How Are Veneers Fitted

Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry solution to improve the appearance of the teeth. Unlike a crown, a veneer is a porcelain mask placed on the front of the tooth. The fitting process only requires two to three visits.

Impressions

Impressions are moldings that the dentist sends to the laboratory, where the veneers are made to specification. Impressions are taken of the original teeth, the desired teeth (with temporary bonding) and the final results.

Shaping

A clay-like substance, which, at first glance, looks like outer tooth enamel, is placed on the teeth so that you and the dentist can mold the desired ultimate appearance of the teeth. Once your "teeth" achieve the desired look, an impression is made, and the dentist makes temporary veneers to wear during the lab process.

Specifications

Specifications are made by taking precise measurements of the impressions and comparing those measurements so that the porcelain pieces are made to the precise fittings of each tooth. The dentist also must measure the reshaping specifications of the original teeth because veneer fittings often require that your teeth be reshaped.

Reshaping

The goal of veneers is even, straight teeth that are congruent in shape (and color) and size, save for the very front teeth. The teeth to be fitted with veneers are reshaped by either shortening them, flattening them, aligning them with the rest of the teeth or evening out the front surface of the tooth enamel if it is irregular. When the veneer pieces return from the lab, these, too, may need a bit of reshaping.

Bonding

When the porcelain pieces return from the lab, the dentist is ready to permanently bond them to the teeth by using a special cement substance. Before bonding the veneer, the tooth will be cleaned and etched in order to roughen the surface and make for easier and stronger adherence. The veneers are placed and adjusted as needed.

Laser Application

Once the veneers are positioned properly and have been trimmed or reshaped as needed, the dentist uses special laser technology that emits light beams on the veneer. The laser beams cause the cement chemicals to harden quickly and fit the veneers to the teeth permanently (until they are removed by a dentist).

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