Porcelain veneers are sometimes called dental veneers or laminates. They consist of wafer-thin shells of porcelain custom-made to cover the front surfaces of teeth precisely. Porcelain veneers are designed to improve the overall appearance of teeth and can change their shape, colour, length or size.
Who Can Benefit from Having Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are quite a versatile treatment that is minimally invasive and can fix problems that include teeth that are discoloured. Teeth can discolour because of excess fluoride, root canal treatment, lifestyle factors, or stains from tetracycline. Sometimes teeth that have quite large composite resin fillings can look discoloured. Veneers can also be helpful for teeth that are worn down or which are too short, chipped or cracked. If you have teeth that are unevenly or irregularly shaped, veneers can cover them up to create a more cosmetically pleasing appearance. Sometimes teeth can have unsightly spaces in between them, and veneers can be useful in closing or minimizing these gaps.
What Is the Procedure for Having Porcelain Veneers?
Usually, you will need to visit your dentist in Newcastle several times and initially you will need a consultation.
Diagnosing and Planning Your Treatment
It’s important to make sure you are a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers as your teeth must be reasonably strong and healthy. Here at West Bowmanville Family Dental, we will also want to discuss your aims for treatment, and the type of appearance you wish to achieve. Another thing to decide is the number of veneers required. Some people may only want one or two veneers while other people will opt for multiple veneers, sometimes covering all the teeth visible when they smile.
Porcelain veneers are frequently combined with tooth whitening treatments and especially if only a few veneers are necessary. Your teeth can be whitened gently and safely in-office before we custom make your porcelain veneers to match here in Clarington. It’s an approach that can be cost-effective and conservative, as often we need to remove a small amount of tooth material in preparation for veneers. Once your treatment is planned, we can begin to prepare your teeth.
Tooth Preparation
Usually, it’s necessary to remove approximately 0.5 mm thickness of enamel from the tooth surface, which is approximately equal to the thickness of the veneer. This ensures your new veneers will look and feel natural instead of feeling too bulky. Once we have prepared your teeth, we take a detailed dental impression. We use the very latest digital impression system for every porcelain veneer case, and which helps to ensure a precision fit for your new restorations. It’s also far more comfortable because your teeth are scanned with a tiny handheld camera and there is no need for messy impression trays. At this stage, we can fit temporary veneers while your new veneers are fabricated.
Fitting Your Veneers
Once your veneers are ready, we will try them in your mouth to assess their fit and colour and can adjust them as needed. Next, your teeth are prepared for bonding, and the veneers are cemented in place. Once the bonding material has hardened, your dental veneer should be relatively strong and durable.
Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are super easy to look after, but you should make sure you follow a meticulous oral hygiene routine. There’s nothing special about this as you just need to make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and that you floss each day thoroughly. Regular checkups and hygiene appointments with our dentist in Courtice are also crucial. Eventually, your porcelain veneers will need replacing, but the proper oral care should ensure you can enjoy them for years to come.
