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What are Dental Veneers?

A dental veneer is a thin layer of synthetic material (porcelain or composite) that is bonded to the tooth’s surface. Veneers are a great alternative to otherwise painful dental procedures to improve the appearance of your smile.

Common problems that Veneers will address:

Spaces between the teeth
Broken or chipped teeth
Permanently stained or discoloured teeth
Crooked or misshapen teeth

Veneers are often referred to as “Instant Orthodontics”. A substantial aesthetic effect can be obtained with a veneer and minimal tooth preparation is required.

How Are Veneers Applied?

The first part of the procedure is a consultation with your dentist. Let your dentist know about the results you want to achieve after the treatment.

Your dentist will examine your mouth and also review your medical history to determine whether you’re suitable for veneers. You may be asked to take X-rays. Your dentist will also educate you about what veneers can and cannot do to set your expectations.

If you’re qualified and you agree to limitations of the procedure, you may now proceed to the next stage – the actual procedure. Veneers are applied to the teeth in 2 visits to the dentist:

Visit # 1

Veneer Preparation: The teeth are prepared by removing 0.3 to 0.5 mm of enamel (the thickness of a fingernail) to allow room for the veneer layer. An impression of the teeth is taken and sent to the specialized dental laboratory that will create the veneers.

Visit #2

Veneer Bonding: Bonding involves all the steps that permanently attach the veneer to the tooth. After a cleaning of the tooth, the veneer is bonded to the tooth with special dental cement. This dental cement is then hardened with a blue curing light.

The steps may change depending on the material that you choose for your veneers. Porcelain and composite resin are the most commonly used.

With porcelain veneers, a mold or impression of your teeth will be necessary. For composite resin veneers, on the other hand, your dentist can sculpt the material right after preparing your teeth. Composite resin veneers, hence, can be completed faster.

What to Remember After Getting Veneers

Test your comfort level. Before leaving the dental office, have a feel of your bite. If there’s something off or unusual, let your dentist know so it can get fixed immediately.
Veneers may break. Avoid exposing your veneers under pressure as they may chip. Don’t use your teeth for opening packages, biting fingernails and other hard objects.
Maintain good dental care. Keep the area of your teeth around and under veneers free of decay or cavities. Stay committed to good oral hygiene habits.

Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss any aspect of your dental health – we don’t charge for giving advice!