What is the Porcelain Veneer Procedure?
The porcelain veneer procedure begins with a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. Once this examination and evaluation are complete, if there is any indication of gum disease or tooth decay, these issues will be addressed before cosmetic procedures begin. Once the oral cavity is free of disease and decay, the treatment procedure can begin.
First, the tooth or teeth that are being treated are prepared by the dentist. Porcelain veneers are paper-thin layers of porcelain that are cemented to the fronts of the teeth. In order for the veneers to comfortably nestle in the gums like natural teeth would, a small amount of dental enamel is shaved off the fronts of the teeth – usually about .5 to .7 millimeters – and if there are any old fillings in the tooth, they will be replaced so that the veneers will bond to them.
When dental tissue below the gum line needs to be removed, your dentist may administer a sedative, though the porcelain veneer procedure is often performed without sedatives unless otherwise preferred by the patient.
During this preparatory stage, your dentist will use color-matching tools to determine the proper shade for the porcelain in your veneers, aiming for a completely natural-looking, cohesive row of teeth that reflects light and shade just like the natural teeth.
Once the teeth have been trimmed and cleaned, the dentist takes an impression of the dentition and surrounding gums, using this impression to make a diagnostic wax-up that serves as a model for precise positioning and placement and perfectly engineered veneers. A temporary veneer will protect your prepared teeth while you wait for your permanent porcelain veneer, which is crafted in a dental lab and can take a couple of weeks to make.
Once the porcelain veneer is constructed, your dentist will temporarily attach it to the tooth to evaluate its positioning, removing and reattaching the veneer to trim and recheck its fit. It’s important to ensure that the veneer doesn’t get in the way of proper, comfortable biting, and it shouldn’t cause any discomfort, so this trimming and fitting process is precise and meticulous.
Once the fit is fine-tuned, your dentist will polish the outer surface of the tooth and the inner surface of the veneer, making sure they’re smooth and free from imperfections that might affect their bond. Then, they will use an acid gel to etch the tooth surface, which resurfaces the tooth to create a more durable bond with the veneer and is rinsed off before bonding cement is applied and the surfaces are attached. Your dentist will use a blue light to harden the cement and reinforce the bond, repeating this process with pigmented layers of porcelain to create a dimensional, luminous effect.
Each tooth is prepared and treated separately, and this process is repeated until all veneers have been placed. After placing all the veneers, your dentist will carefully floss your teeth to remove any loose cement or debris and will clean your teeth to make sure they’re shiny and polished – and then, you’re ready to face the world with your newly remodeled smile.
