The Porcelain Veneer Process
Step 1: Consultation and Personalized Smile Design
Your journey begins with a thorough consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Smyrna & East Point. During this visit, Dr. Jarrett Manning will:
- Evaluate your oral health to ensure you’re a good candidate for veneers.
- Discuss your goals for your smile, including shape, size, and shade preferences.
- Take X-rays or impressions to assess your teeth and gums.
- Use digital smile design technology (in some cases) to preview your potential results.
This is the perfect time to ask questions and share any concerns. Our dental team may also recommend alternative treatments, such as teeth whitening or orthodontics, if veneers aren’t the best fit.
Step 2: Tooth Preparation
Once you’ve decided to proceed with traditional porcelain veneers, the next step is preparing your natural teeth for veneers. This involves:
- Removing a thin layer of enamel (typically 0.5 to 1 mm) from the front of your teeth to make room for the veneers. This ensures a natural fit and prevents the veneers from looking bulky.
- Taking precise impressions of your teeth, which are sent to a dental lab to create your custom dental veneers.
- Placing temporary veneers (if needed) to protect your teeth while the permanent ones are being crafted.
The enamel removal process is minimally invasive and usually performed under local anesthesia to ensure comfort. Some patients may opt for no-prep veneers, which require little to no natural tooth enamel removal.
Step 3: Veneer Fabrication
Your custom porcelain veneers are crafted by skilled technicians in a dental laboratory. This process typically takes one to two weeks. The lab uses your impressions and your dentist’s specifications to create veneers that match your desired shape, size, and color.
Step 4: Bonding the Veneers
During your final appointment, our dentist will:
- Check the fit and color of the dental veneers, making any necessary adjustments.
- Clean and etch your teeth to create a strong bonding surface.
- Use dental cement to attach the veneers to your teeth permanently.
- Cure the cement with a special light to secure the veneers in place.
- Polish the veneers for a smooth, natural finish.
Once bonded, your new smile is ready to shine! Most patients leave our dental office in Smyrna & East Point feeling confident and thrilled with their results.