What Happens During the Veneers Procedure?

Have questions about the veneers procedure? You’ve come to the right place! Our cosmetic dentist in South Bend, IN, would be more than happy to help you restore the full function and appearance of your smile. If you have small chips, cracks, or gaps affecting your front teeth, Dr. Gasko may recommend the veneers procedure.

Here’s what you can expect if you decide to get porcelain veneers at Select Dental Associates.

Consultation with Dr. Gasko

First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist in South Bend, IN. During your appointment, Dr. Gasko will present you with your options and recommend a treatment plan to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Our dentist may recommend the veneers procedure if you have minor cosmetic damage to your front teeth, such as small chips or cracks. Likewise, he may also recommend veneers if you have stained teeth that can’t be corrected with traditional teeth whitening. For example, patients with fluorosis have staining within the structure of the tooth itself.

If you have structural damage to your front teeth, Dr. Gasko may recommend a restorative procedure such as a dental crown.

Tooth Preparation

Dental veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the fronts of teeth to improve their appearance. As such, our dentist will need to remove a thin layer of enamel from the fronts of your teeth to create adequate space for the veneers.

Next, we’ll take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab that will be making your new veneer restorations. In the meantime, we’ll place temporary veneers over your teeth to ensure they’re kept protected until you see us for your next appointment.

Final Veneers Placement

When you arrive for your second appointment, your permanent porcelain veneers will be ready for placement. Our cosmetic dentist will remove your temporary veneers and replace them with the permanent ones. However, before he bonds the new veneers in place, he’ll ensure that they’re the proper size, shape, color, and fit. That way, your porcelain dental veneers will look natural and blend in with the rest of your teeth.

Once Dr. Gasko has ensured that your new dental veneers look perfect, he’ll prep the surface of your teeth to receive them. This involves cleaning, polishing, and etching the enamel so it’ll create a strong bond with the veneers. Next, Dr. Gasko will apply dental cement to the veneer, place it onto your tooth, and bond it in place with a special light beam.

For the final steps, our cosmetic dentist will remove any excess cement and check your bite. During this time, Dr. Gasko will make any final adjustments to the veneers as needed.

Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, Dr. Gasko may ask you to return to our office for a follow-up visit to ensure the long-term success of the porcelain veneers procedure.

Care Instructions for Veneers

In general, you can expect your porcelain veneers to last up to 10 years or longer with proper care. This means that you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene at home to maintain the health of your smile. Continue brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time and floss daily. We also recommend that you see our dentist for preventive care at least every six months.

One of the benefits of porcelain veneers is that they tend to last for years. The healthier your smile, the longer your porcelain dental veneers are likely to last.

Schedule a Consultation for Veneers

Wondering if you’re a candidate for porcelain veneers? Our cosmetic dentist in South Bend, IN, would be more than happy to evaluate your smile and create a treatment plan that’s tailored to your needs. To schedule an appointment, please call Select Dental Associates at (574) 232-8888. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our office will reach out to you soon.

This blog post has been updated.