Dental Veneers – How Dental Veneers Can Improve Your Smile
Many people have cosmetic concerns about their smile and teeth that can be resolved with veneers. However, it is important to consult a dentist before making treatment decisions.
A consultation with Veneers Las Vegas usually occurs at a preliminary appointment where dental X-rays may be accepted. This is followed by a meeting to prepare and construct the veneers, then a visit to apply them.

Porcelain veneers are a thin, porcelain shell that a cosmetic dentist can place over a tooth to help restore its appearance. They can cover chips, stains, and small gaps. A dentist can also use them to make teeth appear whiter. These veneers look very similar to natural tooth enamel and are strong. They are also stain-resistant. However, a person should not smoke or drink coffee or tea with these veneers on.
It’s important to find a cosmetic dentist who specializes in veneers. They will be able to choose the best shade for your smile. Often, people want to go for the whitest veneer available. However, this may not be the best option for everyone. The cosmetic dentist will take into account the color of a person’s other teeth and skin to determine what shade would be best.
During the first visit, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a very thin layer of enamel, no more than the thickness of a fingernail. They will then make an impression of the tooth, which is sent to a lab to be made into a veneer. The dentist will fit the patient with temporary restorations while waiting for the permanent ones to be ready.
Recovery from this procedure is very quick. A person can return to work after a few days. They may experience some slight discomfort or sensitivity at first. Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly will extend the life of a veneer. However, a person can expect to have to replace their veneers within 10 years. They will also need to replace them if they become chipped or damaged.
Although they’re not as common as porcelain veneers, resin composite veneers can also be used to improve your smile. They’re sculpted directly onto your teeth so that they can be quickly and easily applied, and they don’t require any lab work or temporaries. This makes them a viable option for patients who want to address gaps between their teeth, chipped or broken teeth, and misaligned teeth.
They’re typically a more affordable option than traditional veneers, and they can be repaired if damaged. However, because they’re not as durable as porcelain, it’s important to protect them with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist.
Before applying your composite veneers, your cosmetic dentist will prepare the surface by etching the teeth and then coating them with an adhesive glue. Once the tooth is ready, very thin layers of the composite resin are affixed to it. Then, the dentist will use a high-intensity light to harden the material.
The dentist may need to trim some of the enamel for a better fit, and they’ll then apply the composite resin – one very thin layer at a time. The dentist can then sculpt the veneers to shape them and create a natural appearance, and they’ll polish them to make sure they look shiny. Once they’re done, your dentist will clean the area and remove any residue from the process. They can then recommend some maintenance strategies to help your veneers last longer, such as avoiding eating or drinking anything that’s extremely hot or cold, and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss regularly to avoid plaque build-up, which can cause gum disease and decay, which can damage the veneers and your other natural teeth.
Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that can be bonded to a tooth’s surface. They can be used to mask one discoloured or injured tooth or they can be applied to multiple teeth to create a uniform appearance. The veneers are custom-made to match a person’s smile goals and can last 10 years or more with proper care.
During a dental bonding consultation, a dentist will discuss cosmetic goals and take X-rays to ensure the patient is eligible for veneers. The dentist will also check the condition of the tooth and gums, looking for signs of cavities, gum disease or any other issues that need to be addressed before pursuing the procedure.
Once the dentist determines that a person is an appropriate candidate for veneers, they will begin preparing the teeth for the application of the composite resin. The teeth are cleaned and roughened before a conditioning liquid is added to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth’s surface. A shade guide is then used to select a composite resin color that matches the natural teeth.
After the composite resin is selected, it is applied to the front of the tooth and shaped. It is then cured with a UV light to bind and harden the material. Afterwards, any excess cement is removed and the bite is checked to make sure it’s comfortable and secure.
Patients with veneers should avoid chewing on pens, biting their nails or using their teeth to open packages. They should also reduce the consumption of stain-causing foods and drinks, like red wine and coffee. This is because resin doesn’t resist stains as well as enamel. If a patient experiences long-term stains on their veneers, they may need to consider getting them replaced.
During the first dental veneers appointment, your dentist may administer a local anesthetic to ensure that the process is pain-free. Some dentists also offer nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, to help patients relax during the procedure. Then, your dentist will trim a small fragment of the tooth or teeth that will receive the veneers and remove a bit of the surrounding gum. This can lead to some discomfort for several days or weeks, but over-the-counter pain relievers can reduce this pain.
After numbing the area, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and then send this model to a lab where they’ll build your custom dental veneers. You’ll typically get temporary veneers for a few weeks while you wait for the laboratory to finish your permanent ones. Your dentist will then use the temporaries to test how they feel and look in your mouth, ensuring that the color, shape, and fit are perfect.
Once your permanent dental veneers arrive, you’ll return to the dentist to have them bonded and permanently placed. You might notice some rough spots on the teeth right after they are applied, but these tend to wear down over time with normal eating and brushing. If they don’t, you can talk to your dentist about having these rough patches smoothed out.
Because porcelain is a natural material that closely resembles the color of your tooth’s enamel, these restorations blend in naturally with the rest of your smile. Nevertheless, veneers do not protect the teeth beneath them from decay and cavities. Therefore, it’s important that you practice excellent oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly for cleanings by a dental hygienist. You should also avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, ice, or your fingernails and wear a mouth guard if you clench or grind your teeth at night or play sports.
This first appointment is a consultation visit to determine the appropriate type and shade of veneers for your smile. The dentist will look at the front and sides of your teeth, examine your bite and make a wax model of your mouth. They will also take X-rays of your mouth to see what’s going on beneath the surface.
To prepare the tooth, the dentist trims a small amount of enamel to create space for the veneer and ensure that it doesn’t impede your bite. They may also etch the tooth’s surface to provide a better bonding surface. This is done with a chemical that is safe for the mouth.
Then, a putty-like mold is created of the tooth with that layer of enamel removed. This is sent to a lab to be made into the final veneers. It typically takes between one and two weeks to get the veneers back from the lab.
Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will remove them from their packaging and inspect them for fit and color. This is an important step to ensure that you’re happy with the results. If something isn’t right, it’s much easier to change it at this stage before the dentist permanently cements the veneers to your teeth. Drilling them off later would be damaging to your teeth and very expensive.
During this ‘try in’ period, the dentist will ask you to chew and talk as they evaluate their look and placement. They’ll also check that the veneers are a good shade match for your skin tone and that they look natural in your mouth. After a few weeks, you’ll return to have the permanent veneers bonded and cemented to your teeth.