One of the key advantages of porcelain veneers is that they can make an instant and, often dramatic, change to your smile, and this is what makes them so popular. In fact, the recent upsurge in online beauty influencers has seen this cosmetic procedure skyrocket. Here at Sydney Laser Dental Care, for example, we can give you a better, long-lasting, confidence-boosting smile in just one visit using the latest CEREC technology. But we’re guessing you didn’t come here to learn about the benefits of such cosmetic procedures but instead want to know about the process of getting veneers. So, let’s do exactly that.
Step #1 – The initial consultation
Like many other cosmetic dental treatments, the process of getting veneers starts with a consultation. Let’s assume, for the purpose of this blog, that you’re already a good candidate. E.g., your oral health is generally good, and you don’t have moderate to severe crowding or misaligned teeth. In this case, the first step in a porcelain veneers treatment would be a consultation. During the consultation, our cosmetic dentist will sit down with you and discuss what you hope to achieve from getting dental veneers. Then, after taking a series of photos, the dentist can explain your new look using the latest visual software.
Not only do you get to see what the end smile looks like before undergoing a veneers procedure, but any adjustments can be made on screen until you’re happy. Once everything is signed off, we’ll provide a treatment plan explaining what needs to be done and the overall cost.
At this point, If you want to know more about any aspect of getting porcelain veneers, we will also take the time to answer any questions or concerns you have. Remember, for the most part, getting dental veneers is irreversible, so you need to be fully confident in your decision-making process. Once you’re happy and decide that a veneers procedure is right for you, we’ll get you booked in for the next stage.
Step #2 Tooth preparation
The next step in the process of getting veneers is to prepare the tooth or teeth. Remember we said that undergoing porcelain veneers is an irreversible process? That’s because a tiny slither of tooth enamel needs to be removed from the tooth to accommodate each veneer. If this did not happen, the dental veneer would not sit flush in the smile line. This process doesn’t harm the tooth in any way, but because enamel can’t grow back, it can leave the tooth sensitive if it does not have a protective cover – in this case, porcelain veneers. Removing tooth enamel is quick and carried out under a local anaesthetic, so it’s comfortable for patients too.
After sufficient tooth enamel has been removed, the steps or stages can differ slightly, depending upon the technology available. Some dentists like us at Sydney Laser Dental Care use CEREC. CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics and entails using a camera, computer, and 3D milling equipment to design and manufacture exact-match porcelain veneers the same day while you wait.
This in-house milling system means that once tooth enamel has been removed, we can fit you with a permanent set of natural-looking porcelain veneers within a few hours.
Alternatively, conventional methods involve creating a series of moulds and sending them away to a dental laboratory for fabrication. In the meantime, you’ll be fitted with a set of temporaries so the teeth are not left exposed.
Temporary porcelain veneers have advantages in that you can trial your smile for several weeks while your permanent dental veneers are made. Any adjustments can easily be made before your permanent tooth covers are fitted.
Step #3 – The final fit
As already stated, the final fitting of your permanent porcelain veneers may be the same day or several weeks later, but either way, the process of getting veneers remains the same. Firstly an etching gel is applied to the tooth or teeth. This roughens the surface, allowing any dental veneers to properly bond to the teeth. Next, any veneers are bonded into position, so they sit perfectly flush within the smile line. In most cases, a harmless UV light is used to cure the cement bond. Then any excess cement is carefully removed – finally, your porcelain veneers are buffed and polished to complete the transformation.
So there you have it, the process of getting dental veneers explained. As you can see, at most, the veneers procedure takes just three visits to complete, one for the consultation, one for the tooth preparation and the final time for the fitting. But in other cases, particularly with CEREC technology, treatment is typically completed in just two visits.
If you’d like to learn more about any aspect of getting dental veneers, or would like to see if you’re eligible, book an appointment with our experienced team at Sydney Laser Dental Care. We currently offer a promotion whereby we can fit eight high-quality, long-lasting, natural-looking dental veneers for as little as $10,000. To find out more, visit our website and call to reserve your smile consultation.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References:
The Atlantic – Why Does Everyone Suddenly Have Fake Fancy Teeth?
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/02/dental-veneers-instagram-teeth-teeth-teeth/582010
Colgate.com – What is CEREC in Dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry