Dental veneers are often used to instantaneously improve the appearance of teeth for many different people. By definition, they are very thin shells that are custom-made from tooth colored materials and designed to cover the front surface of the teeth.

Veneers attach to the front surface of the teeth by tightly bonding to them. They improve the appearance of the color, size, shape and structure of your teeth. For this reason, they lead to the improved appearance of teeth in a very short time.

There is a process that you must go through before you can obtain veneers for your teeth. It involves several trips to the dentist and proper consultations. The key steps that are required involve the following:

Diagnosis and planning

During this step, you will typically explain to your dentist what objectives you have for your teeth. The dentist will then analyze your teeth and determine if it will be practical for you to have veneers equipped. X-rays may be taken to get a better view of your teeth and jaw.

The dentist will also explain what the procedure will involve and what potential ramifications it can have on your dental health. 

Veneer preparation

The next stage is the preparation of the veneer itself. It begins by the dentist removing a layer of enamel from your tooth surface. The dentist may need to use anesthesia to numb the area during the procedure.

The lab normally takes anywhere between 2-4 weeks to construct your veneers.

Bonding the veneer

The final stage involves bonding the veneers to your teeth. The dentist will first ensure a proper fit for the veneers by placing them temporarily across the surface of your teeth. As the dentist places the veneers on you teeth, he/she will constantly adjust them for a proper fit. The color and shading can also be adjusted as the veneer is being installed.

Once the dentist has completed the trial run, they will prepare your teeth for final placement. Your teeth will undergo cleaning, polishing and etching to remove all dirt and rough edges that can interfere with the veneers.

To finish off, a type of cement is added to the veneer, and the veneer is placed on the teeth. The cement bonds very quickly to the tooth surface and cause the veneers to remain firmly in place. A few followup visits may be necessary to ensure that the veneers are properly positioned.