Veneers can change your smile by correcting issues like discoloration, chips, gaps, or misalignments. This cosmetic dental solution involves placing thin porcelain shells over the front of your natural teeth to create a beautiful, uniform appearance. If you’re considering veneers, understanding the complete process from consultation to final placement can help you feel more comfortable about your decision.
At Eckland Family Dentistry, we tailor this transformative journey to each patient’s unique needs. We use a risk-based approach, tailoring treatments individually to minimize failure and future disease. Our comprehensive assessment process helps us develop personalized care plans that balance aesthetics, functionality, and long-term oral health.
Initial Consultation and Planning
The process begins with a thorough consultation where you’ll discuss your smile goals and concerns with your dentist. During this appointment, your dentist will:
- Ensure you’re a good candidate for veneers by evaluating your oral health
- Take photos and possibly X-rays of your current smile
- Discuss the shade, shape, and size options that would best complement your facial features
- Review alternative treatment options if applicable
- Explain the benefits and limitations of veneers
At Eckland Family Dentistry, we use state-of-the-art technology to show you a preview of your results, helping you visualize the transformation before committing to treatment. This ensures the final outcome meets your expectations.
Preparation Appointment
Once you’ve decided to proceed with veneers, the next step is the preparation appointment. This visit typically includes:
- Local anesthetic to ensure your comfort
- Removal of a thin layer of enamel (typically 0.5mm or less) from the front surface of each tooth receiving a veneer
- Taking precise impressions of your prepared teeth
- Putting in temporary veneers while your permanent ones are being crafted
The amount of enamel removed is minimal but necessary to ensure the veneers fit perfectly with your surrounding teeth and look natural. We will take great care to preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible while making space for the veneers.
The impressions taken during this appointment are transferred to a dental lab where expert technicians create your custom veneers. This fabrication process typically takes about two weeks, during which you’ll wear temporary veneers to protect your prepared teeth and preview your new smile.
What Happens at the Dental Laboratory?
While you’re wearing your temporary veneers, skilled ceramists at a dental laboratory are meticulously crafting your permanent veneers. This process combines artistry and technology to create restorations identical to natural teeth.
The ceramists use the impressions of your prepared teeth to create models on which they layer dental porcelain. Each veneer is individually made to match the specified shade, translucency, and shape discussed during your consultation. Modern dental ceramics can be indistinguishable from natural teeth when properly fabricated.
For complex cases, your dentist may request a “wax-up” model that allows you to preview and approve the shape and alignment before the final veneers are created. This additional step helps ensure the final results meet your expectations.
Final Placement and Adjustments
When your permanent veneers are done, you’ll return to the dental office for placement. This appointment includes:
- Removal of the temporary veneers
- Cleaning of your natural teeth
- Trial placement of the permanent veneers to check fit and appearance
- Any necessary adjustments to ensure proper fit and bite alignment
- Permanent bonding of the veneers using special dental cement
- Final polishing and bite check
Your dentist will first place the veneers temporarily with water or glycerin to allow you to see how they look before permanent bonding. This “try-in” phase is your opportunity to request any final adjustments to the shape or shade.
Once you’re satisfied with the appearance, we will permanently bond the veneers to your teeth. This involves treating both the veneer and your natural tooth with materials that create a strong chemical bond when joined together. After bonding, your dentist will remove excess cement, check your bite, and make final adjustments.
Aftercare and Maintenance
After your veneers are placed, you may notice some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days, which is normal as your teeth adjust. We will provide specific care instructions, but generally, you should do the following:
- Continue regular brushing and flossing as you would for natural teeth
- Get non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the veneer surface
- Wear a mouthguard nightly if you grind your teeth
- Avoid biting directly into very hard foods with your veneered teeth
- Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings
With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or longer. Routine dental visits help us monitor your veneers and address any issues before they compromise your results.
Get Your Dream Smile at Eckland Family Dentistry
At Eckland Family Dentistry, we take pride in our risk-based approach to cosmetic dentistry, carefully balancing form, function, and health to achieve optimal results. Our team understands that your smile is unique, which is why we take the time to develop truly customized treatment plans for each veneer case we undertake.
When you choose our practice for your smile transformation, you’ll experience the difference personalized care makes. Our team has the advanced training and artistic eye needed to create natural-looking, long-lasting veneer results that complement your facial features and personality. Contact Eckland Family Dentistry today through our appointment request form to begin your journey toward the smile you’ve always wanted.