Porcelain
veneers are ultra-thin shells of ceramic material, which are
bonded to the front of teeth. This procedure requires little or no anesthesia,
and can be the ideal choice for improving the appearance of the front
teeth. Porcelain veneers are placed to mask discolorations, to brighten
teeth, and to improve a smile. Highly resistant to permanent staining
from coffee, tea, or even cigarette smoking, the wafer-thin porcelain
veneers can achieve a tenacious bond to the tooth, resulting in an esthetically
pleasing naturalness that is unsurpassed by other restorative options.
Why a porcelain veneer?
Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations.
They provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth's
color, size, or shape. Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects,
such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of
a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings
in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth
that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers. Generally, veneers
will last for many years, and the technique has shown remarkable longevity
when properly performed.
What happens during the procedure?
Patients need three appointments for the entire
procedure: diagnosis and treatment planning, preparation, and bonding.
Diagnosis
and treatment planning: It's critical that you take an active
role in the smile design. Spend time in the decision-making and
planning of the smile. Understand the corrective limitations of
the procedure. Have more than one consultation, if necessary, to
feel comfortable that your dentist understands your objectives.
Preparation of teeth:
This appointment will take from one to two hours. To prepare the teeth
for the porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for
the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half a millimeter
of the tooth is removed, which may require a local anesthetic. At this
appointment, a mold is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory
for the fabrication of the veneers. This can take about one to two weeks.
If the teeth are too unsightly a temporary veneer can be placed, at an
additional cost.
Bonding of veneers:
This appointment will take about one or two hours. First, the dentist
places the veneers with water or glycerine on the teeth to check their
fit and get a sense of the shade or color. While the veneers are resting
on your teeth, view the esthetic results, and pay particular attention
to the color. At this point, the color of the veneers can still be adjusted
with the shade of the cement to be used. The color cannot be altered
after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed
with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched
between the veneer and tooth, a visible light beam initiates the release
of a catalyst to harden the cement.
How about maintenance?
For about a week or two, you will go through a
period of adjustment as you get used to your "new" teeth
that have been changed in size and shape. Brush and floss daily.
After one or two weeks, you'll return for a follow-up appointment.
Have realistic expectations
Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect
replacements. It's not uncommon to see slight variations in the color
of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural
teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure can greatly enhance your smile, and
can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem.
