Veneers
Few dental procedures impact personal appearance as dramatically as veneers. Veneers offer a relatively conservative approach to changing a tooth's color and shape-veneers generally don't require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative to dental bonding
Veneers are wafer-thin, individually crafted
porcelien shells, colored matched to cover and often
dramatically inhance a patient's appearance. They are bonded to the
front of
the teeth altering their color, shape, size
and/or length.
While veneers may be produced from resin composit materials (see "Dental Bonding"), porcelain veneers resist stains far better and, due to the transluscence of dental porcelien, reflect light more naturally.
Opting for Veneers - An Important Decision
Porcelien veneers permanently alter existing teeth - the process is not reversable. Veneers are not a good choice for individuals with unhealthy teeth (for example, those with decay or active periodontal disease), weakened teeth (as a result of decay, fracture, large dental fillings) or for those who have an inadequate amount of existing enamel on the tooth surface and who clench and grind their teeth. Additionally, veneers generally last between 5 and 10 years, after which they would need to be replaced. Consequently, the first step in the design and placement of veneers involves careful consultation and treatment planning. And, because their long term success depends in large measure upon sound oral hygeine, recommitting to good oral hygiene is usually the first step that we ask a patient to take.
Getting Started
At Deadwood Dental, we prefer to perform an initial examination in order to uncover any underlying problems that could detract from the success of the procedure. We will likely take x-rays and initial impressions. In addition, we'll discuss the patients expectations as they relate to the overall treatment, as well as the long term committment that veneers require.
Either during the initial consultation or
during the next
scheduled visit, we will begin by removing around .5 mm of enamel from
the tooth
surface, depending upon the thickness of each planned veneer. An
impression of the prepared tooth surface(s) will then be taken, from
which a model is prepared for use by the dental labratory. Since
production of veneers take approximately a week to 10
days, temporary veneers may, at the patient's discretion, be
placed by the dentist.
During the next visit, the dentist will
temporarily place each
veneer that has been received from the dental labratory on the
corresponding tooth to
examine it for fit and color. The dentist will trim and replace the
veneer, sometimes several time, until the proper fit is acheived.
Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the veneer, it
is cleaned, polished and 
etched to ensure the stongest bond
possible. A special optical catilyst cement is applied to the
bonding surfaces and then the veneer is carefully set in place. When
the dentist is
satisfied with the position, a light source designed to activate the
chemical in the cement will be applied. The light
will activate
chemicals in the cement causing it to harden or cure very
quickly.
After the veneer has been secured
we remove any
excess cement, evaluate the patient's bite and
make any
final adjustments that may be necessary. We then schedule a follow up
appointment to see how the patient's
gums are
responding to the presence of the veneer(s).
Although an overview of treatment options is provided in this section of the website, care is always individually tailored to address particular needs and then only after close consultation with the patient.
Please feel free to discuss any questions you may have regarding the content in our website with either Dr. Hopper or Dr. Mills. Either will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
You may reach the clinic at 605-578-3810 or 800-641-2035,
or
email us at:
deadwooddental@mato.com