It should be noted that every individual case is different and this is a generalized overview of this procedure.

Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure to brighten, straighten and or restore chipped teeth as well as close gaps. A porcelain veneer, which is usually 0.5mm to 0.7mm in thickness is bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Each veneer just like a natural single tooth is sculpted to you. There can be none, to minimal tooth preparation, meaning that veneers are minimally invasive making them a popular choice. Painless with instant results, here is a step-by-step general overview of the procedure as well as a video from The Brighton Implant Clinic on Porcelain Veneers .

CONSULTATION AND TREATMENT PLANNING

Is this procedure right for you? Before considering veneers, you and your dentist must discuss if this treatment will give you the desired results that you are looking for. This consultation will also determine your suitability and the limitations you may face with this procedure. During your consultation, your dentist may take x-rays as well as impressions of your teeth. Software such as Smile Design is usually used to give patients a real insight to the final results as well as accurately measuring tooth preparation.

TOOTH PREPARATION 

Before fitting or bonding dental veneers, tooth preparation is usually necessary. This procedure is also called tooth trimming. A veneer is bonded to the tooth’s front surface, therefore, depending on the thickness of the veneer, the dentist will buffer away less than 1mm of the tooth’s enamel. As this is usually less than 1mm, this will not make a noticeable difference to the naked eye, however, there may be short term tooth sensitivity.

DENTAL IMPRESSION

After the dentist has trimmed the pre-determined amount of enamel (tooth’s surface) an impression or copy of the tooth or teeth will be made. The impressions will be sent to a dental lab where the porcelain veneers will be sculpted and designed by a dental technician with what you have discussed and planned with your dentist.

TEMPORARY VENEER PLACEMENT

A temporary replacement is not mandatory and will most likely be at an additional cost. This is where after the teeth have been trimmed, temporary veneers are fitted while the permanent veneers are being moulded. After teeth preparation some patients will have an increased sensitivity to hot and cold, therefore opting for a temporary replacement.

Many patients opt to wait for their final veneers without temporary veneers being placed.

PRE- CEMENTATION EXAMINATION

Before the final veneers are placed a pre-cementation examination is needed. This is to make sure that the veneer is as accurate as possible to bond to the tooth. Veneers are positioned, inspected and removed for trimming repeatedly until satisfactory results are obtained.

During the whole veneer process, you should be consulting with your dentist regularly so that you are happy with the shape, shade and fit of the veneers.

VENEER BONDING

veneer bonding

Before bonding, teeth and veneers must be cleaned and polished usually through brushing and a dental water jet. The tooth’s enamel is then etched using etching gels – this process gives the enamel’s surface a rough texture. This enables an extremely strong bond between the tooth cement and the surface of the tooth.

This tooth cement is then placed to the inside of the veneer. The veneers are then placed over the teeth for positioning. Once you and your dentist are happy with the position of the veneers a special light is used. This light passes through the veneer and acts as a catalyst to cure the cement between the tooth and veneer to create a resilient bond. Any excess tooth cement is buffered off and the dentist will give you a final polish.

POST – CEMENTATION EXAMINATION

After your permanent veneers have been bonded your dentist will book another appointment for usually 7 to 14 days later. This is so that your dentist can check the shape of the veneers for any further adjustments. The gums can also be assessed so that not soreness or inflammation has occurred post –cementation.

Overall this appointment is to make sure that you as a patient are happy with the end results!

Brighton Implant Clinic

Information provided to you by the Brighton Implant clinic & advanced dentistry.

The Brighton Implant Clinic was established in 2009, Hove, East Sussex. The award – winning clinic now spans over four sites in Hove,  Brighton, Worthing, and Hailsham. Founder and principal dentist Dr Bruno Silva has created a clinic with state of the art facilities and equipment including its own dental laboratory. We provide personalised and affordable dental care, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry solutions, with additional services such as sedative dentistry. Dr Silva advocates continuous professional development and this is why he has a highly skilled team of dentist, surgeons, and dental nurses. Our welcoming and professional team believe smiling is fundamental, find out how this could change you.

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