Once you and your dentist have made the decision to beautify your smile with porcelain veneers, you may be wondering what to expect next. Simply put, the process to place porcelain veneers involves two steps to complete.
As you were determining if veneers were in your future, your dentist probably explained that the placement of veneers requires altering the structure of your natural teeth. Shaving a layer of the surface of your teeth off to accommodate the porcelain veneer is the first step. The amount of enamel that is removed is about the same thickness of the veneer, usually one millimeter or less. Discuss with your dentist if you would be more comfortable with a local anesthetic during this part of the procedure.
Once your tooth structure has been altered, your dentist will make a mold of your teeth to be sent to a dental laboratory to aid in the fitting of the custom fit veneers. The construction of your veneers normally takes one to two weeks. Your dentist will fit you with temporary veneers during the period that the lab is finishing your permanent veneers.
When the permanent veneers are complete, your dentist will remove the temporary veneers and proceed with the second phase of the process. Your new veneers will be checked for correct fit and color, and any necessary adjustments will be made. Finally, the veneer is permanently adhered to the teeth with a strong bonding adhesive.
Finally, you will return to your dentist after a few weeks to check the fit of your new veneers, as well as to check the other parts of your mouth to make sure they are adjusting well. With your new porcelain veneers successfully in place, you can enjoy years with a beautiful smile.
