Many kinds of imperfections may be hidden by dental veneers, which are thin shells placed over the fronts of your teeth. They can alter the color, size, shape, and position of your teeth to improve your smile.

Let’s see what the dental veneer process involves.

Consultation
The first step is making an appointment with a cosmetic dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. A thorough examination is needed to assess your teeth and make sure there aren’t issues like teeth grinding that would rule veneers out as a good choice.

Model
If you and your dentist decide veneers are right for you, a mold will be made of your teeth so that they veneers can be created to match your mouth exactly. This model allows the veneers to be shaped if needed before being placed in your mouth, which saves time for you in the dentist’s chair and helps establish a perfect fit.

Coloring
Veneers are most commonly made of porcelain, and sometimes of composite resin materials. It is vital that the restorations match the color of your surrounding teeth to provide the most natural look. Your dentist will help you select the ideal color for your smile, and then the veneers are usually created in a separate laboratory specializing in this type of restoration. There is sometimes a lapse of a few weeks between your initial appointment and when the veneers are ready for placement.

Procedure
Often a small amount of tooth enamel must be removed to establish a rough surface to securely bond the veneer to your tooth. Your dentist will then use a small amount of adhesive to attach the veneers, and cure it with a special light. Final adjustments will be made and you will be ready to show off your new smile.

Dr. Back is a cosmetic dentist in Sarasota Florida