On social media, it may look like the veneers process is quick and easy. However, there is actually a lot of preparation that goes into creating and applying veneers to ensure a positive outcome. Professional veneer application requires the dentist to know exactly what the patient’s goals are and do things right the first time to ensure a long-lasting smile with veneers. This requires a carefully thought-out and methodical process. Here’s what you can expect the veneers process to look like at Cedarwood Dentistry.
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1. Determine the Cause of the Dental Issue
When our Midlothian-area patients are considering veneers, the first step we take is to determine the cause of the dental issues they’re experiencing. The cause will determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate and the best material to use. Common reasons why patients seek out veneers include dissatisfaction with tooth position, color, and shape.
2. Take Pictures & Tooth Impressions for the Wax-Up
After identifying the cause of dissatisfaction and determining that a patient is a good candidate for veneers, we take a series of photos and impressions of the patient’s teeth. We use those impressions to mount into study models and make a wax-up. The wax-up is our way of changing the shape of the model teeth to see how the final product may look.
3. Wax-Up Approval & Financial Discussion
Next, the patient approves the wax-up. That’s also when we decide how many veneers we’ll make. Sometimes we just need to do one veneer if a singular tooth is pushed in or turned, as in this darkened tooth story.
Other times, we need up to 8 to 10 veneers if the patient requires veneers for pre-molar to pre-molar or even upper and lower teeth. At this point, the patient determines by looking at their pictures and their wax-up how many veneers they would like and what the final cost would be.
This decision segues into our financial conversation in which we discuss payment plans and affordability. In some cases, veneers may be covered by insurance. However, veneers saught for purely cosmetic purposes are generally the responsibility of the patient.
4. Preparation Appointment & Temporaries Created
Once we have our plan mapped out, a patient then comes back for a preparation appointment where we put composite onto the teeth using the wax-up as our guide.
After the patient approves the wax-up in their own mouth, we prepare the teeth and take an impression for the temporary veneers. This appointment can last multiple hours when there are many teeth to prepare, and making the temporaries requires significant time as well.
We take our time with getting the temporaries right because we want the patient to leave with temporaries that are satisfactory while they wait for the permanent veneers to be made. Most people wouldn’t even know that they are temporaries and not the real thing!
So if the temporaries look so good, why bother with permanent veneers? The temporaries are made from the wax-up, and they’re usually a solid piece instead of individual veneers for each tooth. Temporaries are made from a cured resin material, which is a brittle plastic.
As a result, they’re more breakable and more likely to fall off because they’re temporarily cemented with the intention of removal. Additionally, you can’t floss between temporary veneers, and they’re typically more monochromatic.
5. Permanent Veneers Fabricated & Cemented
After the temporaries appointment, we send the impressions to the lab for fabrication. At the next visit, we remove the temporaries and permanently cement the veneers once the patient approves them.
Let Cedarwood Transform Your Smile with Veneers
If you’re still wanting more information on what veneers can do for you, check out some of our other resources on the materials we use for veneers, determining if you’re a good candidate, and oral health after the veneers process. If you’re ready to speak to a dental expert about how veneers could transform your smile, contact us. We can’t wait to provide you with the smile you’re seeking!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.