Dental Veneers Create a Straight, Dazzling Smile
New York

Dental veneers can change the look of your teeth or correct a damaged tooth.

• Enhances the shape and size of the teeth.
• Improves the colour if teeth whitening has not given a satisfactory result.
• Slight correction of the teeth alignment if the defects are moderate and the orthodontic method should not be used prematurely Invisalign.
• Removal of a gap between two teeth.
• Strengthening a tooth weakened by wear and tear.

Only the incisors, canines and premolars of the upper and/or lower jaw can be treated.

The procedure is carried out in several steps, under local anaesthetic.

Consultation

The dentist will go through a treatment plan adapted to the needs and desires of the patient.

They will then carry out a clinical examination of the mouth, then take a panoramic x-ray to check the general state of the teeth and gums. In the event of cavities and/or periodontal issues, these would need to be treated first before a dental veneer could be applied.

First session

During the first session, the dentist will take an imprint of the patient's teeth. This will allow the dental technician to develop a wax-up / mock-up.

• The wax-up is the ideal tooth model for the patient. This means it can help create a preview of the final aesthetic result.
• The mock-up is the model that allows the dentist to create temporary veneers.

Second session

The second session will take place eight days later, during which the dentist will mould the teeth, take an impression of the pared-down teeth and place temporary dental veneers.

The dentist will start by checking the wax-up with the patient. Then, using a dental drill, they will carefully remove a fine, even layer of enamel about 0.3 mm thick from the outside surface of the teeth.

They will then take an imprint of the patient’s prepared teeth. This will allow the dental technician to sculpt each veneer in such a way as to ensure it is perfectly compatible with the patient's current dentition.

In most cases, except for very damaged teeth, the teeth are kept alive so that the gums remain natural and do not retract, thus ensuring the tooth with the veneer will last almost permanently.

The dentist will then use the mock-up to mould the temporary resin veneers. They will then place this on the patient’s teeth.

The patient can brush their teeth quite normally, but will not be able to use dental floss because the temporary veneers are joined together. They should also avoid hard foods (e.g. apples) or foods that are highly coloured.

Third session

Eight days later, the dentist will place the permanent dental veneers. The session will last one to three hours depending on the individual.

The dentist will begin by removing the temporary veneers and then having the patient try the final veneers to check they are well fitted to the patient’s teeth, especially in terms of aesthetics. If necessary, improvements can be made at this stage.

To ensure the internal face of the veneer and the external face of the tooth can be perfectly attached together, the dentist will start by treating the surface to create adhesion sites, then will add a bonding agent and glue. Finally, they will adjust each veneer very carefully, one by one, in the patient’s mouth.

The gums will be red for several days. The patient might also feel a temporary sensation of heat / cold on the teeth.

The results are very natural, and the ceramic dental veneer will not be distinguishable from the other teeth.

Ceramic veneers last between 10 and 15 years.

• They strengthen fragile teeth and ensure the patient can chew with maximum comfort.
• They are resistant to food stains (coffee, tea, wine, etc.) and tobacco.

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent the tooth beneath the veneer from getting cavities.