Confident, Natural-Looking Smiles with Veneers

This is where I get to meet you and understand what brings you in. Some patients want a small improvement. Some want a dramatic smile makeover. Some have worn-down teeth, old bonding, old crowns, bite problems, or a combination of cosmetic and functional concerns. Many patients come in knowing how many veneers they’ll need.

I take into account what the patient thinks they want but I also try to make them understand the results they will get and the different options with more or less veneers.I take photos and a digital scan of your teeth so I can really evaluate your smile, bite, tooth shape, proportions, and overall dental health. If you have a lot of existing dental work, cavities, crowns, or other concerns, I may also take x-rays.

Then I’ll go over what I recommend, how many veneers I recommend you need, and whether anything else needs to be done before we start. Every case is different, and this is why planning matters so much.

Before we start the actual veneers process, I take detailed records of your face, smile, and teeth. I use these photos to design the smile and make sure the shape, length, and proportions make sense for your face.

This is the part I really love because small details make a huge difference. A smile can look beautiful on a model but not fit a real person’s face. I’m looking at how the teeth frame your smile, how much tooth shows when you talk, how the smile fits your lips, and whether the final result will look natural on you.

From there, I work with the lab to create a mock-up so we have a clear plan before touching the teeth.

This is the appointment where I shape the teeth, take the final scan or impression, and make your temporary veneers.

The question everyone asks is, “How much tooth do you have to remove?” And the answer really depends on your teeth and your goals. I always remove the minimum amount needed to get the best result.

If we are making teeth bigger, longer, or bringing them slightly forward, sometimes I barely have to remove anything. If the teeth are flared, crowded, dark, or if we are closing spaces or black triangles, then I may need to shape more so the veneers do not look bulky or fake.

This is why planning is so important. I need to know where I want the final tooth position to be to determine how much tooth I have to remove, if any. If I remove too little, the veneers may look thick or unnatural. If I remove too much, then we lose more tooth structure than needed. My goal is always to find that balance so the veneers look beautiful, natural, and still preserve as much healthy tooth as possible.

You will be numb during this appointment, so you should not feel pain while I am working. Afterward, sensitivity or gum soreness is normal and usually improves each day.

After you wear the temporary veneers for a few days, I’ll see you again to evaluate them. This appointment is extremely important.

This is when you tell me what you like, what you want adjusted, and how everything feels when you smile, talk, and bite. I also take a lot of close-up and full-face photos because veneers cannot just look good up close. They have to look good in your face.

I spend a lot of time refining aand designing the temporaries because the final veneers are based on them. If the temporaries look natural, fit your face, and look almost perfect, then I can be ensure the final veneers will be just as good and even better. The temporaries is how I communicate to the lab as to how exactly to make the veneers. We will also choose the shade in this appointment and the different characteristics you may want to add to your final veneers. 

The final veneers are usually ready about three weeks later.

At this appointment, I remove the temporaries, try in the veneers, and let you see them before they are bonded. Once you love them, we cement them permanently.

This appointment takes time because bonding veneers is very technique-sensitive. The gums need to be healthy, there should be no bleeding, and the teeth need to stay very dry. I take my time cleaning everything, bonding each veneer properly, removing excess cement, and checking your bite. You will feel pretty sore after this appointment as the cement and bond make the teeth sensitive and the gums will feel sore from removing excess cement. Advil and Tylenol is the best pain relief if needed. 

After the veneers are placed, I’ll usually see you again to check your bite, gums, comfort, and overall result.

Most patients will need a night guard or retainers especially if they grind or clench. Veneers are strong, but they still need to be protected. Regular cleanings, good home care, and wearing your night guard/retainers are what help keep your veneers healthy and beautiful for many years.

The goal is not just to give you a pretty smile the day we cement the veneers. The goal is to give you a smile that looks natural, feels comfortable, functions well, and lasts.