What Sort Of Preparation Is Needed For Dental Veneers?

Is it difficult to get dental veneers? Not really. The most involved aspect of this form of cosmetic dentistry is preparing the surface of your teeth so that they're in the best condition to have the veneers bonded to them. This ensures the maximum possible longevity for the veneers. In limited cases, no preparation is required beyond the actual custom fabrication of the veneers. But what does the preparation process actually involve?

Preparing Your Dental Enamel

The preparation for dental veneers is relatively uncomplicated. Your dentist must first shave a small amount of surface enamel off your teeth. The depth of enamel to be removed is absolutely wafer-thin. The process is designed to smooth the surface of your teeth without actually compromising your dental enamel. Your dentist will use a handheld device that has an abrasive polishing disc attached to it. The vibrations caused by this process can cause some mild discomfort, but it won't be painful. Your dentist can numb your jaw if necessary, but actual sedation will not be needed. Discuss your pain relief options with your dentist if you have any concerns.

Bonding the Veneers

The preparation work is designed to smooth out the surfaces of your teeth, which then results in less surface stress to the veneer once it's attached. This also ensures a consistent thickness of the adhesive material, which results in a higher standard of bonding. Once an appropriate amount of surface enamel has been removed, your dentist will take an impression of your shaved teeth, giving them the precise dimensions needed to fabricate the veneers. Once this has been completed, you will have an additional appointment for the veneers to be bonded to your teeth.

When No Surface Preparation Is Needed

Some patients can bypass the need for preparation. In these cases, the veneers can be fabricated from an impression of your mouth, and then directly bonded to your teeth without removing any surface enamel. This is only appropriate when the existing state of your teeth is in an ideal condition to receive the veneers. It's generally only used when the veneers are intended to conceal discoloration, but the teeth are already in an optimal condition. 

The overall process for receiving dental veneers is really a piece of cake, and the most involved part of your commitment to the process is having your dental enamel prepared to receive the veneers unless it's determined that this is unnecessary. For more information about veneers and cosmetic dentistry, contact a local dental office.