How Do I Get Veneers?

When considering veneers, the first thing you want to do is set up a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. They will help you decide if veneers will give you the outcome you are looking for and go over what getting veneers entails. Often the dentist will create a diagnostic mock up that will allow you to “try on” veneers to see if the final result is what you’re actually looking for. Some also use cosmetic imaging to place your new “veneer smile” on a picture taken of you so you can see what you will look like with your new teeth.

To apply the veneer a small layer of your original tooth enamel has to be removed. This is usually less than a millimeter. This creates room for the porcelain veneer to fit in your mouth and adhere to the tooth. The bond between your original tooth and the veneer is critical. Light sensitive resin is placed between the tooth and veneer. A special curing light is then used to harden the resin. Once the veneer is attached, you can treat it as if it was your normal tooth. Regular dental hygiene is still required and you will have to return to your dentist from time to time to have professional maintenance done. Porcelain veneers need to be polished with a specially formulated, non-abrasive paste. The dentist will also do regular inspections to make sure none of the veneers are cracking or losing their adhesiveness to your original teeth.

Some patients are now looking into minimal prep or “no-prep” veneers. This product is similar to regular veneers, but the dentist typically doesn’t remove as much tooth enamel and the veneers are directly bonded to the front of your tooth. This option makes veneers a less permanent and invasive procedure, but is not for everyone. Your dentist can help you determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Also, these minimal prep veneers are not known to hold up as well as regular veneers.

One week after you have gotten your veneers you will need to return to your cosmetic dentist office for a follow up. The dentist will check to see how your mouth is reacting to your veneers. Even if they appear to be a success, it is still important that you make your follow up appointment so you do not have complications down the line with your new smile. You will still need regular dental checkups every six months to maintain your beautiful, healthy smile!