Today, a wonderful pearly-white smile is important for a wide variety of reasons.  Beautiful teeth can boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and a stunning smile is often the most recognized feature of a person.  Dental veneers have been renowned for excellence and durability in the field of cosmetic dentistry for many years.  These ceramic veneers can cover even the most unsightly blemishes on the teeth, and treatment can be completed in two or three visits.

Who is a good candidate for veneers?

Dental veneers are highly resistant to staining agents like tobacco, coffee and red wine.  Veneers look completely natural, feel fantastic and can instantly cover the most severe cosmetic defects.

Veneers are wafer-thin, which means that the eating, speaking and biting functions are seldom affected by their placement.  Veneers are available in different shades and can only be applied to healthy underlying teeth and gums.  If the dentist notes tooth decay or gum disease, these issues need to be addressed before the placement of dental veneers.

Here are some of the main advantages associated with  veneers:

• High resistance to staining agents.
• Incredibly strong bonding agent.
• Quick, natural looking results.
• Transforms even the most disfiguring defects.
• Unsurpassed whiteness.
• Wafer thin veneers.

What is the procedure for placing veneers?

The dentist will plan on three visits, though treatment may be completed in two.  The first visit involves a thorough investigation of the teeth and the planning of forthcoming treatments.  The planning stage is an ideal opportunity to ask questions.  Objectives and potential end results will be discussed, and the dentist will ensure that teeth are healthy enough for veneer placement.

The second visit may last several hours.  The teeth need to be prepared before the veneers are placed.  Preparation generally involves the light buffing of the teeth to create space for veneer placement.  Since  veneers are wafer-thin, little of the tooth needs to be altered.

When the teeth are fully prepared, impressions are created.  These impressions or molds are then sent to a laboratory.  It generally takes around three weeks for the custom-made veneers to be fabricated.  In the meantime, a temporary measure is placed to ensure the teeth look pleasant and are fully functional.

During the final visit, the veneers are bonded to the teeth.  Before bonding permanently, the dentist temporarily places the veneers on the teeth with glycerin.  This helps to determine whether the shade and fit are agreeable.  If the shade requires alteration, this can be adjusted using colored dental cement.

Veneers are permanently placed with specialized dental cleansers and bonded using a visible light beam.  The light beam hardens the cement and ensures that an ultra-secure affixation occurs.  Once the veneers are placed with cement, the color can no longer be altered.

Veneers produce a stunning result that transforms the smile with minimal discomfort.

If you have any questions about veneers, please ask your dentist.