porcelain veneers / dental veneers / cosmetic dentistry

Evaluating the porcelain veneer's color. Your porcelain veneer will have been created out of that shade of porcelain that your dentist feels is most appropriate. However, because porcelain veneers are thin and thus translucent, the precise color a veneer will possess can be adjusted by changing the shade of the cement which is used to bond the veneer into place. Your dentist will choose the cement they will feel is most appropriate and, without allowing the cement to cure, will place some of this cement in the veneer and then place it on your tooth so you can visualize the final shade that will be achieved. If you do not feel the color match with your other teeth is correct your dentist can show you how the veneer's shade is changed by using cements possessing a slightly different tint. It is important for you to realize that you must be happy with the veneer's shade before your dentist proceeds with curing the cement. After the veneer is bonded into place a color change cannot be made.

Bonding the porcelain veneer into place. Once you and your dentist have determined that the shape and shade of your veneer is appropriate it can be bonded into place. First the porcelain veneer will be cleaned and prepared for cementation. Your tooth will also be cleaned, usually by polishing it. The enamel surface of your tooth will be etched with a mild etching gel (the green in our illustration). This etching, on a microscopic level, roughens the surface of the tooth, just like glass that has been etched has a "frosted" texture. This enamel roughness aids in the cement's ability to form a tenacious bond with the tooth, and it is a hallmark of dental bonding technique. Cement will now be placed into the veneer and the veneer will then in turn be placed on your tooth. Your dentist will ensure that the veneer is in its proper place and then cure the cement, usually by shining a special light. This light (which is often blue) passes through the translucent veneer to the cement which lies underneath. The light activates a catalyst in the cement, causing it to cure in just a few moments. At this point, the porcelain veneer is securely bonded into place. There will probably be at least some excess cement present at the edges of the veneer that your dentist will need to trim off and polish down. You and your dentist will also need to evaluate the veneer's precise contours and trim or reshape them as you feel is best. Your dentist will also spend time evaluating your bite and making sure that the veneer is adjusted appropriately for it.

The porcelain veneer post-cementation appointment. Most dentists will ask that you return to their office about one week after your veneer has been bonded into place. Your dentist will want to evaluate how your gums are responding to your new veneer's presence. Additionally, during this appointment either you or your dentist may decide that the shape of your new veneer needs to be adjusted slightly, so to make it more pleasing or functional for you. Since the time of the appointment when your porcelain veneer was bonded into place you may have noticed that your tooth has some persistent hot and cold sensitivity. If you do, let your dentist know during this follow up visit. While it is possible that this thermal sensitivity will resolve on its own, your dentist may have some suggestions or solutions that can speed up the process.