A Beautiful Smile With Veneers

By Mona Bhaskar, DDS

Have you considered closing spaces between your teeth? Have you wanted to correct poorly shaped, discolored or worn out teeth? Are you unhappy with the slight crowding of your teeth?
All of these things can be corrected with veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. Veneers can be made from porcelain or composite (bonding). Although composite veneers can be made, porcelain is preferred so that the final veneers look more natural and have a similar luster to natural teeth.
The process begins with models and photos of your teeth. These are sent to a dental laboratory for evaluation. Wax is added to the model to mimic the corrective shape and position of the final veneers. This will help a patient see how the final veneers will look.

Once the patient and dentist are happy with the diagnostic wax-up, the patient is scheduled for the teeth preparations. In order to accommodate the veneers and create an aesthetic look, it is necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth. A final impression is made and sent to the laboratory. While the veneers are being custom made to your smile, temporary ones are made. These temporary veneers are very aesthetic and made to mimic the final veneers.
At the next appointment, the temporary veneers are removed. The final veneers are fitted, checked and cemented in place. The final result with veneers changes the color, shape, size or length of teeth resulting in an improved and beautiful smile.