Usually, it requires four dental appointments to place porcelain veneers: diagnosis and planning, preparation, placement, and follow-up. One veneer is placed per tooth.
Diagnosis and Planning
It's essential that you work with your dentist to plan and design your smile before taking the dramatic step of placing the veneers. Have more than one consultation if necessary to feel comfortable. The veneers will be with you for a long time.
The consultation begins with an evaluation of the present condition of your teeth. This includes a visual examination as well as X-rays and photographs. The dentist will also take impressions of the teeth that are used as study models.
Some dentists use a wax mold to help design the shape of the veneers. This mold also helps patients visualize the new shapes of their teeth.
Still other dentists use computer-imaging systems to allow patients to preview results.
Preparation
This appointment takes approximately 1-2 hours and is used to prepare the teeth to accept the porcelain veneers.
The teeth are lightly sanded to shave off a thin layer of outer enamel to allow for the added thickness of the veneer. About half a millimeter (less than the thickness of an egg shell) is removed. This may require a local anesthetic.
Afterward, an impression, or mold, is taken of the teeth. This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to be used as a guide for the fabrication of the veneers. This is where the shape, size, color and teeth arrangement are determined for your new smile. The process generally takes from 1-2 weeks.
Because the teeth have been sanded, they'll look and feel a little rough until the veneers are placed. When more enamel is removed, life-like temporaries are often placed. Your teeth will also be more sensitive than usual. You should avoid extreme temperatures until your next appointment.
Placement
This appointment will also take 1-2 hours depending on how many veneers you are having placed.
First, the dentist will place the veneers on your teeth using a water or glycerin to get a sense of the shape and color.
It's important, while the veneers are resting on your teeth, that you view the esthetic results from many angles and under different lighting. Use a full-face mirror so you can see your entire face. Pay particular attention to color. At this point the color of the porcelain veneers can still be adjusted. But once cemented, it cannot. Also, if a veneer must be removed after it's cemented into place, more of the tooth structure will be lost and a second veneer will not bond as well.
Once the final decision is made, the teeth are brushed with a pumice and then a mild etching solution that roughens the surface to aid adhesion. A special cement adheres the veneer to the tooth. Then a visible light beam - most dentists use a white light gun for this - initiates the release of a catalyst to harden the cement. Bonding is achieved in minutes.
Follow-up
After one or two weeks, you should return to your dentist for a follow-up exam and a thorough check to confirm that the sealing is complete. Minor adjustments of the veneers will be made if necessary
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