Veneers

The first thing people notice is a smile. If you’re not happy with the way your front teeth look when you smile, then veneers might be a great option for you.

What is a veneer?

A dental veneer is a custom-made shell of tooth-colored material made to cover the front surface of a tooth. They are usually used to correct uneven spaces, hide very discolored teeth or to smooth out jagged edges. Veneers are customized to look completely natural next to the rest of your teeth. The entire process can be done at Dental Health Associates in just a few visits.

What is the process for getting veneers?

There are usually three trips to the dentist involved in the veneer process. This includes one consultation appointment and two to actually make and apply the veneers.

Developing a treatment plan

During this initial appointment, Dr. Hermes or Dr. Gehring will find out what the patient is specifically looking for. He will examine the patient’s teeth to make sure veneers are appropriate for their specific situation and discuss what the procedure will involve. They may also make impressions of the mouth and teeth.

Preparation

In order to prepare a tooth for a veneer, about 1/2 millimeter of enamel will be removed from the surface of the tooth. This is about the same thickness of the veneer that will actually be bonded to the tooth. Next, a model of the tooth will be made. We then send this model to a dental lab, where the actual veneer is constructed. We will usually receive the veneer within about 2-3 weeks.

Bonding

Your dentist will temporarily place the new veneer on the tooth to carefully inspect its color and fit. He will then remove and trim the veneer several times in order to reach the proper fit. If needed, the color can be adjusted with the cement shade used. Next, the tooth that will be receiving the veneer is cleaned, polished and etched so that the bonding will be strong. We will then apply a cement to the veneer and then place the veneer on the tooth. Once it is perfectly placed, your dentist will harden the cement by applying a special light beam to the veneer. Any excess cement will then be removed. A follow-up visit may be required to see how the gums are responding to the veneer.