Your smile is one of your best assets. However, cracked, chipped, stained teeth and unwanted gaps can ruin that smile and your self-esteem. Fortunately, thanks to modern dental advancements, such as tooth veneers, you can enjoy a beautiful, natural smile.
Getting a tooth veneer is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that you can usually get through three dental visits: one for a consultation and the rest for fabricating and applying the custom-made shells. Your dentist can administer the veneers on a single tooth or a group of teeth.
This article will discuss the types of tooth veneers, their benefits, diagnosis, and how the process works.
Types of Tooth Veneers
Porcelain or resin composite materials are the common materials of tooth veneers. Regarding durability, porcelain tooth veneers are more robust than resin veneers when gauging stain resistance. They also have a closer resemblance to the natural teeth’s appearance.
Since everyone’s dental health differs, you must consult your dentist about the type of tooth veneer material appropriate for your situation.
Benefits of Tooth Veneers
Tooth veneers have a natural-looking appearance that can help restore your smile and self-esteem. They’ll easily cover up chips, cracks, discoloration, and unwanted gaps.
The porcelain material is stain-resistant, and the gums can readily tolerate it. You can choose a color to whiten dark-colored teeth.
While tooth veneers usually don’t require much shaping like dental crowns, they are more robust and attractive.
Preparation Before the Procedure
You must consult your dentist about your desired outcome during the initial visit. They’ll examine your teeth to determine whether you need tooth veneers or another cosmetic dental procedure. They’ll also discuss the process and limitations. They may also X-Ray and take impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Before getting a tooth veneer, your dentist will reshape the surface to approximately equivalent to the protective mask’s thickness. Before they cut the enamel, you’ll determine whether you’ll anesthetize the targeted area.
After measuring the tooth surface and determining if they’ll anesthetize the targeted area, your dentist will create an impression of your tooth or a model. They’ll submit the model to a dental laboratory responsible for fabricating your tooth veneer. It usually takes two to four weeks before the laboratory returns the protective masks to your dentist.
In the meantime, they might apply temporary tooth veneers to your teeth.
The Fitting Process
After receiving the tooth veneers from the dental laboratory, your dentist will test them on your affected teeth to inspect their fit and color. Then, they’ll trim the materials several times to ensure they fit perfectly.
Your dentist can also change the color depending on the shade of the cement they’ll use. Afterward, they’ll clean, polish, and etch your tooth to prepare for the veneer placement.
Etching will roughen the tooth’s surface, enabling a more secure bonding procedure. Using a specific cement, your dentist will apply the veneer on your tooth before polishing it multiple times. After correctly positioning the tooth veneer, your dentist will shine a special beam on it to activate the chemical reactions in the cement; the light will make the glue harden quickly.
Lastly, your dentist will remove any extra cement, inspect your bite, and make the necessary modifications.
After your first visit, your dentist may ask you to return in two weeks to let them check your gum and confirm the tooth veneer’s proper placement.
Aftercare
Fortunately, tooth veneers don’t require any particular aftercare procedure. Besides your regular oral hygiene routine, you must also gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash and clean your teeth after eating and drinking.
Your dentist may also ask you to avoid foods and drinks that can cause stains, even if porcelain tooth veneers are stain-resistant.
Masking a Great Smile
Your smile can significantly impact your self-esteem and how people see you. Modern dental advancements such as tooth veneers can help restore a better smile.
Weston Dental Specialists Group offers high-quality tooth veneers for patients across Weston, Massachusetts. Book an appointment today!