What To Expect When You Get Veneers To Improve Your Smile

20 October 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you're not happy with your smile because your front teeth are slightly uneven, then dental veneers might be the solution. Veneers are thin coverings made of porcelain that fit on top of your teeth. They cover imperfections such as chips, gaps, uneven teeth, and even tooth stains. Here's what you need to know about getting veneers to improve your smile.

Determine Suitability

While veneers can cover a wide range of dental problems, they are not suitable in all instances. If your teeth are out of alignment or rotated, you may need to wear braces instead. If you have a decayed tooth, a resin filling or crown may be more suitable. The first step is to talk to your dentist about what you hope to achieve. After an examination and discussion about all possible forms of treatment, you can then decide if veneers are a good choice for you.

Preparation Work

Getting veneers requires two phases. In the first phase, your teeth are prepped to receive the shells. This involves removing a layer of enamel that is the same thickness as a veneer. The dentist does this so the veneers will slip into place and be even with your other teeth. If only one tooth is affected, you can get a single veneer. However, you can also get veneers for all your front teeth if they are needed. If that's the case, your dentist might make temporary veneers for you to wear until your next appointment when the permanent ones are put on.

Removing the top layer of enamel is not usually painful, so an anesthetic injection isn't always needed. However, if you are fearful of dental procedures, or if you have sensitive teeth, you may prefer the area to be numb first. Once the teeth are prepped, the dentist makes an impression of your teeth that will act as a mold for the dental lab to make the permanent veneers.

Getting The Veneers

When you go back to the dentist to have the veneers put on, the prep work on your teeth continues. Your teeth need to be clean for the veneers to bond well. Your dentist cleans and polishes your teeth, and then roughs up the surface so the adhesive clings better. Your dentist will place the veneers on your teeth, reposition and trim them until the fit is perfect. Once he or she is satisfied with their appearance, the veneers are permanently cemented to your teeth. The dental cement is cured with a light, and your new smile is ready to go.

Your dentist will probably schedule a follow up visit in a couple of weeks to make sure your bite is okay and to make any adjustments if they are needed. One thing you want to keep in mind is that the color of veneers is permanent. Porcelain can't be whitened like natural tooth enamel can. So if you want to whiten all your teeth, be sure to do it before you undergo the procedure so the teeth with veneers blend in and look natural. Contact Kimberling City Dental Center if you have questions.