What is the Porcelain Veneer Procedure?

Porcelain veneers valparaiso are a popular treatment option for patients who have misaligned, crooked, discolored, or chipped teeth. Although there are other treatment options for these issues, many patients will choose porcelain veneers due to their durability, thinness, and natural appearance.

The procedure for having porcelain veneers placed will vary slightly from patient to patient, but typically you can expect the procedure to go as follows.

Initial Examination

Prior to scheduling your procedure, your dentist or orthodontist will conduct a thorough examination to determine if you are good candidate for porcelain veneers and/or how many veneers you require. During this process, your dentist will take an X-ray and/or photograph to create a customized veneer that meets your specific needs.

Follow-up Appointment

After your initial examination, you will schedule a follow-up appointment within one or two weeks. To prepare your teeth, a small part of your enamel (.5-.7mm) will be removed to make space for the porcelain veneer.

Although this process of enamel removal is generally painless, patients who have tooth or gum sensitivity may benefit from anesthesia to reduce discomfort.

Custom Impression

Following this preparation, a custom impression will be designed to fit the unique structure of your mouth. Once the shape of the tooth has been determined, your dentist will also select a shade of veneer that most closely matches the surrounding teeth. While you are waiting for your custom mold to be made, your dentist will typically provide you with a temporary veneer which will help reduce the risk of developing an infection.

Porcelain Veneer Placement

Once the custom porcelain veneer has been made, you will return for your final appointment. Your dentist will begin by cleaning and polishing your teeth. Next, they will place the porcelain veneers and perform several tests to ensure that the veneers are placed properly, which may involve having you move your mouth side to side, or opening and shutting your mouth. If either of these movements cause any pain or discomfort, it is important to tell your dentist so they can make proper adjustments before bonding the veneer in place. Veneers that are improperly placed can cause other issues to develop later, so it is important to be as honest and vocal with your dentist as possible during this time.

If these tests do not result in any discomfort, and you and your dentist are happy with the look, color, shape, and overall feel of the veneer, the veneer will then be bonded into place. The bonding process is done by etching a gel on the surface of the tooth, which will allow the veneer to bond properly to the tooth. After the gel has been administered, it will be washed off. Next, a bonding agent and veneer shade will be placed and bonded using an intense blue light which will activate chemicals in the cement for one minute. After the bonding is done, your teeth will be cleaned and your dentist will perform any finishing touches if necessary.

Once this is done, your procedure will be complete and you can be on your way with a bright new smile!

More on Porcelain Veneers : How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?