Bring a radiant, beautiful smile to your holiday parties this season with the help of porcelain veneers. In just a few visits to the Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry office, you can have a brighter, more aesthetic smile in time for the season’s festivities.
Dr. John Schmid is an LVI-trained cosmetic dentist who is highly experienced in treating patients with porcelain veneers. He will work with you to make the porcelain veneer process streamlined and convenient, so you can enjoy your enhanced smile as soon as possible.
Porcelain Veneers Timeline
From start to finish, porcelain veneers take about two to three weeks. You can have your porcelain veneers in as few as three office visits.
Porcelain Veneers Consultation
The first step in the porcelain veneer process is a consultation with Dr. Schmid. The consultation provides an opportunity for you to discuss your treatment goals with Dr. Schmid. Dr. Schmid will also examine your teeth and asses your oral health to determine if you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers. If your teeth have significant decay or are structurally weak, he may recommend a dental crown to improve both the function and appearance of the damaged tooth.
Porcelain Veneers Tooth and Veneer Preparation
Preparing the Tooth
The next step is to prepare your tooth. One advantage of porcelain veneers is that a minimal amount of enamel needs to be removed. Dr. Schmid will remove the precise amount of enamel to allow for the veneer to sit evenly with your natural teeth. In most cases, this amounts to about a half of a millimeter.
Taking the Impression
After the tooth is prepared, Dr. Schmid will take an impression. This mold of your teeth and gums provides all of the details the dental lab will need to create a custom veneer that fits with your smile.
Shade Selection
You and Dr. Schmid will choose an appropriate shade for your veneer. While you may think whiter is better, Dr. Schmid is able to recommend the shade that will look most natural in your smile. In order to brighten your whole smile, you may want to opt for a teeth whitening treatment prior to choosing a shade.
Veneer Creation and Temporary Veneers
The impression and shade information will be sent to a dental lab where your porcelain veneer will be crafted. It can take one to two weeks for the lab to make your veneer. If your tooth is very sensitive or not aesthetically acceptable to you, a temporary veneer can be placed until the dental lab has completed your custom veneer.
Porcelain Veneers Final Steps
Seating your Porcelain Veneer
You will return to our office to have your veneer placed. Before bonding the porcelain veneer to your tooth, Dr. Schmid checks the size, shape, and shade to ensure an aesthetic fit. He may shave, round, or otherwise adjust the veneer to achieve optimal results.
Once you and Dr. Schmid are satisfied with the shape and size, he will clean the surface of your tooth and etch the enamel to allow for secure bonding. A bonding agent is then applied to your tooth.
Dental cement is applied to the inside of your veneer, and then the veneer is put in its optimal position. Dr. Schmid uses a curing light to heat the bonding agent and cement so they set, securing your veneer to your tooth.
Final Touches
Dr. Schmid will remove any excess cement, check your bite, and polish if needed. At that point, your treatment is complete, and you can enjoy your new smile.
Schedule your Porcelain Veneer Consultation in Austin
Depending on how long the lab needs to create your veneer, you can have your new smile in as little as two to three weeks. While there is still time to have a new smile by the holidays, don’t delay in scheduling your consultation to get the process started. Holiday lab closures can add days to the porcelain veneer timeline, so call us at 512-329-5967 today. We serve patients in the communities of Austin, Bee Cave, and Lakeway, Texas.