Dental veneers are thin, custom-designed shells that are adhered to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are commonly used to address issues such as discoloration, chips, gaps, misalignment, and crooked teeth. They provide a natural-looking solution for those seeking to enhance their smile.
Before getting veneers, it’s important to understand the procedure it entails. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step procedure of getting dental veneers and explain how long it takes from start to finish to help you make an informed decision about whether this type of cosmetic dental treatment is the right choice for you.
Types of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers come in various types, with porcelain and composite being the most popular options.
Porcelain veneers are known for their strength, resistance to stains, and realistic appearance. They replicate the light-reflecting qualities of natural teeth, and with proper care, these type of veneers last 20 years or even longer.
Composite veneers are made from a resin material that closely resembles the color of natural teeth. While they tend to be more affordable, they are also more susceptible to staining and typically have a shorter lifespan of 7 to 10 years.
How veneers are done step by step?
The process of getting dental veneers involves several carefully planned stages, each of which is crucial for achieving the smile you desire.
1. Initial Consultation
The first phase begins with a comprehensive consultation. During this appointment, Dr.Delwyn Dick, DDS, will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to ensure they’re healthy enough for veneers. If there are any existing dental issues, like cavities or gum disease, those will need to be treated before veneer placement.
We will also discuss your smile goals to determine if veneers are the preferred approach for achieving the transformation you desire. In the case that they’re not, we can recommend alternative treatments that may be better suited for you, like dental implants or bridges.
2. Treatment Planning
Once we determine that you’re a good candidate for veneers, we will create a personalized treatment plan that addresses both the clinical and financial aspects of this procedure.
Based on your needs and budget, we can guide you in selecting the materials that will be used for your veneers. We will also provide you with the estimated overall cost, including the price for each veneer, any preparatory work that is needed, and post-procedure appointments.
3. Tooth Preparation
The dentist will prepare your teeth for the veneers by carefully removing a thin layer of enamel from the front surface.
For porcelain veneers, only about 0.5 mm is removed. This is roughly as thick as a fingernail. Composite veneers may require a little less enamel removal.
This is necessary for creating space for the veneer without making the tooth look bulky as well as allowing for the veneer to become properly aligned with the adjacent teeth. This process also helps establish a strong bond between the veneer and the natural tooth.
While enamel removal is generally not painful, Dr.Delwyn Dick, DDS may decide to use a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.
This stage is crucial for ensuring a proper fit and natural appearance of your new veneers.
4. Shade Selection
Selecting the right shade for your veneers involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure the veneers blend seamlessly with your existing teeth and overall appearance.
To choose the exact color that will match your natural teeth, the dentist uses shade guides and the color of the neighboring teeth as a reference point.
Some other factors that influence the shade selection are:
- Skin tone: Cooler tones may complement fair skin, while warmer tones may enhance darker skin.
- Eye color: Surprisingly, eye color can influence the best shade for your veneers. Lighter eyes might be enhanced by cooler, brighter shades, while darker eyes may suit warmer, more subdued tones.
- Facial features: While not directly affecting color choice, facial features can guide the shape of veneers, which complements the overall appearance.
- Personal preferences: Your desired aesthetic outcomes are important considerations. Some individuals opt for a more natural look, while others may choose to have a brighter shade.
It’s important to note that the veneer materials cannot be whitened and their color cannot be modified after they’ve been installed. If you desire to have whiter teeth, you will need to have them professionally whitened before choosing the veneer color and their final placement.
You can learn more about selecting the perfect shade color here.
5. Impression Taking
This part of the veneer process involves two main steps: creating dental impressions and placing temporary veneers.
There are two common ways to create impressions of your teeth. The traditional way is to use putty materials to create physical molds of your teeth. The other option process uses an intraoral scanner to create 3D digital models of your teeth. Both of these options provide detailed and precise results.
After the impressions are taken, temporary veneers will be applied to protect your prepared teeth while the permanent veneers are being made in a dental laboratory.
These temporary veneers are typically made from acrylic material and are not as durable as the final porcelain veneers, however, they serve multiple purposes, such as:
- Protecting your prepared teeth from sensitivity and potential damage.
- Allowing you to get an idea about the general shape and appearance of what your permanent veneers will look like.
- Maintaining the proper spacing between your teeth and preventing shifts that could affect the fit of your permanent veneers.
While wearing temporary veneers, you may need to adjust your dental hygiene routine and diet. Avoid flossing between the veneers and be cautious with hard or sticky foods to prevent them from becoming dislodged. If it happens to fall off, contact your dentist immediately for reapplication.
6. Veneer Fabrication
The veneer fabrication process is a meticulous procedure that is carried out by skilled dental technicians in specialized laboratories. The fabrication process can take up to two weeks for traditional porcelain veneers.
7. Bonding Process
The bonding process is the final step in which the permanent veneers are attached to the teeth, ensuring a secure and lasting fit.
The first thing the dentist will do is remove the temporary veneers and clean the prepared teeth to remove any debris or oils. An etching gel is applied to create microscopic “holes” in the tooth surface, enhancing adhesion. The etching process lasts for a few seconds, and then the teeth are rinsed.
A bonding agent or adhesive is then applied to both the tooth and the veneer. The chosen shade of dental cement is carefully placed inside the veneer, and the veneer is carefully positioned and pressed over the tooth. Excess cement is removed from the edges and each area of the veneer is light-cured, meaning that a special light is used to activate and harden the cement.
Once the cement is fully set, the dentist makes any necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit and bite alignment. Special smoothing drills are used to polish each veneer, giving them a natural shine. A final polish is applied to achieve a seamless blend with the adjacent teeth.
This meticulous process ensures that the veneers are securely bonded to the teeth, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional durability
How long do veneers take from start to finish?
The process of getting dental veneers typically takes between 3 to 5 weeks from start to finish. The average duration of the entire process is generally as follows:
- Initial consultation: 1 day
- Tooth preparation, impressions, and temporary veneer placement: 1 day
- Fabrication of veneers: 1 to 2 weeks depending on the type of veneer
- Porcelain veneers typically take 10 to 14 business days for fabrication
- Composite resin veneers can often be fabricated and placed in a single visit
- Final veneer placement: 1 day
The total in-chair time across these appointments usually ranges from 3 to 4 hours.
How long does it take to heal after veneers?
The recovery period after veneers are applied is relatively short. Most individuals can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. However, there is typically a 2-week adjustment period where some common symptoms may occur:
- Sensitivity: It’s normal to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for 1-2 weeks after getting tooth veneers.
- Mild discomfort: Some patients may feel slight soreness or discomfort, especially if enamel removal was involved. This usually subsides within a few days
- Gum healing: The gums may take about a week to fully adjust to the new veneers.– Adaptation: It can take a few weeks to get used to the feel of the veneers in your mouth.
Most symptoms resolve within 1-2 weeks. However, fully adapting to the veneers, including speech and bite adjustments, may take up to a month. If sensitivity or discomfort persists beyond two weeks after the veneer procedure, call us for a follow-up appointment.
Conclusion
Enhancing your smile with dental veneers can be a life-changing decision, and it’s important to work with an experienced dentist like Dr. Delwyn Dick, DDS, who specializes in this type of dental procedure as well as dental implants, bridges, and teeth whitening. With more than 25 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, you can feel confident that you’re receiving the best care throughout the entire process.
Dental veneers not only provide a solution for various cosmetic issues but also restore your self-esteem and confidence in your smile. If you’re considering this transformative treatment, we encourage you to take the next step.
Call Kootenai Dental Group in Coeur d’Alene, ID at 208-762-8750 today to schedule your free consultation.