin, tooth-colored shell. It is manufactured of porcelain to maintain the same opaque tint and avoid a faux appearance. Dental veneers are used to conceal the front side of your teeth.
A. Veneers can correct dental flaws such as tooth chipping, unequal length, minor gaps, moderately crooked teeth, smile asymmetries, worn down teeth, discolored or stained teeth, and grooved enamel.
A. Veneers take many appointments due to the preparation required for your teeth and the time needed to produce the veneers.
A.
- The teeth are prepped by removing a little bit of enamel from each tooth that will be covered.
- To guarantee that the veneers fit perfectly over your natural teeth, an imprint of your teeth is obtained.
- The imprints are used to create the veneers, which are fabricated (typically off-site).
- Veneers are placed on the teeth to guarantee a proper fit, then the teeth are cleaned, and the veneers are attached.
- Any further changes are performed when the veneers are attached to the natural teeth.
A. Veneers are not removed at home for cleaning purposes. The tiny shells are glued to your natural teeth and will stay in place no matter what. However, like other dental restorations, they may need to be fixed or changed over time.
A. Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution to improve the look of your smile. They are not necessary to repair damaged teeth or correct other dental problems. In addition, there may be other cosmetic solutions to improve your smile if dental veneers are not the best option for you.
A. Multiple appointments are needed for veneers because of the preparation needed for your teeth as well as the time required to manufacture the veneers. By using an impression to create veneers, they are more likely to fit perfectly over your natural teeth, which will make the veneers look more natural and give you the smile you’re looking for.
A. Veneers are not removed at home, such as to clean your teeth. The thin shells are bonded to your natural teeth in order to remain in place no matter what you do. However, over time, they may have to be repaired or replaced much like other dental solutions.
A. Though veneers are designed to stay in place with bonding, you may need to replace veneers that become loose or damaged over time. This can be a normal part of the lifespan of your veneers, but it may also be because of dental hygiene practices or other factors. With proper care, dental veneers can last a long time before needing to be replaced.
A. No. Though some people choose to cover all of their teeth for a consistent smile, you may choose only to address problem teeth or only parts of your smile that show when you talk and smile. If you have one tooth that is chipped or discolored, you can have a veneer placed over that tooth alone. Or you can create an even, consistent smile with veneers over multiple teeth. Your dentist can discuss these options with you to find the best solution for your needs.
A. Most people can get dental veneers. However, those who are good candidates have good overall oral health and hygiene and plenty of tooth enamel on their natural teeth. Your dentist will examine your teeth to determine if you are a good candidate for dental veneers.
