Copyright 2006 ALL CARE DENTAL, LLC
VENEERS
What are veneers?

Veneers are thin tooth-shaped and tooth-colored coverings that are permanently
bonded to natural teeth.

What are the advantages of veneers?

Veneers are great options for teeth with esthetic concerns, especially on the front
teeth. People may become very self-conscience with teeth that are slightly mal-
aligned, discolored, mottled, chipped, broken, etc. All of these are possible reasons
for placing veneers on teeth.

Your dentist can help in determining if veneers are right for you. If so, they can do
wonders in the appearance of your teeth.

Here are some brief advantages for veneers in different cases:

  • Discolored teeth: When teeth cannot be bleached or whitened by your dentist
    and they are discolored, veneers will cover your teeth and "blanket" the
    underlying color, bringing out a much more natural and whiter look. A couple
    of common reasons for discolored or darkened teeth that cannot be whitened
    the usual ways are: childhood Tetracycline antibiotic administration or a dead
    or root canaled tooth.
  • Mal-aligned teeth: Some teeth that are slightly mal-aligned, or crooked and
    rotated, can pose esthetic concerns for patients. While other options may be
    available for aligning teeth, such as orthodontics or Invisalign, these
    treatments may be much more than is necessary to re-align your teeth.
    Placing veneers on mis-aligned teeth may be the answer. In the process of
    preparing a tooth or teeth for a veneer, the dentist must shape the tooth
    relative to the alignment of adjacent teeth in order to get the best possible
    esthetic appearance from them. This may be all that is necessary for shaping
    the teeth for the best alignment, instead of physically moving them.
  • Mottled Teeth: Some teeth have genetic differences from normal teeth that
    present them with a mottled, or multicolored or even a "bumpy", appearance
    to them. These teeth are easily fixed by placing veneers over them.
  • Chipped or Broken Teeth: Many teeth, especially the front teeth, can become
    chipped or broken, due to falls, eating hard foods, or athletic injuries. In many
    cases, these teeth are easily repaired by placing veneers over them after
    smoothing them.

How are veneers made?

Making a veneer can be a lengthy process due to its very skill-intensive methods. A
very simple breakdown of the process is thus:

  1. 1st Appointment: Making an impression of the teeth (and possibly taking
    pictures of the patient's teeth) and sending the impression (and pictures) to a
    dental lab.
  2. 2nd Appointment: Lab sends a cast of the teeth with waxed-up
    representations of the veneered teeth to the dental office. The patient then
    examines the cast to see if they like the appearance.
  3. If so, the patient's teeth are numbed.
  4. Teeth to be veneered are prepared and shaped to allow veneers to be placed
    properly.
  5. A second, and final, impression of the prepared teeth are made and sent to
    the dental lab.
  6. Temporary veneers are made, and placed, for the prepared teeth.
  7. 3rd Appointment: On the third appointment, the temporary veneers are taken
    off and the permanent veneers are cemented into place.
2043 E. Southern Ave.,
Suite D
Tempe, AZ 85282

(480) 820-7225