When it comes to the veneer process, most individuals have no clue what’s in store. They know it will drastically change their smile. They’ve seen the before and after photos, but they don’t know what to expect in between. In fact, the only time they actually learn what’s happening is when they’re sitting in the dentist’s chair, completely vulnerable.
That’s why it’s so important for people to know about the whole process beforehand. It’s not scary, honestly, but it’s also not as simple as putting some fake teeth on existing teeth. Instead, it’s a dental approach that takes time, effort, and many small steps to ensure that each patient ends up with a smile they’re proud of.
The First Appointment (Where It All Truly Begins)
Believe it or not, the first veneer appointment isn’t even about getting veneers. It’s about figuring out if you’re a good candidate. At this first appointment, a dentist looks at your smile to determine what it right and wrong with it and if veneers can correct your problematic areas.
For some people, their gums need better treatment and for some other people, there are better options for them than veneers. For example, if only one tooth is chipped, a composite resin might be more appropriate.
This is where expectations are set. Some people come in with the desires of blindingly white and bright, perfectly shaped teeth. However, a dentist has to let them know what will look natural and what will look artificial. Pictures are taken from various angles for measurements. It’s determined how many teeth need to be covered (the front six only? The side teeth too for balance?).
Ultimately, costs are assessed at this appointment but that’s subject to change depending on the porcelain type and number of teeth covered.
Tooth Preparation (The Part Nobody Wants To Hear About)
Now comes the part nobody really wants to think about. When it’s time to prepare the teeth for veneers, it means that half a millimeter to one millimeter of enamel is shaved off of the current teeth from the front where the veneers will sit.
This is not done through harsh force, but rather a gradual filing down. However, it’s important to remember that this layer of enamel will not come back. The teeth getting veneers will always need some sort of covering, so those considering veneers for their teeth must acknowledge that this is a permanent solution.
Even porcelain veneers for teeth don’t allow people the option of saving money down the road if they think they’re going to change their minds; it’s a long-game approach.
The tooth preparation appointment typically lasts one to two hours depending on how many veneers are placed at once. The dentist uses local anesthetic to keep the patient comfortable during the entire process. Once there’s enough space for the veneers (and the dentist also assesses if they’re straight), impressions (or digital impressions) are taken to send to the lab.
The Temporary Appointment (Yes, Those Exist)
With respect to the preparation appointment, no one goes home without protection. Temporary veneers are placed until the actual ones are made. Temporary veneers look decent; they’re not as bright or white as they could be, but they’re enough for someone to go about their life without feeling self-conscious.
The temporary stage lasts anywhere from two weeks to three weeks and during this time, people should avoid hard or sticky foods as temp covers aren’t as strong as the real deal and a patient would hate for them to come off.
Lab Work (The Part You Don’t See)
While someone has their temporaries in, a lab technician crafts new veneers for them. This is artistry right here; they match the color and translucency of previously owned teeth or other surrounding teeth, if certain shades were desired even if they’re all white since the dentist can recommend which white is best.
Good labs take their time as well; nothing worse than quick turning of lab work as bad veneers look artificial and cheap. Instead, veneer artisans need to work in such a way that veins in the porcelain mimic real tooth growth.
The Final Fitting (Where Everything Comes Together)
At the second main appointment in the veneer process, permanent veneers are placed. The first part is removing temporaries and cleaning each tooth assessed beforehand. There’s something called a try-in during which the dentist positions each tooth without cementation just to evaluate whether all factor, fit, shape, color, look good.
If it appears too white or an incorrect shape or doesn’t match surrounding teeth, now’s the time to call it out as no dentist is going to be angry that they have to send someone back for adjustments; they’d rather have a satisfied patient.
Once everything matches perfectly or tolerably average, and the patient is satisfied—the bonding process begins wherein the surface of each tooth gets a special solution that allows for bonding. Then there’s cement on the veneer that needs adjusting before it gets placed and cured with light immediately.
The dentist checks the bite to see that nothing is too high or out of place and polishes everything so there’s no rough edges against surrounding lips and skin. This appointment usually lasts about two hours.
The Adjustment Period
New veneers feel different at first; thicker smile holes and an odd bite adjustment with a tongue exploring new surfaces make for a weird sensation. This can happen, for a few days up to a week, until everything adjusts properly.
Sensitivity to hot/cold can occur right after bonding but fades after a week or two.
What To Expect After
After getting veneers, normal care resumes; brushing and flossing are encouraged but no added special treatment is required. However, now that there’s extra care in keeping new things new, avoiding habits that chip natural teeth should also be avoided.
That means no chewing ice; no biting nails; no mouth openings for hard packages or candy; and everything in between.
Porcelain veneers last ten-to-fifteen years while some patients get twenty years out of their smiles before needing new ones. A lengthy process should be worth it and thus anyone who appreciates what they see gets to enjoy it through many good years ahead of them.
Overall, from start to finish in appointments, the entire process takes four-to-six weeks, which isn’t bad, but enough time for a vast improvement.
