Veneer Procedure
Typically, it takes three appointments to apply veneers. Your first appointment will be a consultation in which you discuss the option with your dentist. If you are uneasy about the procedure, you may want to request an additional consultation appointment.
If your choose composite resin veneers, your dentist will be able to sculpt and bond them on-site during your second appointment. However, the vast majority of veneers are porcelain, because they are more durable, more long-lasting, and more impervious to stains. To create porcelain veneers, your dentist will first take a mold of your teeth and send it to a laboratory for fabrication. This process may take several days or weeks, depending on the amount of veneers necessary. If your teeth are extremely stained or damaged, your dentist will be able to place temporary veneers during your waiting period.
During your second appointment, your teeth will also be lightly buffed in preparation for the veneers. Usually, one millimeter of the tooth surface will be removed. If your teeth are sensitive, this process may require local anesthetic.
When your veneers are ready, your dentist will carefully place each one over your teeth to verify that the fit and color match the original tooth. It is uncommon for a veneer to perfectly match the original tooth color; however, this is rare in natural teeth as well. When your dentist is satisfied with the veneer’s fit and appearance, he or she will cleanse your teeth and apply a cement bond beneath the veneer. Your dentist will then cure the cement with a light beam for 60 seconds. Finally, your dentist will finish and polish the edges of the veneers to make them smooth.
