What Kind of Preparation Is Required for Dental Veneers?

If you have mild to moderate aesthetic concerns about your teeth, then getting dental veneers at Steven C. Hewett, DDS, in Champions Gate, FL might be a good option for you. Veneers offer patients the opportunity to finally have a perfect smile. For patients who feel anxious about this procedure, sedation dentistry is always an option. Learn more about the veneer process before your appointment.

Veneers cannot be placed directly on tooth enamel, which means your teeth will need to be prepped before the veneer shell can be placed. Trimming the enamel away and shaping the tooth will ensure the shell can be bonded to the tooth securely so you can have long-lasting results that look and feel natural.

Some patients may qualify for no-prep veneers, which require very little enamel removal to prepare the teeth for veneer bonding. Not all patients are candidates for no-prep veneers. Patients who have misaligned teeth, large teeth, or bulky teeth are not qualified for no-prep veneers. Patients who have a history of teeth grinding are also not eligible for no-prep veneers.

The process of getting veneers will generally take several weeks. Most of the time, you will need a few appointments, which will include a consultation, a tooth preparation appointment, a veneer bonding appointment, and a follow-up appointment about a week after the veneers are placed. The entire process for getting veneers will include:

Your first appointment will be a consultation and a comprehensive dental exam. Your dental exam will check your teeth for signs of cavities, gum disease, or untreated infections. If any of these issues are detected, your dentist may recommend treating these concerns before you continue the veneer process. Images of your teeth will also be taken during the consultation to help plan your veneer procedure.

During your consultation, you will need to decide whether porcelain or composite resin dental veneers are most appropriate for you. Porcelain veneers tend to be more durable since they are made with ceramic, glass, and porcelain. These veneers also tend to be stain-resistant. Composite resin veneers are a little more affordable, but the acrylic material may stain and only last a few years.

Your second appointment will be for cleaning your teeth and trimming enamel to prepare for veneers. The enamel trimming process is essential so the veneer can sit flush with the teeth and gums. If the tooth enamel is not shaved away, the veneer may noticeably protrude and appear unnatural. Usually, the enamel is only trimmed down 0.5 mm to prepare the tooth for veneer bonding.

Along with enamel trimming, your teeth may need to be shaved and shaped. It’s common to shape the sides and bottom of the teeth during this process to ensure the veneer is straight when it is bonded to the tooth. Shaping the teeth will also make sure there is enough room for the veneer to sit comfortably in the mouth, just like natural teeth.

Your dentist will also take an impression of your teeth during your second appointment. The impression of your teeth will be sent to a lab so your veneers can be created to match the precise measurements of your teeth. It can take two to three weeks for your veneers to be created and sent back to your dentist.

The last step of your second appointment will be the application of temporary veneers, which will protect your teeth while your permanent veneers are being created. Temporary veneers can also give you a preview of your final results since your dentist can easily adjust these veneers before your permanent veneers are created. Adjustments can include thinning the veneer or altering the shade of the temporary veneers.

Your last appointment will be for the veneer bonding procedure. This procedure can take an hour if you are only bonding a few teeth. If you are bonding more than one or two teeth, your procedure may take longer. A special cement will be used to permanently bond the veneer to the tooth. The veneer will be adjusted to ensure a good fit and an ideal tooth shade.

A follow-up appointment is vital to check that the veneers are settling well in your mouth. Some patients may need time to adjust to chewing and talking after veneers are placed. The follow-up appointment will check the health of your gums and assess the teeth for any sensitivity. After this follow-up exam, you will only need to attend regular dental cleanings once or twice a year.

Temporary veneers are only meant to last a few weeks, but because these veneers will not be as closely bonded to your teeth as permanent veneers, it’s essential to take good care of your teeth during this stage. You may not be able to floss your teeth because temporary veneers do not have gaps; however, you should brush your teeth twice a day. You should avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods, as well as very cold, hot, and sweet foods.

Sedation dentistry may be a good idea for you if you experience any anxiety when you go to the dentist. Although the process of getting dental veneers is not painful or intense, many patients still feel anxious when a dentist is performing a procedure. Sedation dentistry will ensure you are comfortable and calm during every step of your veneer procedure. If sedation is used during your appointment, you will need to arrange for transportation.

Veneers are an ideal solution to correct minor cosmetic flaws and can last for up to 10 years or more. To prepare for veneers, your teeth will need to be trimmed and shaved, so you may want to ask about sedation during your procedure. Contact Steven C. Hewett, DDS, in Champions Gate, FL to schedule your veneer consultation today.