What is a Dental Veneer?

If your teeth are discolored, misshapen, crooked, damaged, or otherwise unsightly, you may be a candidate for dental veneers. This specific treatment can restore your smile and give you confidence in appearance. 

The following guide minimally explains the process of getting dental veneers. If you have additional questions, it’s best to speak with Dr. Skoulas at an aesthetic consultation. She can explain if dental veneers would help solve your concerns. 

What Are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is essentially a small porcelain shell that mimics the appearance of the front of a healthy tooth. Unlike dentures, implants, or dental bridges, veneers serve exclusively as aesthetic restorations. They do not replace teeth that are missing entirely and are not meant to replace large amounts of tooth structure that is missing. 

The Dental Veneer Patient Experience: Bullet Points

The process of receiving dental veneers typically involves these steps:

• Consultation: Dr. Skoulas will listen to your aesthetic concerns during a 30 minute consultation. She will use her 15 years of experience to offer you a variety of treatment options to address your concerns. If you are a candidate for dental veneers she will provide you with this option. 
• Full Exam and Smile Design: A full exam and full series of x-rays will be completed, including an intraoral scan, photographs, and impressions of the teeth.  These diagnostics will be used to fabricate a smile design that will be present at your next appointment as a blueprint of the final porcelain veneers. 
• Preparing the teeth: Your dentist will likely need to remove a very small amount of enamel from the front of the teeth that are to receive porcelain veneers. This is to ensure that the porcelain does not fracture and is long lasting. You will leave this appointment wearing a temporary made of acrylic for three weeks. Wearing the temporary will give you an opportunity to preview what your future veneers will look like as a smile design. 
• Cementation of the Porcelain Veneers: At this appointment, we will remove the temporary made of acrylic, clean the teeth of debris, and permanently bond the porcelain veneers to your enamel. This is done after you have an opportunity to take a look at the porcelain and agree to the shape and color of your future teeth.  

After receiving your veneers, the dentist will typically recommend that you schedule a follow-up appointment for a nightguard. It is typical to want to protect your investment from daily wear and tear through wearing a nightguard every night.  

Caring for Dental Veneers

According to the American Dental Association, veneers tend to stay in good condition for an average of 10 years. Tips for optimizing the lifespan of your dental veneers include:

• Avoid grinding your teeth through the usage of a nightguard
• Don’t chew your fingernails or other hard objects, like pens
• Don’t try to open packages with your teeth
• Practice good dental and oral hygiene
• See your dentist regularly for cleanings
• Wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth when playing sports

If you're unhappy with your smile due to stained or misshapen teeth, it may be possible to correct the issue with dental veneers. These durable porcelain shells resemble healthy teeth, covering up any teeth that make you self conscious. Dr, Skoulas will discuss this option with you if you are a good candidate at the initial aesthetic consultation. 

Learn More About Dental Veneers

Do you live in San Francisco and wish to change the appearance of your smile with dental veneers? If so, Dr. Skoulas would be happy to see you. Get started by contacting us online or calling us at 415-757-0110.