South San Francisco, CA 94080 Tel: 650.583.5992
Fax: 650.615.0781
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size or length.
Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from composite resin materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Resin veneers are thinner and require removal of less of the tooth surface before placement. At the time of consultation, we would discuss the best choice of veneer material for you.
Veneers are routinely used to fix:
- Teeth that are discolored – either because of root canal treatment; stains from tetracycline or other drugs, excessive fluoride or other causes; or the presence of large resin fillings that have discolored the tooth
- Teeth that are worn down
- Teeth that are chipped or broken
- Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped (for example, have craters or bulges in them)
- Teeth with gaps between them (to close the space between these teeth)
Procedure
The procedure usually requires three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers. One tooth or many teeth can simultaneously undergo the veneering process described below.Diagnosis and treatment planning. This first step involves active participation between our dental team and the patient. The patient’s goals are very important in defining expectations and the treatment outcome reality. During this appointment we typically examine the teeth to make sure dental veneers are appropriate for you and discuss what the procedure will involve and some of its limitations. We review radiographs and review smile design with the patient in great detail. At the consultation appointment we recommend taking impressions of your teeth and we do what we call a “wax-up” of the patient’s ideal smile prior to starting the cosmetic procedure. This way we can present to the patient a preview of how the real cosmetic procedure can change their particular smile, on the models, prior to going to the mouth.
Preparation. To prepare a tooth for a veneer, we typically will remove about ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is an amount nearly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added to the tooth surface. This is done with the aid of local anesthesia, of course. Next, we typically will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which in turn constructs your veneer. It usually takes apporoximately 2 weeks for us to receive the veneers back from the laboratory. While the patient waits for the veneers to be constructed, we make acrylic temporary veneers that look natural and mimic the ideal smile design of the wax-up we agreed upon prior to beginning the procedure.
Bonding. Before the dental veneer is permanently bonded to your tooth, we typically will temporarily place it on your tooth to examine its fit and color. If any changes or adjustments are needed to achieve the proper fit, we would make any changes necessary at this time. If the veneer color needs alteration, the color can be adjusted with the shade of cement to be used. Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished and etched – which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. Special cement is applied to the veneer and the veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly position on the tooth, we will apply a curing light to the dental veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very quickly. The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the veneer as necessary. After a cosmetic procedure like this, we typically ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your veneer and to once again examine the veneer's placement.
Advantages of Dental Veneers
- They provide a natural tooth appearance.
- Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
- Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
- The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
- Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape-veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative to bonding.
Disadvantages of Dental Veneers
- The process is not reversible.
- Veneers are more costly than composite resin bonding.
- Veneers are usually not repairable should they chip or crack.
- Because enamel has been removed, your tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages temporarily.
- Veneers may not exactly match the color of your other teeth. Also, the veneer's color cannot be altered once in place. If you plan on whitening your teeth, you need to do so before getting veneers.
- Though not likely, veneers can dislodge and fall off. To minimize the chance of this occurring, do not bite your nails; chew on pencils, ice, or other hard objects; or otherwise put pressure on your teeth.
- Teeth with veneers can still experience decay, possibly necessitating full coverage of the tooth with a crown.
- Veneers are not a good choice for individuals with unhealthy teeth (for example, those with decay or active periodontal disease), weakened teeth (as a result of decay, fracture, large dental fillings) or for those who have an inadequate amount of existing enamel on the tooth surface.
- Individuals who clench and grind their teeth are poor candidates for porcelain veneers, as these activities can cause the veneers to crack or chip. The use of a nightguard is mandatory in our office for these individuals.