There’s plenty to consider when exploring smile enhancement options, and veneers are one of the top solutions. Before deciding to move forward with veneers, you should know what veneers are and what goes into the process. The steps involved in your veneers transformation depend on whether you choose traditional porcelain veneers or the non-invasive Lumineers®. However, the end goal remains the same: a beautiful, lasting result!
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we have the technology available right in our office to make the process faster than ever, in some cases. With our CEREC machine, we can craft your final custom veneer on the same day we prepare the tooth, so you can complete your smile makeover in a single day, in some cases!
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry service in dental offices today. They enhance your smile and mask dental flaws and imperfections, such as:
- Stubborn stains or discoloration
- Crooked or irregularly shaped teeth
- Noticeable gaps between teeth
- Chips, cracks, or fractures in teeth
- Wear and tear from grinding or enamel erosion
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer porcelain veneers. Porcelain is a high-quality and durable material that we custom-craft and bond to the front surface of your tooth. A necessary step in the porcelain veneers process is to prepare the tooth by removing a small amount of healthy enamel.
Oftentimes, you’ll come to our office for two appointments to get your porcelain veneers. However, we can sometimes use our CEREC machine to craft them in a single visit.
We also offer Lumineers®, also known as no-prep veneers. Lumineers are extremely thin porcelain veneers that also mask similar dental imperfections. They are less invasive because the process requires minimal or no tooth preparation. If you’re looking for an approach that skips enamel removal, Lumineers may be the right choice. However, they can’t be milled on the CEREC machine, so the placement process must occur over multiple visits. They also don’t work as well for dramatic shape changes or for covering very dark stains.
Our dentists will recommend the best veneers for your smile based on your unique circumstances.
Porcelain Veneers Process Explained
What are the steps in the traditional porcelain veneers process? First, one of our dentists will remove some enamel to make space for the porcelain veneer, an irreversible step. Then, if your veneers are being customized at an off-site lab, we’ll place temporary veneers to protect your teeth while you wait.
As soon as your permanent veneers are ready, we’ll clean and etch your teeth. Etching means roughening the tooth’s surface. This helps the veneer bond to the tooth structure for long-lasting results. Then, we will carefully place your custom veneers using dental cement. The cement hardens to your tooth’s surface with a curing light. The final step is to make any necessary adjustments and ensure proper bite alignment.
The process for placing Lumineers® is slightly different. First, our dentists take impressions of the teeth and send the information to a lab to create your custom Lumineers. Then, in a separate visit, we simply bond the Lumineers to the teeth. We’ll complete a final polishing and make minor bite adjustments, if needed.
Factors That Change the Veneers Process
A few factors change what your unique veneers process might entail. If you have any underlying issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease, we’ll address those issues before proceeding with veneers. This is important because healthy teeth and gums form the foundation of your smile makeover and are vital to the success of your treatment.
Another key aspect to consider is how many of your teeth have dental flaws that need correction. The process may look different and will vary depending on whether you need just two veneers or a full set across your smile line. If you only want to apply veneers to a few front teeth, we may recommend whitening the surrounding teeth to have a brighter overall result.
Taking these extra steps may extend the timeline until you see final results. However, we recommend treating underlying conditions or adding teeth whitening to your dental makeover when we believe it will improve results. We want your veneers to look beautiful for years to come and make you feel excited to smile!
Learn More About the Veneers Process at a Free Consultation!
The veneers process is simple and straightforward. When you come to our practice for veneers, we make sure you understand the steps involved in your treatment. If you want a complete smile upgrade in a day, traditional porcelain veneers might make that a reality. If you would rather leave your natural teeth unchanged, Lumineers might make more sense for you.
At the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re here to help you navigate your options and find the best solution for your needs. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about veneer pricing.
