Dental veneers are custom-made ultra-thin shells of tooth colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. The veneers are bonded adhesively to the front of the tooth to fix the look of teeth that are chipped, discolored, misaligned, uneven, worn down, or abnormally spaced. Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure that creates a bright, white smile with beautifully aligned, shapely teeth.
Beautiful Lake Ridge Smiles uses veneers that are constructed of porcelain as they are thought to be more natural looking and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth and are known for their abilities to resist stains. Dr. Wiesse will pay close attention to the patients surrounding teeth and design each veneer to complement the overall smile resulting in a beautiful, attractive new smile.
What Dental Problems can Veneers Solve?
Dental veneers can make most issues concerning unattractive teeth better, including worn enamel, wear and tear, genetics, and uneven teeth. Over time the protective layer that covers our teeth called enamel becomes worn down, gets duller, and becomes discolored. This is often the result of genetics but may also be attributed to diet and the food and drinks that stain our teeth. The natural wear of teeth occurs as we get older and results in a less esthetically pleasing appearance. Our teeth are more prone to chipping and cracking, and veneers may be recommended to remedy this occurrence. Additionally, veneers have been known to provide benefits to the following:
Crooked teeth
Chipped teeth
Cracked teeth
Spaced teeth
Discolored teeth
Misshapen teeth
A braces alternative
In addition to being utilized as a cosmetic dentistry procedure, veneers can also serve a functional purpose by protecting the surface of a damaged tooth. Often time’s dental veneers can eliminate the need for more invasive tooth preparation, such as the need for a dental crown. The thin nature of veneers requires little to no tooth reshaping to bond them to the tooth.
Dental Veneers Procedure
A dental veneer procedure usually takes three trips to the dentist- the first for the initial consultation and two to make and install the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the application process as described below:
Initial Consultation- The initial consultation is between you and Dr. Wiesse to discuss the result that you wish to achieve. He will perform a full examination and evaluation of your teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. Dr. Wiesse may also take x-rays and make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
Preparation-The procedure begins with the preparation of the tooth. This entails removing the discolored or unsightly portion of the tooth and meticulously shaping the tooth in preparation for the new veneer. Once we have shaped the tooth, we will take an impression. This impression will be sent to our lab where your new restoration will be crafted. While the new veneers are created, we will provide you with a temporary restoration. Our temporary restorations will resemble your natural teeth so that you can continue with your daily life without worrying about a missing or incompatible tooth.
Application-On your third and final visit, Dr. Wiesse will temporarily place the veneer on your tooth to examine its fit and color before it is permanently attached. To achieve the proper fit, Dr. Wiesse will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer as needed. Before the veneer is bonded to your tooth, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and roughened to allow for a strong bonding process. To properly affix the veneer to your tooth, the dentist will apply a special light beam to the veneer which activates chemicals in the bonding cement that cause it to cure very quickly. Finally all excess bonding cement is removed, your bite is evaluated and any final adjustments are made to the veneer as necessary. You will probably be asked to return for a follow-up visit to ensure the veneer placement has been successful and to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer(s).
The color of veneers can improve upon that of dark teeth
Veneer Alternatives
There are alternatives to dental veneers and you can discuss these with Dr. Wiesse to determine which ones may or may not be appropriate to you. The choices include bonding and crowns.
Dental Bonding- Dental bonding is applying a tooth-colored resin to the tooth to restore it from the effects of wear and tear, aging, decay, spacing, and more. The process is similar to that of veneers however there are no veneers applied, the resin itself is used to shape the tooth to its desired profile.
Dental Crown- Dental crowns are a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth to restore its shape and size, and to improve its appearance. They are cemented into place, and are typically permanent restorations of teeth.
For more information on veneers or to schedule a consultation please contact our office at your convenience. Our knowledgeable and friendly team is happy to help address any issues or concerns you may have.
