Veneers are the open secret behind the flawless smiles of many popular movie stars and media personalities, and advances in dental technology have made this remarkable cosmetic treatment affordable for the general public. While this procedure is safe, effective, and capable of concealing even extensive dental defects like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapenness, placing veneers involves permanent alterations of the treated teeth. Here’s a brief guide to how this is done and why it is a necessary part of the treatment process.
How Do Veneers Work?
Veneers are thin ceramic shells precisely crafted to mimic the ideal appearance of natural dental enamel, and they are permanently cemented over the teeth to resculpt them or cover up defects like cracks, chips, and stains. These devices can completely transform a patient’s smile with beautiful and lifelike restorations that are indistinguishable from natural dental structure, but a small amount of enamel must be removed for them to be placed. This ensures that the appliances can adhere properly to the teeth and lay flush with the rest of the smile.
A suitable candidate for veneers will be free from oral infections, but many patients with tooth decay and gum disease can qualify for the treatment after having these issues addressed with restorative work or periodontal therapy. Once you are cleared for the procedure, your cosmetic dentist will schedule you for at least two appointments several weeks apart.
How Are Veneers Placed?
During the first appointment, you will receive an appropriate anesthetic and possibly sedation to ensure your comfort before your dentist removes a small amount, usually about a millimeter, of enamel from the teeth being treated. Then, they will take bite impressions and fit your teeth with temporary restorations so you can get used to wearing them.
These impressions will be sent to a trusted dental lab where a skilled technician will use them to craft your final veneers. You’ll come back to your dentist’s office about two weeks after your first appointment to have your temporary restorations removed and your permanent veneers fixed in place. After that, you’ll be ready to show your beautiful new smile off to the world, and you can keep your veneers in great shape for fifteen years or more before replacing them if you practice excellent oral hygiene.
About the Practice
Dr. Nelson Y. Howard earned his dental degree at the UCLA School of Dentistry and completed his General Practice Residency at the V.A. Medical Center in West Los Angeles. He is proud to be a founding member of the West Coast Society for Cosmetic Dentistry and has completed thousands of hours of continuing education coursework. His offices in San Marcos and San Diego offer general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers. To book your consultation for veneers, contact his practice online.