How Are Porcelain Veneers Done? A Step-by-Step Guide for San Francisco Patients

Considering dental veneers to upgrade your smile?

At ME Dental SF, Dr. Olivia Moran specializes in creating custom porcelain veneers to
fix chips, gaps, discoloration, worn teeth, and more — giving patients a naturally
beautiful, confident smile.

One of the most common questions we hear from patients is:‍

“How exactly are veneers done?”‍

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the veneer process — and exactly how Dr. Moran
personally designs and performs each veneer transformation at ME Dental SF.

Step 1: Consultation, Records, and Smile Design

Your journey begins with a personalized consultation.
During this visit, Dr. Moran will:

• Take a full set of digital X-rays and perform a comprehensive dental exam
• Digitally scan your teeth to create a 3D model of your smile and bite
• Discuss your smile goals, concerns, and ideal aesthetic outcome
• Determine if veneers are the right treatment for you
• Decide how many veneers are needed for an optimal smile and function

After the consultation:

• A mock-up of your veneers will be fabricated based on your scans and photos.
• This mock-up provides a preview of your future smile and will be used to craft your temporary veneers.

Optional: If you choose to whiten your teeth beforehand, we can perform whitening during this appointment. (Tip: After whitening, avoid colored foods or drinks for 48 hours
to prevent staining!)

⏳ It typically takes 1.5 weeks for the lab to create the mock-up.

Step 2: Tooth Preparation and Temporary Veneers

Once the mock-up is ready, you’ll return for the preparation appointment, where:

1. We gently numb the teeth (anti-anxiety medication is available if desired).
2. A thin layer of enamel (about 0.5mm) is carefully removed to create space for the veneers.
3. Final impressions are taken to guide the design of your permanent veneers.
4. Temporary veneers are made chairside and bonded to your teeth based on the mock-up design.

Post-Prep Care Instructions:

• Avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth (e.g., sandwiches, pizza).
• Use a soft brush and a Waterpik daily to clean around your temporaries.
• Rinse nightly with warm salt water to soothe your gums.
• No flossing between temporary veneers — instead, use an interproximal brush after meals.
• Drink coffee or dark beverages through a straw.

💡 Maintaining healthy gums during this phase is critical for a smooth final veneer placement!

Step 3: Temporary Veneer Evaluation and Shade Selection

About 4–5 days later, you’ll come in for a post-op check where we:

• Check your bite and make sure there are no high spots or chewing discomfort.
• Fine-tune the shape, length, and thickness of your temporaries.
• Decide if you want to adjust the shade lighter or darker before the final veneers are made.
• Finalize the design details — including glossiness, translucency, and surface anatomy.

Your feedback here is key to ensuring you LOVE the final result!

Step 4: Final Veneer Cementation

After finalizing all details, your cement appointment is scheduled (typically 2.5 weeks after your post-op).

Here’s what happens:

1. Anti-anxiety medication can be prescribed to help you feel relaxed.
2. Teeth are gently numbed.
3. Temporaries are removed.
4. Permanent veneers are tried in — you get to approve how they look before anything is bonded!
5. Veneers are bonded to your teeth using dental-grade adhesive and a special curing light.
6. Excess cement is cleaned, and your bite is refined for a seamless, natural feel.
7. A final digital scan is taken to create your upper retainers.

Post-Cement Care Instructions:

• Gums may feel tender from cement clean-up — rinse with warm salt water nightly.
• Minor tooth sensitivity is normal and can last for several weeks.
• Brush and floss daily, and keep up with regular dental cleanings.

Step 5: Follow-Up & Smile Maintenance

One week later, you’ll return for:

• Delivery of your custom retainers to protect your new smile.
• Final bite check and any necessary minor adjustments to veneer length or fit.

✨ After that — your beautiful, confident new smile is officially complete!

Is the Veneer Procedure Painful?

Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the actual veneer procedure thanks to local anesthesia and our gentle techniques.

However, post-operative sensitivity is completely normal and expected — especially after the veneers are cemented.

You may experience:

• Gum soreness from cleaning around the veneers
• Tooth sensitivity to cold, heat, or air
• Minor jaw or bite tenderness

Sensitivity can last for a few days to a few weeks — and in more sensitive cases, up to 90 days.
We recommend rinsing with warm salt water nightly, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth, and taking over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil) as needed for comfort.

If you experience sharp pain when biting or chewing, it could be due to a high spot or chewing interference on your veneers. This is easily corrected — just call us, and we’ll bring you in for a quick bite adjustment to ensure everything feels perfect. ‍

Temporary tenderness is a normal part of the healing process, and with proper care, you’ll soon be enjoying your beautiful new smile without any sensitivity.

Considering Veneers in San Francisco?

If you are ready to invest in yourself and achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, custom porcelain veneers at ME Dental SF could be the perfect solution.

📍 Book a consultation with Dr. Olivia Moran today!
We can’t wait to help you fall in love with your smile.

📞 Call (415) 404-6644 or

🌐 Visit medentalsf.com to schedule your appointment today.

‍