Porcelain Veneers
Cover Up Minor Dental Imperfections
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are made of porcelain, and they are custom-made to look and feel just like your natural teeth. These thin shells fit over your front teeth after a small amount of enamel has been removed, and they are designed to cover up cosmetic issues like gaps in your smile, stained, misshapen, and uneven teeth.
The Placement Process
As long as patients have healthy mouths that are free of gum disease and tooth decay, veneers are likely a good cosmetic option. However, veneers cannot be used to repair teeth that have been seriously damaged by cavities or chipped/broken by oral trauma. Restorative treatments like a dental crown may be required instead.
Additionally, veneers may not be a good option if you have crooked teeth or major bite issues. In this case, you may require orthodontic treatment before you can have veneers placed at the Dental Health Center of Monmouth Beach. During your consultation, we will go over all of your options and help determine whether veneers are right for you.
Enamel Removal
Before we can create your veneers, your teeth must be prepared. To do this, one of our dentists will clean and numb your mouth, then use specialized tools to remove a very thin layer of enamel from each tooth that will receive a veneer.
This must be done to ensure a seamless fit for your veneers, and to ensure that they do not affect your bite. However, this does mean that veneers are not reversible. Once tooth enamel is removed, it cannot be restored. However, veneers are long-lasting and with proper care, will only need to be replaced every 10-15 years.
Temporary Restoration
After your teeth are prepared, your dentist will take impressions. These will be sent to a partner dental lab where your porcelain veneers will be built by experienced lab technicians.
Since creating your veneers can take a few weeks, we will attach a set of temporary resin veneers to protect your smile in the meantime. You will need to avoid chewing extremely hard or gummy foods until you receive your permanent restorations.
Dental Bonding Your Permanent Porcelain Veneers
At your final appointment, your dentist will remove your temporary veneers, clean your teeth, then check the fit of your permanent veneers to ensure they look perfect. If necessary, your final veneers can be trimmed slightly and adjusted.
Once your veneers are finalized, they will be bonded into place using powerful dental cement. Then, your new smile will be buffed and polished to complete the procedure. You’ll be sent home with a brand-new smile, along with instructions on how to care for your veneers.