Dental veneers are the perfect cosmetic dental solution for patients who want to completely redesign their smile without orthodontics or invasive procedures. Veneers are thin shells made from of porcelain or resin composite materials that are custom-made to cover the front side of your teeth. Veneers work by covering up unsightly stains or chips, while also hiding uneven teeth, worn down teeth, and/or abnormally spaced teeth.
Receiving dental veneers is usually a multi-step process that involves at least three office-visits to complete. During the initial consultation, your dentist will perform a full examination and evaluate your teeth to ensure you are a candidate for veneers. On your next visit, he or she will begin the process by removing approximately ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface—this is roughly the same thickness of the veneer. Then your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, which is used to create the veneer.
Once the veneer is fabricated, it is ready to be bonded onto the tooth. Once your dentist has determined that the finished veneer’s shape and shade is correct, the veneer is ready to be bonded into place. However, before this happens, your dentist will apply a gel to the teeth in order to create a rough surface that the veneer can bond to. He or she will then apply the bonding agent and place the veneer.