The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your teeth and gums so you can smile with confidence. If you have ever felt self-conscious about your smile, you owe it to yourself to ask your cosmetic dentist about dental veneers. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells your dentist bonds to the fronts of your teeth. With proper care, veneers can last years before needing replacement.
Consultation with Your Cosmetic Dentist
The first step of any smile makeover is to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to explore your options. For example, your dentist may recommend veneers for chipped tooth repair. Likewise, your dentist may recommend a dental crown for a tooth made fragile after a large filling. Your dentist will be able to help you choose the best dental procedure for your oral health needs.
If you are interested in teeth covers, keep in mind that veneers only cover teeth that show when you smile or talk. Before your consultation, we recommend checking if your dental insurance policy covers veneers.
Veneers are able to fix:
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped tooth
- Small gaps between front teeth
- Irregularly shaped teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
Prepping Teeth for Veneers
While the veneers process usually takes two visits to our office, our cosmetic dentist uses CEREC technology to get it done in one appointment. CEREC veneers are made out of ceramic to match the color of your natural tooth enamel.
First, your dentist will need to prepare the receiving teeth for veneers. To prevent your teeth from looking bulky with the veneers, your dentist will remove about 1/2 millimeter of enamel from the fronts of your teeth. If you feel any pain or discomfort, speak up so your dentist can give you local anesthesia.
Taking Digital Dental Impressions
Next, your dentist will take digital dental impressions of your teeth using a 3D scanner. Not only are digital dental impressions more accurate, but they won’t test your gag reflex like a tray of pink goop would.
Our dentist uses software to design your new dental veneers right in front of your eyes. The milling unit in our office is then able to create your veneers from a ceramic block within minutes. Instead of having to wait a week or two for your veneers to be made in an off-site lab, you’ll be able to get your new smile in one appointment.
Bonding Veneers to Teeth
Once your ceramic veneers are ready, your dentist will make sure they’re the right color and shape. Your dentist may make slight adjustments to your tooth restorations so they look and feel natural. Next, your dentist will clean, polish, and etch the fronts of your receiving teeth so they’ll bond strongly with the veneers. Afterwards, dental cement will be used to attach veneers to teeth. After removing any excess cement, your dentist will check your bite to ensure it is properly aligned.
Dr. Ritzema DDS and his team are dedicated to helping you achieve your best smile with veneer teeth and other cosmetic dentistry services. To schedule an appointment with our Grand Rapids cosmetic dentist, call Complete Health Dentistry at (616) 458-7267.
