What You Need to Know About Porcelain Veneers
In the field of dentistry, a veneer is a thin material that is placed over a tooth for aesthetic purpose or to protect a tooth from additional damage. One type of veneer is the porcelain veneer wherein thin pieces of porcelain are used to recreate the natural look of the teeth and add strength that is similar to the natural enamel of the tooth.
Porcelain Veneer Procedure
The procedure of getting a dental veneer will require three visits to your dentist. The first one will be the consultation, the second to make the veneers, while the third involves applying the porcelain veneers to your teeth.
Diagnosis and Treatment Procedure
The very first step involves visiting your dentist and letting him know what you want to happen to your teeth. Are there some goals that you want to achieve? During this first trip to the dentist, your teeth will be examined to determine whether you are a candidate for veneers. Porcelain veneers are not for everyone. X-rays may also be taken to create impressions of your mouth and teeth. This is where you get to discuss the pros and cons of the procedure.
Preparing the Tooth
During preparation of your tooth for the porcelain veneer procedure, your dentist will scrape about a half millimetre of enamel from the surface of your tooth. This is also the thickness of the veneer that will be added to your tooth.
The area will be anesthetized if there is a need. You and your dentist will have to come up with a decision to numb or not to numb the area.
The next step in the preparation of your tooth will be the creation of the impression of your tooth. This impression is sent to the dental laboratory that manufactures your veneer. It takes about a week or two for the porcelain veneers to go back to the dental clinic.
Cementing the Porcelain Veneer
Before your dentist permanently cements the porcelain veneer to your tooth, it will be temporarily placed first to check the fit and colour. If the fit and colour require correction, your dentist will do the necessary shade adjustment and trimming.
A special cement is used to attach the veneer to your tooth. After this, a special beam will be applied to the porcelain veneer to activate the chemicals in the cement to harden it quickly.
The last steps of this procedure will be to remove any excess cement and checking your bite. A follow-up visit may be required to check on how your gums are adapting to the veneer and to examine the placement of the porcelain veneer as well.