Learn More About Dental Veneers

Patients who have teeth that have gaps, are chipped or stained, often rely on the dentist to provide an option for cosmetic dentistry, to improve the smile. One option that can be used is dental veneers. With dental veneers, a thin section of porcelain is configured to create the look of natural teeth. The porcelain is fixed to the existing teeth to create a strong and resilient tooth that contours to your teeth, matching the original enamel and providing a natural appearance.

Veneers are considered to be an option that is less intrusive than restructuring the teeth by using braces or crowns. Veneers can be used in several ways to change the look of your teeth including correcting a small misalignment or to close a gap between teeth. Many patients choose to have veneers placed on the teeth to create a straighter and brighter smile, correcting fractures within the teeth or discoloration.

How Are Veneers Placed on the Teeth?

Now that you know a little bit more about how veneers are used, it is important to learn how they are placed onto the teeth. The typical process of applying veneers will take one or two appointments with your dentist. A veneer that is prefabricated will need to be placed within one appointment. If a lab is creating the veneers for you, then it can take two visits for the application.

When the veneers are placed on the teeth, anesthesia is usually not used, unless the patient is sensitive to dental treatments. The tooth where the veneer will be placed will need to be cleaned and the dentist can then find the right color for the veneer. A small amount of enamel will be removed from the tooth to provide an area for placement of the veneer.

A temporary veneer will be put in place until the new one is ready in the lab. Once the porcelain veneer is created by the lab and ready, the dentist will then remove the temporary veneer and clean your tooth, preparing it for the veneer. An adhesive is used to prep the tooth and then cement added before the veneer is put in place. The dentist will then make sure the veneer is attached and contoured to fit.

Once in place, the tooth or teeth will be polished and ready for use. A follow-up will be scheduled to make sure the veneer is comfortable and working well.

Caring for Your Veneers

Once applied, you will need to take proper care of your veneers. You are to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would, using a non-abrasive toothpaste that has fluoride. It is recommended that you avoid drinking too much coffee or other drinks and foods that can stain your teeth, as veneers are susceptible to staining just as your natural teeth are.

At our Chippewa Falls office, we are ready to offer you quality veneer options for your cosmetic dentistry needs. Give our office a call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your veneer choices.