Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to improve the patient’s teeth and give a pleasing and beautiful smile.These veneers are custom-made porcelain shells that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. This treatment conceals chips,discolorations and other cosmetic imperfections of the patient’s teeth. Veneers can also alter the patient’s tooth position, tooth shape, size, and color.
During the consultation for this treatment, the dentist takes photos of the patient’s teeth, face, and current smile. The dentist also discusses the expected improvements in the patient’s teeth positioning, shade of the teeth, and the enhancements that porcelain veneers can do for the look of the patient’s smile.
The entire duration of the treatment can take up to 2 to 3 dental visits. During this period, a mock up of a smile design will be used as temporary veneers so that the patient can visualize the end result of this smile makeover.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Aside from improving the look of a person’s smile, porcelain veneers can correct the following dental issues
- Permanently stained or discolored teeth
- Chipped or worn out teeth
- Diastemas (spaces between the teeth)
- Mildly crooked or misaligned teeth
- Crowded teeth
What You Need to Know About Porcelain Veneers
Teeth Preparation
The process of teeth preparation for porcelain veneers is fairly conservative. It usually requires a minimal amount of tooth reduction (approximately .5 mm) in the facial side (front) of the teeth. Reduction of teeth will also depend on the patient’s teeth position.
The duration of the teeth preparation process may take at least 2 hours. After teeth preparation, the dentist will be taking an impression or a mold of the patient’s teeth to be sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers.
Application of Veneers
On the patient’s second visit, the dentist will test the veneers on the patient’s teeth to check the fit, shade, and length. The veneers are also modified by the dentist during this stage to ensure a good end result.
Once the porcelain veneers are placed, a cement is used to bond the veneers to the patient’s teeth. This process may take at least 2 hours.
Limiting Factors for Porcelain Veneers
These are some factors that may hinder a patient from getting Porcelain veneers:
- Unhealthy Teeth
- Unhealthy Gums
- Severe Crowding/Malocclusions
- Under 18 years of age
