As in all medical procedures, the first step involves a lengthy and informative consultation with your dentist. It is important for you to communicate with your dentist the results you would like to achieve. Your dentist will examine your teeth during the appointment to see if dental veneers are appropriate for you. Your dentist may also take additional X-rays and in some cases possibly make additional impressions of your mouth and teeth to achieve the desired mold. Once a treatment plan has been discussed and agreed upon, we move on to the next step; preparation
Generally, your dentist will remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the tooth surface in preparation for your veneer. This 0.5 millimeter is nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer that will be added to the tooth surface. There is no need to be overly concerned about the pain. Your dentist will apply a commonly used local anesthetic to numb the area before trimming off the enamel. In some cases, local anesthetic may not even be needed. Next, your doctor will make an impression of your teeth. The impression mold is then sent to a dental laboratory which will construct your veneer. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for your dentist to receive your veneer from the laboratory.
Your dentist will temporarily place your veneer on your teeth to examine its fit and will check the color before he/she permanently cements it to your teeth. The fitting process is important and requires patience on both sides. Once the proper fit has been achieved, your teeth will then be prepared to receive the veneer by cleaning, polishing, and etching. A special bonding agent is applied to the veneer and the veneer will be placed on your teeth. Your dentist will then apply a special light beam to quicken the drying process of the bonding agent.
The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite, and making any final adjustments on the veneer as needed. Your dentist might ask you to come back in two weeks for a follow up in order to know how your gums are responding to your new veneer.
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