What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers or porcelain veneers/laminates are custom-made super thin tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. Once bonded to the front of the teeth, you will see a change in many factors including color, shape, size, or length.

According to WebMD, veneers are made of porcelain or resins, there are pro and cons to both which you should discuss with your dentist.

If you have teeth that are:

• Discolored
• Worn down
• Chipped or broken
• Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)
• Spaced with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)

Then veneers may be a viable solution for you.  If you have any of these issues you might be asking, how do I get veneers?

Your path to veneers will start with a visit to the dentist as they require a professional to assess your suitability for veneers and to make and apply them. Veneers can be used on a single tooth or many.  Here are the typical steps involved:

• The first step requires a discussion between you and your dentist to discuss the result that you desire.  Your dentist will examine your teeth to make sure you are a candidate for veneers and discuss tradeoffs and any risks.  They might take X-rays and make impressions of your mouth and teeth.
• The next step is preparation.  Your dentist will remove some enamel to make room for the veneer, make an impression of your tooth and create a model for a lab to construct the veneer, local anesthesia can be available for this.  It will take a few weeks to get the veneers manufactured and in some cases, temporary dental veneers can be placed.
• When your veneer is ready, you’ll come back to the office, the fit and color of the veneer will be viewed and if all looks good the tooth is prepared for the veneer which includes cleaning and etching so that the surface is rough enough for the bonding material to grab the tooth and hold the veneer securely to it.  A special light is used to help the bonding material cure and lock the veneer in place.

Once the veneer is in place, we’ll check to make sure that your gums are ok and your bite is normal.  Any adjustments will be made including clearing away any bonding cement and you’ll be able to see your new smile.  Don’t be alarmed if we ask to have you come back for a check-up in a few weeks, this is routine and we want to make sure that your gums aren’t being aggravated by your new veneers.

McBride Dental is all about providing our patients with quality dentistry, an exceptional experience, and great comfort. We work hard to protect and preserve your natural teeth, and when necessary replace your missing teeth with beautiful, long-lasting restorations to give you the confident smile you deserve.

When you visit our practice, you can expect to enjoy our signature blend of a warm, comfortable environment and the latest dental technologies.  Contact us at 760-471-1003.