3 Steps to a Better Smile through Porcelain Veneers
Do you sometimes feel self-conscious about your smile? What if we told you that our Hilliard cosmetic dentist could improve the appearance of your smile with porcelain veneers? These thin, shell-like coverings are adhered to the front of your teeth and mimic natural enamel while also camouflaging unwanted imperfections. With proper daily care, should last a decade or more before they need to be replaced.
Here are 3 major steps to any .
Who Are Veneers For?
Patients who are candidates for porcelain veneers usually identify with the following dental issues:
- Tooth discoloration
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Gaps in between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Irregularly shaped teeth
While getting new veneers can be a reality for any patient seeking to improve the look of their teeth, not everyone may qualify. Before recommending dental veneers, our local cosmetic dentist will thoroughly examine your oral health and ensure your teeth and gums are in good condition.
If you have untreated cavities, gum disease, or severely weakened teeth, those issues must be resolved before proceeding with the placement of veneers. Additionally, patients who grind their teeth may require a night guard to protect their veneers from damage.
The Process of Getting Veneers Involves:
1) A One-on-One Consultation
Your first step in the is to meet with Dr. Gibson. With his years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, he can evaluate your teeth and determine if veneers are right for you.
Since all patients have different oral health needs, it only makes sense that Dr. Gibson would want to help you discuss all your options. For example, a dental crown may be more appropriate for a fragile tooth. You will also want to consider the cost of dental veneers and whether it’s covered under your dental insurance policy.
2) Tooth Preparation
If traditional porcelain veneers are recommended after reviewing your dental history, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step: preparation. Before the procedure, we’ll need to properly prepare your tooth enamel to receive the porcelain veneers.
To prevent your teeth from looking big and bulky, the top ½ millimeter layer of your tooth will be filed down to make room for your new dental veneers. During this time, you may ask our staff or dentist for local anesthesia if you experience any dental discomfort.
Once the surface of your teeth has been prepared, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and send them off to a dental lab. Your custom dental veneers will be created from these impressions and should be ready in about one to two weeks.
Keep in mind that the removal of tooth enamel is permanent and cannot be reversed. Once it’s gone, it doesn’t have the ability to grow back. This is something to consider if you’re on the fence about getting veneers as part of asmile makeover.
3) The Final Application
In the procedure phase, Dr Gibson will make sure that your veneers are properly tailored to the contours of your teeth. That way, you can feel assured that you are receiving a custom fit that will last for years to come. The slight alterations to your veneers may include trimming excess material or adjusting the color to match your natural tooth enamel.
Once Dr. Gibson is satisfied with how the veneer fits and looks, he will prepare your tooth for the bonding process. The receiving tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched so it can create a strong bond with the porcelain shell.
Afterward, a special kind of dental cement is used to attach the veneer to the tooth. Dr. Gibson will then make sure to remove any excess cement and check your bite to see if it is in proper alignment.
Schedule a Veneers Consultation Today
Our cosmetic dentist in Hilliard, OH, would love to speak with you about veneers if you’re interested in this transformative option for your smile. Call Gibson Dental today at (614) 878-9562 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.