The Procedure: Getting Your Dental Veneers
Obtaining veneers typically involves three visits to the dentist—one for consultation and two for the creation and placement of the veneers. Here’s an overview of what to expect:
- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning: The initial step requires active engagement between you and your dentist at Aesthetic General Dentistry of Frisco. During this phase, you’ll discuss the procedural limitations and your desired results. It’s crucial that your dentist comprehends your goals to effectively plan your treatment.
- Preparation: To ready a tooth for a veneer, your dentist will remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface, which corresponds to the thickness of the veneer being added.You and your dentist will determine whether a local anesthetic is needed to numb the area before removing the enamel. Afterward, your dentist will take a mold or impression of your tooth. This mold is sent to a dental laboratory where your veneer is crafted, typically taking 2-4 weeks.
- Bonding: Before the veneer is permanently bonded to your tooth, your dentist will place it temporarily to check its fit and color. They may adjust the fit by trimming the veneer several times and altering the color with the shade of the cement used.
When the fit and color are satisfactory, your dentist will clean, polish, and etch your tooth to prepare it for bonding, which helps strengthen the adhesive process. Special cement is then applied to the veneer and placed on your tooth. To finalize the bonding, your dentist will use a special light beam to activate the cement’s hardening chemicals quickly.