Veneers Continued
How it is done
The process of bonding porcelain veneers to a tooth involves two steps. During the first appointment, the dentist will remove 0.5 to 1 mm of enamel from the front of the tooth to accommodate the veneers. At this time, the patient and dentist should discuss openly what shaping and color changes should be included in the final veneers. The dentist will then take a mold of the teeth, which will be used to create the actual porcelain pieces. This process can take up to two weeks, so temporary veneers are often applied until the permanent pieces are ready.
The second appointment, scheduled once the permanent veneers have been created, is the point at which they are permanently bonded to the teeth. The teeth are chemically cleaned in order to achieve a long-lasting bond, and any last minute color changes to the cement and porcelain pieces are finalized. Finally, dental cement is applied, permanently bonding the veneers to the teeth.
Potential Risks
While in most cases very little of the actual tooth must be removed for the veneers, there are situations in which more enamel must be removed, increasing the risk of trauma to the tooth. Veneers usually take a few weeks to get used to, as the very shape of the patient's mouth has been changed. Often there is a certain amount of sensitivity as the teeth are being prepared for the final bonding. Also, there is a possibility that the patient's speech may be affected, particularly when he or she pronounces “f” and “s” sounds. This can usually be corrected by adjustments the cosmetic dentist can make to the veneers. In some cases, veneers can be chipped or cracked due to the trauma of an accident. Individuals who suffer from bruxism, or the grinding of one's teeth during the night, are particularly susceptible to this problem, and may need to explore other options.
Alternatives
While no alternative to veneers will create the exact same effect, there are some popular procedures that may seem worthwhile. Crowns, while more expensive, also act to cover the tooth with a protective coating. For individuals who simply want to brighten their teeth, many clinics now offer tooth bleaching, though this is a much less permanent procedure.
By Matthew Bendert
|
