Dental Veneers

Dental veneers offer patients a chance to achieve their ideal smile without extensive or invasive dental work. Porcelain veneers are custom fabricated to match each patient’s aesthetic preferences. They are bonded in place with strong dental cement for a long-lasting smile makeover.

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment that gives patients a more attractive smile. This procedure is suitable for improving a single tooth or for a smile makeover on all visible front teeth. Unlike dental restorations that are necessary to fix damage and restore function, dental veneers are designed to correct minor aesthetic imperfections. Today, porcelain veneers are available and affordable for patients who want to take their smile from dull to dazzling.

Why choose dental veneers?

Porcelain veneers offer you a chance to get the smile you wish you were born with. Veneers are designed to look like real teeth – pearly white and slightly translucent. Unlike real teeth, they don’t yellow over time. Drs. Myerson and Weinman and Buckhead Dental Associates uses veneers to cover up many flaws including:

• Slight crookedness
• Small gaps between teeth
• Minor chips and fractures
• Stains or discoloration that doesn’t respond to tooth whitening
• Teeth that look misshapen or too short

Who is a candidate for dental veneers?

Veneers work best for patients who have only minor tooth flaws. They aren’t suitable for covering up cavities or deep fractures. Patients with no gum disease are likely to be most satisfied with veneers. The upper edge of the veneer can become visible if gums recede due to gingivitis or periodontists. Proper oral care is essential for keeping veneered teeth in good condition!

Dental veneers procedure overview

Veneers are placed over the enamel to create the outward appearance of even, white and attractive teeth. The procedure is done in three visits. During your initial visit, models of your existing teeth will be made. Your new smile will be designed on the model in wax by a dental lab technician/artist. We view the models together and discuss your expectations and preferences for the exact shape and color of your veneers. If you are having only one or two teeth treated, you will select a color that is very close to your natural tooth color. If you are getting all your visible teeth veneered, you can choose a whiter shade.

Tooth preparation

At this time, a small amount of enamel is removed from each tooth that will be fitted with a veneer. This step serves two purposes. First, it ensures that the veneers don’t make your teeth look too thick or fake (this can sometimes be a problem even with very thin veneers). Second, enamel removal may be necessary if a tooth is turned at a slight angle. That way the veneer can be placed to correct this flaw for attractive, even alignment with the adjacent teeth. Enamel removal is done conservatively to leave as much of your healthy tooth structure in place as possible. After your teeth are prepared, a photos will be made with the itero scanner and sent to a dental fabrication lab.

Veneer fitting

Once your custom-made porcelain veneers arrive, you come back for the final fitting. The surface of each tooth is etched with a mild chemical agent to allow the dental cement to get a good grip. Each veneer is attached to the prepared tooth surface using a powerful dental bonding agent. This adhesive is cured with a special lamp to harden it and help ensure the veneers stay in place over the long term. The next step is to remove any excess cement and do minor shaping around the edges of the veneers so they look just the way you like. Finally, they are polished to a brilliant finish.

More information about dental veneers

Getting veneers is a minimally invasive dental procedure. However, some patients do experience discomfort during the enamel preparation. This can be addressed with anesthetic. Teeth that are veneered may be somewhat sensitive to heat and cold for the first couple of days following treatment. This side effect should fade over time. Dental veneers are often long lasting; but they are usually not permanent. If a veneer eventually cracks or comes off, you will need to have it replaced so you can keep on enjoying a flawless smile.