When your dentist places dental veneers, he or she will have to alter your smile slightly in order to make the porcelain veneers work. Although this can seem a little intimidating, the truth is that this necessary step will enhance the appearance and the functionality of your post-veneers smile. Read on to learn more about what our Elmhurst cosmetic dentists do to facilitate dental veneer placement.
As you probably already know, dental veneers are layers of porcelain that are used to cover existing dental enamel. Veneers are used to correct the shape, size, and shade of natural teeth. So how does this treatment work?
Because dental veneers will be attached to your natural teeth, your teeth have to be altered slightly in order to make the veneers “fit.” This process isn’t as scary as it may sound.
To begin the appointment, we’ll administer local anesthesia to the treatment area. This anesthesia will keep you comfortable throughout the treatment process. Then, using a dental tool, we’ll shave away some of the other layer of your tooth. How much dental matter is removed will depend on your unique smile, but most patients have about ½ of a millimeter of enamel removed per tooth. Why is this enamel shaved down? Well your veneers themselves will each be about ½ of a millimeter thick. So in reducing the thickness of your tooth, our dentists ensure that your veneer will fit comfortably on your tooth without looking bulky.
At the end of this appointment we’ll simply take an impression of your smile, so that your veneers can be crafted to fit your teeth. If necessary you’ll wear temporary veneers until your permanent veneers are attached (this generally happens one to two weeks after your first appointment).
The veneers process can completely change your smile in just a few appointments. Our Elmhurst veneers dentists are here to walk you through the process, just give us a call to learn more.