How to Prepare Your Teeth for Porcelain Veneers
- Apr 18 2023
Veneers can be the solution for many dental issues, and porcelain veneers are one of the most popular types of veneers available. These strong, long-lasting, and natural-looking veneers can be the right option for many people, but how do you prepare your teeth for them?
Learn more about porcelain veneers and how to prepare for them.
What are porcelain veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made thin shells made of tooth-colored porcelain. They cover the front part of your teeth, improving their appearance. Because they bond to the surface of the teeth, they can change their shape, size, and length.
Although there are resin composite and porcelain veneers, porcelain is the preferred option. This preference is because porcelain can resist stains better than resin while also offering the light-reflecting properties of real teeth.
Some of the reasons you may need veneers include:
- Worn-down teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Uneven or misaligned teeth
- Teeth with gaps
Porcelain veneers require less enamel removal than a crown or a cap and can offer dramatic results as well as more subtle ones. They also last between 10 to 15 years or more, making them an excellent investment. Gums tend to tolerate porcelain better than other materials as well.
Preparation Process
To get veneers, your teeth and gums have to be healthy. Although porcelain veneers are thin, an expert still needs to remove a small amount of tooth structure. Usually, this means removing about 1 mm of enamel.
Getting veneers might also require the shaping of the tooth. The expert will make an impression of the tooth or teeth using a special paste. An impression of your bite is also necessary, requiring you to bite down on the paste for some minutes until it sets.
The impressions are then sent to a lab, which will custom-make your veneers. This process can take a couple of weeks. Until you receive the finished veneers, you can get temporary ones to wear.
Bonding
When it is time to place the veneers, your dentist will check for color consistency and ensure that the veneers fit correctly. This step may require trimming the veneer before cementing it to the tooth. If the color needs adjusting, the cement can help with that as well.
Before cementing the veneer, your dentist will clean, polish, and etch your tooth. Etching is important because it roughens the tooth, allowing for a stronger bonding process.
Once the veneer is on your tooth, the dentist will shine a special light on it to activate the chemicals in the cement so that it hardens quickly. They will then trim the excess cement and check your bite to make sure everything fits as it should.
Caring for Veneers
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting, but they can still get damaged or fall off. To avoid this, do not bite your nails, pencils, or other hard objects, and do not put pressure on your teeth. If you tend to grind your teeth while you sleep, you will likely need a mouth guard.
You also need to regularly visit your dentist for checkups. This can prevent damage to the veneers while also keeping the rest of your teeth healthy.
Get the Smile You Want
If you are unhappy with your smile or want to perfect it, porcelain veneers can be an excellent option. Payam Cohen, D.D.S, P.C. in Queens, NY, can offer porcelain veneers as well as other dental services, including periodontal therapy, root canals, and implants.
Contact Payam Cohen, D.D.S, P.C. today to get the dental help you need in Queens, NY.
Categories: Veneers