Dental veneers are the reason almost anyone can attain the look of an ideal celebrity. This is why there has been an increase in the number of people seeking to get this perfect smile over the years.
This is a simple guide that will expose you to some vital information about dental veneers and if they are a suitable option for you.
Dental veneers: what are they?
Dental veneers are customised wafer-thin, tooth-coloured material designed to cover the flaws of the front teeth and make them look better. These shell-like materials are attached to the front of the teeth. The use of dental veneers can alter the colour, size, shape, length/width of the teeth and can be useful for treating gaps and irregular teeth.
Why do people use veneers?
People who use veneers do so for any of these common reasons:
- To cover heavily discoloured teeth
- To cover eroded teeth
- For broken or chipped teeth
- To correct the shape of a tooth
- To close the gaps between teeth
Do you have any problem related to this or worse? Our cosmetic dentist has what it takes to transform your smile.
What is the procedure for getting veneers?
The patient may need to visit the dentist for several times before the dental veneers are fitted. The process will be outlined in the following stages:
- The diagnosis and planning of treatment
This occurs during the initial appointment with your dentist. Here you will share your concerns and expected results with him. You have to pinpoint the most important things you want to achieve from this treatment, and having a photograph of a person with the target result can help him better to meet your needs.
In as much as this visit will be mostly for discussion, your dentist will examine you and tell if the use of dental veneers is appropriate for you. He will also tell if the process is what you need to achieve your desired results. Here, you will learn of the procedure it involves, the time it will take, the most important considerations before the treatment, and the cost of getting it. If need be, the dentist will take impressions and x-rays of your teeth and mouth.
- Test running
Even we will confess that it is a daunting task to carry out cosmetic work at the front part of the teeth. This is why we work hand in hand with the laboratory to produce the diagnostic wax-up models of your teeth with the veneers applied. At this point, we choose to work with the patients to see if there is an adjustment that should be done before carrying out the procedure on your teeth.
- The preparation stage
The work for this stage is done on the tooth to get it ready for the application of veneers. It is a comfortable procedure, and it can be done while you lie back, watching an interesting video from a DVD. Then your dentist will scrape out about 0.5 millimetres of the enamel of your tooth. This shaven amount is equal to the amount of veneers that will be applied. The dentist will then take another impression of your tooth and send it to the laboratory. The lab will then construct your new veneers and after about 2 weeks (since that is the standard time it takes for the laboratory to finish its work), you will be reckoned for the permanent veneers. However, we will provide you with some temporary dental veneers before for you to use until the permanent one is ready.
- Fitting the veneers
Before your dentist fits the permanent veneers on your teeth, he will show you the models which he created in the lab. If you like what you see, he will go on to remove the temporary veneers from the teeth. Still here, the dentist will place the veneers on your tooth and examine how they look before doing the final cementing. You will have the privilege of seeing it in the mirror if that is possible.
The next step in preparing the tooth for the veneers, he will have to clean the teeth, polish and etch it so that it become rough enough to be able to hold the veneers that will be applied. At this point, the dentist will be all serious about keeping the tooth dry since wetness will affect the glue. So, he will ensure your mouth is open, and he will also shut up as he concentrates. Then he will apply the glue to the veneer on your tooth and properly position it. Next, he will set the veneers over a blue curing light which causes the glue and veneers to dry quickly by activating the chemicals in the cement.
Lastly, your dentist will remove the excess cement if any, and then he will examine your bite, and make the last adjustment where necessary. Now the time for the surprise! He will show you your new smile in a perfect mirror.
- The aftercare
When it comes to dental veneers, you cannot do without the aftercare. Our dental team will require you to come for a follow-up visit after some weeks of fitting in your dental veneers. They will evaluate your gums and see how they are responding to the veneers and if everything is working out well.
Maintenance of veneers
Veneers last for a long time, though not forever; however, many veneers are not reversible. This means that you cannot just remove them and go-round with your natural teeth. If you care for and maintain your veneers as you should, they should last up to 10 years for you. This, however, is dependent on some factors. For your case, your dentist will tell you the expected duration for it to last.
You can find out more about dental veneers by contacting us or visiting our dental practice. You can also book an appointment to get dental veneers treatment in London from our cosmetic dentist.
