A dental veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front of the teeth. Veneers are made from ceramic, porcelain, resin-based composite, or acrylic. Custom-made shells are created by dental lab technicians and permanently bonded to the teeth.
In most cases, dental veneers are an elective dental procedure. This means they are not medically necessary. You might choose to have veneers if you have teeth that are:
Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your dentist will review potential problems, like:
Talk to your dentist about these risks before the procedure. If you grind or clench your teeth, your dentist may recommend a nighttime bite guard to protect your veneers.
If you are interested in getting dental veneers, you can meet with your dentist to discuss:
Your dentist will explain the procedure and anything you should do to prepare.
You will have a local anesthetic for some parts of the procedure. This means that the dentist will numb only the part of your mouth that is being worked on.
Depending on the kind of veneer you choose, you may need to make several visits to the dentist before your veneers are complete.
To make room for the veneers, your dentist will remove the top layer of enamel from your teeth. You may be given local anesthetic for this step. It may be given as a gel that is rubbed on your gums or as an injection. The dentist will take a mold of your teeth and send it to a dental lab. The lab will make veneers to fit your teeth. This may take several days.
At your next visit, the dentist will put a mild chemical on your teeth. This will create a rough surface for the veneer to bond to. The dentist will carefully attach the veneers to your teeth using special cement. In some cases, your dentist will use a light-sensitive resin to attach the veneer. A special light will be used to cure and harden the resin.
The procedure will take several hours. You may have to wait a few days between visits for your veneers to be created in a dental lab.
You may have some minor pain. You will be given a local anesthetic for some steps of the procedure. Talk to your dentist if your mouth is sore after the procedure. An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever may be advised.
You will be able to leave right after the procedure.
When you return home, take these steps:
Flossing
Floss between your teeth at least once a day.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
http://www.aacd.com
American Dental Association
http://www.mouthhealthy.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Academy for Esthetic Dentistry
http://www.caed.ca
Canadian Dental Association
http://www.cda-adc.ca
References:
Bonding and veneers. Canadian Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/procedures/bonding_veneers/ . Accessed April 11, 2013.
For the dental patient. Improving your smile with dental veneers. J Am Dent Assoc. 2003;134(8):1147.
Veneers. American Dental Association's Mouth Healthy website. Available at: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/v/veneers.aspx . Accessed April 11, 2013.
Last reviewed March 2013 by Marcin Chwistek, MD ; Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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