If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about your smile, you owe it to yourself to ask our cosmetic dentists about getting dental veneers.

Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells bonded to the fronts of your teeth. Typically, we only apply them to teeth that show when you smile or talk.

Not only are porcelain veneers durable enough to last you for years to come, but they also mimic the shape and color of your natural tooth enamel. That way, you can smile with confidence.

Getting dental veneers is a three-step process. Let’s look at the steps you’ll need to take to transform your smile.

1. Initial Consultation

The first step of any smile makeover is to schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists. During the meeting, our dentist will discuss all of your cosmetic dentistry options so you can make the best choice for your smile.

For example, if you’re worried about a single fractured tooth, we may recommend a dental crown. However, multiple small chips may call for porcelain veneers instead.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?

Good candidates may have teeth that are:

• Chipped
• Gapped
• Discolored
• Irregularly shaped
• Crooked

It’s a good idea to check with your dental insurance company to learn how much of the cost they’ll cover for cosmetic veneers.

2. First Appointment

During your first appointment, our dentist will remove enough enamel from the fronts of your teeth to make room for your new veneers. This prevents your teeth from looking overly large or bulky.

Most patients don’t need pain relievers for enamel removal. However, if you experience any dental discomfort during the procedure, be sure to let our dentist know so they can give you a local anesthetic.

Once your receiving teeth have been prepped, we’ll take dental impressions and send them to the lab that will make your new veneers. Typically, this takes about one to two weeks. In the meantime, we may place a temporary set on your teeth while you wait for your second appointment.

3. Second Appointment

When you come back for your second appointment, your custom-made porcelain veneers will be waiting for you. Our dentist will make sure the fit and color of your permanent set are just right.

Don’t be alarmed if our dentist needs to slightly alter the veneers. This is a normal part of the process to make sure your dental cosmetics look and feel natural. After all, we want to make sure that your smile looks good for years to come.

Next, our dentist will clean, polish, and etch the fronts of your receiving teeth so they can bond strongly with the veneers. We’ll then use a special type of dental cement to attach them permanently to your teeth. After your veneers are in place, our dentist will make sure your bite is good before sending you home with your new smile.

Achieve Your Best Smile With Porcelain Veneers

Our Grand Rapids, MI, cosmetic dentists are dedicated to helping patients achieve their best smiles with cosmetic dental procedures like porcelain veneers. Call GR Family Dental today at (616) 455-3020, or contact us online to request an appointment today.

This blog post has been updated.