Veneer Procedure & Recovery

You may have heard of veneers at one point in your life or another, you might know someone who has veneers, or you may be looking into veneers for yourself. Whatever the case may be, veneers are just one type of oral health dental implant that can drastically alter your smile and strengthen your teeth and jaw for years to come. The experts at Absolute Dental are here to provide a general outline of what to expect when getting veneers.

What Is The Process Of Getting Veneers?

Dental offices throughout the country offer veneers¹, and they can drastically change the impact and brilliance of your smile. Veneers are one of the most practical and easy methods to improve your smile. Veneers can be an option for anyone wanting a whiter smile or a more symmetrical look to their teeth. Veneers can be placed on one tooth or over multiple teeth, depending on your overall goal for your smile and what is recommended by your dentist. 

Types of Veneers

The process of veneers will look different depending on the type of veneers you get. There are a couple of different types of veneers, including porcelain and composite resin veneers.

1. Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are the most extensive process of veneers. While this method can be more painful than other options, porcelain veneers will generally last the longest, are less prone to staining, and most resemble natural-looking teeth.

With porcelain veneers, your dentist will grind down a thin layer of each tooth that veneers will be applied to and take a cast of your teeth to make into a mold. This mold is then sent to a lab where they carefully craft the thin layers of porcelain veneers. 

When your dentist receives your veneers from the lab, your dentist will then carefully place and alter the veneers until they look perfect. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the look and placement, your dentist will then cement the thin veneers onto the teeth, which complete the procedure.

2. Composite Resin Veneers

Composite resin veneers are slightly less painstaking than porcelain veneers. With composite resin veneers, your dentist will etch the teeth that will be receiving veneers and brush a layer of resin over the tooth to form the veneers. Your dentist may build resin layers upon one another to achieve the desired goal. Once the veneers look perfect, your dentist will apply a UV light that hardens the resin, making the veneers hard and durable.

Are you looking to improve your smile? Scheduling an appointment with Absolute Dental is the best way to explore all options available.

Is It Painful To Get Veneers?

Generally, the process of applying veneers does come with some pain. Depending on the type of veneers that you and your dentist have agreed on, there may be minimal to no pain involved in the process. Porcelain veneers will involve the most potential for pain as it is more invasive than composite resin veneers. Luckily, the process of grinding down a thin layer of tooth enamel during the application of porcelain veneers is less painful with the application of a local anesthetic. 

So, to sum it all up, the process of veneers can involve some level of discomfort. Still, with a careful and knowledgeable dentist, the process will be as streamlined and comfortable as possible.

How Long Does the Process of Veneers Take?

The length of time that veneers take will vary depending on the type of veneers you plan on getting. With porcelain veneers, you can expect an average of three appointments with your dentist during the duration of receiving your veneers. Generally, one consultation appointment is followed by an appointment to create a mold of your teeth, and a third appointment to apply and finalize your new smile with porcelain veneers. 

Between appointment times, porcelain veneers are carefully handcrafted at a specialized lab that can take anywhere from one to two weeks, not including the appointments for your consultation and the actual application of the veneers to your teeth.

With composite resin veneers, however, the procedure can generally take place in the length of one appointment with your dentist and typically has a quick recovery time after applying composite resin veneers.

Looking to improve your smile? Veneers may be a good option for you. Contact our dental team today to schedule a visit.

What Foods Can or Can’t You Eat With Veneers?

Thankfully, the recovery time of both porcelain and composite resin veneers is relatively fast. Generally, after the veneer procedure, and once any local anesthetic wears off, you can eat and drink regularly.

Additionally, dentists recommend specific foods to eat after receiving your veneers and foods and liquids to avoid.

Foods You Cannot Eat With Veneers:

• Hard foods like raw vegetables, raw fruit, and candy
• Avoid eating and chewing on ice
• Sticky foods such as caramels
• Tough foods like steak or other tough meat
• Staining foods such as tomatoes, ketchup, or berries
• Staining liquids such as coffee or tea

Foods You Can Eat With Veneers:

• Soft foods such as canned foods
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Bananas
• Pasta

Once your permanent veneers² are placed and bonded, it is essential to practice aftercare to protect your veneers from damage which includes avoiding certain foods and drinks as much as possible. 

Cosmetic dentists in Las Vegas recommend sipping coffee or tea through a straw to limit the time the liquid is in contact with your teeth. Avoiding sticky and hard foods will also help minimize the risk of damaging, chipping, or breaking your permanent veneers.

While no two veneers are crafted the same, you can always expect the same warmth and professionalism from the dentistry staff at Absolute Dental. If you’re considering or looking for porcelain veneers Las Vegas, look no further. The process of veneers may seem daunting, but with the proper care and attention, the application of veneers can be streamlined and effortless.

Sources: 

¹ Improving Your Smile With Dental Veneers. The Journal of The American Dental Association. Retrieved 10 June 2022.

²Veneers. American Dental Association. Retrieved June 10 2022.