4923 Oakton St., Skokie, IL
Veneers
Dental veneers are the perfect cosmetic dental solution for patients who want to completely redesign their smile without orthodontics or more invasive procedures like porcelain crowns.
Veneers are effective at covering up unsightly stains or chips, while also hiding irregularly shaped teeth, discolored teeth, chipped or broken teeth, worn teeth, and/or misaligned teeth.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or resin composite materials that are custom-made to cover the front surface of your natural teeth.
Resin composite veneers can often be completed in one dental visit. Resin veneers are made from composite, the same material that is used in dental bonding procedures.
Porcelain veneers are usually completed in a couple of dental visits. Porcelain veneers have light reflecting properties (similar to tooth enamel) that allow for a more natural appearance compared to resin veneers. Most patients prefer porcelain veneers because they create the most natural smile.
Porcelain veneers are made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist.
What Is the Procedure for Dental Veneers?
Receiving dental veneers is usually a multi-step process that involves at least three office visits to complete.
During the initial consultation, your dentist will perform a full examination, evaluate your smile and review your treatment options.
01
If you are a candidate for veneers, your second appointment will involve preparing the tooth for its new restoration. There is minimal prep of the tooth. The dentist removes approximately ½ millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, approximately the same thickness as the veneer. This is necessary for the porcelain veneers to have enough space to correct for any irregularities in the tooth position and color to deliver a natural smile.
Your dentist will then take an impression of the teeth, which is used to create the final veneers. The final step in this appointment involves the dentist fabricating temporary veneers.
02
The veneers are fabricated by the lab and delivered back to the dentist. Once your dentist has determined that the finished veneer’s shape and shade is correct, the veneer is ready to be bonded (cemented) into place.
However, before this happens, your dentist will apply a gel to the teeth in order to create a rough surface that the veneer can bond to. Then the bonding agent is applied along with a special cement. Finally, the veneers are placed and a high intensity light is used to secure them into place. Your new smile is complete!
03
What Happens
After Dental Veneers Procedure?
In order to maintain your new beautiful smile, your dentist may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks (coffee, tea, or red wine) that can stain or discolor your veneers.
Like any other dental procedure, veneers last longer with proper care. Veneers are best maintained with good oral hygiene and regular dental care.
Ready to Learn More?
If you are interested in learning more about dental veneers, contact our Skokie, IL dental practice and schedule an appointment today. Our dentists are always happy to answer your questions and help you feel confident about your smile!
4923 Oakton St., Skokie, IL