A Great Smile With Veneers

By Michael E. King, DDS

Great smiles can be created a number of ways. If you have healthy gums and teeth, but are not satisfied with your smile, veneers can be an excellent source of treatment to give you the look you want.

Veneers can help brighten front teeth that have permanent stains and correct crowding and spacing. They can also be used to fix teeth that are poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Your dentist may recommend veneers to cover teeth that are chipped, worn or eroded at the gumline from aggressive brushing.

Veneers are thin, custom-made facings that your dentist affixes to the teeth in a simple, comfortable procedure that requires just a few appointments. They are made from different materials. You and your dentist will decide which are best for you based on durability, stain resistance and a natural look. This procedure is usually done with or without anesthetic depending on how much the dentist will need to modify your teeth.

The Procedure

The number of appointments you need to complete the procedure will depend on the number of teeth getting veneers. Typically, about three appointments are needed to give you the smile you are looking for.

During your first visit, you and your dentist will select the color you are looking for and get an idea of what shape and type of smile you want. Models of your teeth will also be made so the dentist and the laboratory can prepare temporary teeth for you to wear while your permanent veneers are being made.

At your second appointment, the dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from the front and sides of your teeth (if needed). This is done so that when the veneers are attached, the teeth won't look or feel bulky. After the enamel is removed, the dentist will make an impression of the prepared teeth. A model is made from the impressions so that the veneers are compatible with your bite. The model is sent to a dental laboratory where the permanent veneers are made.

During your third appointment, the permanent veneers are carefully set in place using a special dental cement. Once the veneers are attached, a special high-intensity lamp may be used to harden the cement so that the veneers stay in place when you leave the dental office.

Taking Care of Your New Veneers

Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are needed to keep your teeth healthy. Your dentist may recommend that you avoid some food and beverages, such as tea, coffee, red wine, other heavily pigmented foods, and tobacco, which may discolor your veneers.

Veneers can chip and peel. Avoid biting hard objects such as fingernails, pencils and ice. Like any dental restoration, it is possible, over time, for veneers to dislodge. In that case, new ones may be needed.

If you have any additional questions about veneers, the best advice is to contact a dentist who is trained and experienced in veneers.