Veneers may be recommended when teeth are/have discolored due to:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Excessive fluoride
• Tetracycline stain
• Root canal treated
• Chipped/Broken
• Uneven
• Worn down
• Gap

Dental Veneers Procedure

Dental veneers can be used to correct the issue. Dental veneers are tooth colored material that get bonded to teeth. First, the dentist needs to identify if the patient is a good candidate for veneers based on their occlusion and alignment. In some cases, the patient is referred to an orthodontist to evaluate the occlusion and spacing of the teeth. Second, the dentist will prepare the tooth structure by removing about .5 mm of the enamel. In some cases, the patient does not need to be anesthetized. The dentist will place temporary veneers on the patient and sends the impression of the teeth to the lab on the same appointment. The lab usually takes between 1 to 2 weeks to prepare the veneers.

The next appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary veneers and replace them with the fabricated veneers by the lab.

Some patients that grind their teeth, clench their teeth, have periodontal disease, or severe decay are not a good candidate for veneers.

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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers refer to light layers of tooth-colored dental restorative material that are custom-made to fit over the outer surface of worn down, stained, chipped, uneven, misaligned, or abnormally spaced teeth to provide an attractive, natural-looking smile. Dental veneers are bonded to the front of your teeth to provide a basis for the alteration of their shape, size, color, or length.

Dental veneers are typically created using porcelain or resin composite components. The former is usually the material of choice because it offers superior stain resistance compared to resin composite, plus it shares the light-reflecting qualities of regular teeth, giving you a more natural look.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

To prepare the front of the tooth for veneer placement, the dentist will peel off about 0.5mm of enamel. The amount of enamel removed is equal in thickness to the veneer that will be attached to correct the problem.

Anesthetic may be used locally to freeze the area, after which the dentist makes an impression or model of the tooth. The impression is sent to the lab to guide the fabrication of your custom veneer. The lab process may take 2 to 4 weeks, within which period you may use temporary veneers.

Fabrication of Porcelain Veneers

Dental porcelain is a sort of material used by dentists to create bio-congruent, tooth-like dental restorations or replacements including crowns, veneers and bridges.

The material mimics tooth enamel flawlessly with regard to:

• High strength
• Glassiness
• Hardness
• Translucence
• High resistance to chemical attack
• High durability

Following an assessment of your dental situation and smile preference, the dentist specifies a color variation of porcelain material that corresponds to a range of mixtures in the lab containing the porcelain powder.

The Provisional Stage

The dentist uses a facial measurement formulae relating teeth to the face, as well as other techniques to customize the shape and size of custom veneers to address the specific needs of each individual.

A computer imaging process digitally replicates the patient’s smile and then develops a mock-up smile made of tooth-colored wax to produce provisional teeth after the diagnostic visit.

Provisional teeth can be worn for up to two weeks, allowing the patient to “try out” their new smile, evaluate the changes before the final outcome, and suggest colors and shapes through feedback before the final restoration.

Bonding

In the provisional stage, the veneers are repeatedly removed and trimmed to achieve the right fit. Once you’re satisfied, the tooth is prepared by cleaning, polishing, and etching. A particular mix of cement is then added to the veneer, which is then bonded to the prepared tooth surface. A light beam is used to harden the cement quickly. Final adjustments can then be made.

Who is the Right Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers can allow for dramatic improvements for patients suffering from:

• Imperfections in tooth position, such as slight rotations
• Small or medium spaces between teeth
• Stained teeth
• Poor tooth shape or contours
• Minor bite problems
• Fractured teeth
• Worn teeth – like due to bruxism

Before your dentist can recommend veneers for the treatment of your dental problem, specific tests must be done to determine the suitability of your oral and tooth health for the procedure. Some requirements include:

• Minimal tooth misalignment, with your teeth largely in normal position
• Enough tooth structure to allow for enamel removal to create room to attach the veneers
• Symmetrical gum contours to allow for better “framing” of the teeth required for an attractive look

What Veneers Can’t Do

It is important to keep in mind that porcelain veneers are mostly used as a cosmetic dental treatment. Patients with root canal infection, gum disease, and tooth decay may not qualify for veneers. After these issues have been successfully treated, you may be cleared for cosmetic enhancement with veneers.

The dentist may also recommend orthodontic treatment first for correcting large misalignments in root position, suboptimal tooth position, poor profile, and poor bite relations. The crooked teeth need to be moved into the appropriate state for both functionality and aesthetics. If veneers are still necessary, they can be placed afterwards as the final restoration.