Are you interested in improving the look of your smile? Cosmetic dental veneers from Fair Lakes Family and Cosmetic Dentistry may be the solution you’re looking for!
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They are custom-made from porcelain or resin composite materials.
Veneers are often used to fix:
- Discolored teeth
- Worn down, broken, or chipped teeth
- Misaligned, uneven or irregularly shaped teeth
- Gaps between teeth
Who Can Get Veneers?
As a candidate for veneers, teeth need to be healthy and free from decay. You should be free of gum disease. It’s also important that you don’t habitually grind your teeth and that your bite aligns correctly. The procedure requires that candidates have enough healthy tooth enamel to support the veneer as it is bonded to the tooth.
How Does It Work?
The process to get dental veneers will require multiple trips to the dentist’s office. During your first visit, we will discuss what you want to achieve. You will receive a complete oral examination to determine if veneers are the appropriate treatment for you.
The next steps include preparation for the procedure. The dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of surface enamel from your tooth, which equals the thickness of the veneer. Your dentist will then take a mold of your teeth, and the impression is sent to a laboratory for construction.
The final step in the process is to bond the dental veneers to the tooth. First, we will temporarily place the veneer to determine size and color fit. The dentist may make adjustments to ensure the best fit and color match. When the fit is determined, the tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched. Etching roughens up the tooth, which improves the bonding process.
Once the tooth is in position, a light beam hardens the bonding agent. Any excess cement will be cleaned up, your bite will be evaluated, and final adjustments will be made. A follow-up visit may be necessary for us to check up on the position of the dental veneers and see how your gums have responded to the procedure.
If you are interested in learning more about dental veneers and pursuing that option, contact our office online or call 703-273-4505