Why would you recommend a porcelain veneer?

Porcelain veneers are an excellent alternative to crowns in many situations. They provide a much more conservative approach to changing a tooth's colour, size, or shape. Porcelain veneers can mask undesirable defects, such as teeth stained by tetracycline, by an injury, or as a result of a root-canal procedure, and are ideal for masking discolored fillings in front teeth. Patients with gaps between their front teeth or teeth that are chipped or worn may consider porcelain veneers.

What happens during the procedure?

The patient should spend time in the decision-making and planning of the smile and understand the corrective limitations of the procedure.

To prepare the teeth for the porcelain veneers, the teeth are lightly buffed to allow for the small added thickness of the veneer. Usually, about a half a millimeter of the tooth is removed, which may required a local anesthetic. At this appointment, a mould is taken of the teeth, which is sent to the laboratory for the fabrication of the veneers. This can take about a week. Because the teeth are buffed or reduced, they will look a little different until the next appointment when the veneers will be placed. If the teeth are too unsightly you, a temporary veneer can be placed, at an additional cost.

Bonding of veneers: First, the dentist places the veneers with water or glycerine on the teeth to check their fit and get a sense of the shade or colour. While the veneers are resting on the teeth, the aesthetic results are viewed with particular attention to the colour. At this point, the colour of the veneers can still be adjusted with the shade of the cement to be used. The colour cannot be altered after veneers are cemented. To apply the veneer, the tooth is cleansed with specific chemicals to achieve a bond. Once a special cement is sandwiched between the veneer and tooth, a light beam initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement.

For about a week or two, the patient will go through a period of adjustment as he/she gets used to the "new" teeth that have been changed in size and shape. Brushing and flossing is to be carried on daily, as usual. After one or two weeks,there is a follow-up appointment.

Have realistic expectations

Porcelain veneers are reasonable facsimiles of natural teeth, not perfect replacements. It's not uncommon to see slight variations in the colour of porcelain veneers upon close inspection, as this occurs even in natural teeth. Nevertheless, this procedure can greatly enhance the smile, and can heighten inner satisfaction and self-esteem.