Porcelain Veneers in Vadnais Heights MN | How Porcelain Veneers are made
How Porcelain Veneers are made
Removing the Enamel
The first step in creating veneers is to shave down the existing enamel around your existing smile. Depending on how many teeth you need veneers for, the dentist may need to remove a little bit of enamel from all of them. This is because you want your veneers to fit perfectly on your teeth, without any gaps or spaces between them. The veneers act as a sort of cap, and sit on top of the shaved down teeth, adhered with a strong bonding material. Would you like to learn more about Porcelain Veneers in Vadnais Heights MN? Reach out to the Dental Team at Birch Lake Dental to learn more today!
Taking a Mold
After your enamel has been shaved down, your trusted dentist will take a mold of your new teeth- which will then be sent off to the lab where another team of dental experts will take it as a base to begin crafting your new smile. These veneers are then made out of porcelain, which is a strong and durable material. They will be colored to match your natural teeth, usually by one of the technicians at the lab, or by your dentist once they are sent back to your location. You can also opt for a more customized look in this step if you want to add some character or dimension to your new veneers.
Temporary Veneers
While your veneers are being made, your dentist will give you a temporary set of veneers in the meantime. These are made of a resin material that is very durable and will be able to withstand the day-to-day wear and tear of eating, talking and smiling. The temporary veneers should last for about two weeks while your permanent set is being crafted in the lab.
Photos and Documentation
Before your permanent veneers come back, a dental assistant will ask to take photos of your veneer-less smile for documentation purposes. This way, your dentist will be able to keep track of your oral health easier, and your new veneers will last longer. After your permanent veneers are made and ready for installation, the dental assistant will take some additional photos for documentation purposes.
Cast comes back
Once your veneers come back from the lab, they won’t be immediately ready to install. The color will likely be a little off from your existing smile, or may just appear a little fake. Your local dentist will have to flex their artistic muscles to carefully paint and craft these untouched veneers to perfectly match your smile, and then seal them in place with a resin. This process can take anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on how many veneers you need and how quickly your dentist can schedule their appointments. An experienced dentist will work hard to make sure that your veneers look as natural and perfect as possible for your new smile.
Installing of the Veneers
When the veneers are ready to be installed, they will be carefully bonded into place using a special dental adhesive that is designed specifically for bonding porcelain to enamel. Your dentist will start by cleaning and polishing your teeth to remove any remaining plaque or stains. Then, they will apply a bonding agent to the surface of each tooth where the veneer will be placed. This process is quick and painless, but it is important that you do not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes after this step so that the adhesive can properly bond with your teeth.
In Summary
When you think of veneers, you probably think of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are strong, thin shells of ceramic that cover the front surfaces of teeth. Once the veneers are in place, they will mimic the structure of your existing teeth- with similar if not improved strength compared to your current teeth. If you think Porcelain veneers are right for you, it is important to consider that getting veneers is a permanent process. Your current teeth will need to be shaved down to make space for the veneer covers. People seek veneers for a number of different reasons, from existing structural issues, to aesthetic reasons– such as unevenly shaped teeth, yellowing, or other visible signs of age. With proper maintenance, porcelain veneers can last as long as 10 years. To help ensure that they make it this long, make sure to schedule a twice-yearly checkup with your dentist for an inspection and cleaning. If you are interested in getting veneers, contact us today at Birch Lake Dental for a consultation. We will evaluate your teeth and discuss the options with you.
At Birch Lake Dental, can meet all you needs by performing root canals, implants, dental exams, cleaning and preventative care, cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening, restorations, dental implants, Botox, Fillers, Laser Dentistry, and more! There’s never been a better time to visit the dentist.