If you’re looking for a superfast smile makeover, teeth whitening or cosmetic tooth bonding are speedy treatments that can correct small imperfections in an hour or less. If you want a perfect smile that will last for decades and transform all your teeth – and your entire appearance – it’s time to learn about how long it takes to get porcelain veneers.
Two Dental Visits
The typical porcelain veneers case takes two visits to your Manhattan cosmetic dentist to complete. It may be necessary to include a third visit if the customization portion of the procedure takes longer than usual. Taking your time is a good thing. You want to work with a dentist who is meticulous about the planning of your veneers – color, shape, size, and translucency must all be considered and finalized to ensure that the veneers look just right for your skin tone, face shape, mouth shape, gender, and overall appearance.
The First Visit
The first porcelain veneers appointment is intended to prepare your teeth for the veneers procedure. Planning for the customization of the veneers may occur during this visit as well. The type of veneers a patient chooses will impact how much preparation is required.
If you opt for Microthin veneers or prepless veneers, the amount of prep work needed will be minimal, if any at all. Your teeth will be cleaned and perhaps lightly sanded, but the porcelain shields used to cover the teeth in these procedures is so thin that altering the tooth enamel in any other way is unnecessary. If you opt for traditional porcelain veneers, this treatment requires the removal of some enamel to make room for the slightly thicker porcelain. Conventional veneers are irreversible, but Microthin, prepless, or Lumineers can be reversed in the future without much damage to your natural teeth.
During the first visit, a mold of your mouth will also be taken to help the dental lab in creating the final veneers for your unique teeth.
The Second Visit
Typically, a few weeks will elapse between your first porcelain veneers visit and the second visit. During the second and final appointment, your veneers will be put in place. The procedure doesn’t happen immediately though.
First, your NYC cosmetic dentist will temporarily place the veneers on your teeth so you can both review the appearance of each veneer and your smile. If everything looks correct and you are happy with your teeth, the porcelain veneers will be bonded permanently to the front of your teeth using tooth-colored cement and a curing light, then shaped to create a flattering final look.
Your Final Smile Makeover
Two dental visits for one procedure may seem like a lot of time but it really is not – the results are a long-lasting, white, straight, flawless smile that can last for a lifetime with the proper care. That’s worth the few hours you put in to getting the veneers just right.
Find out if veneers are the right smile makeover treatment for you. Contact Manhattan dentist Dr. Michael J. Wei today to schedule your consultation.
