Dental Veneers in San Marcos

Cosmetic Dentistry: Dental Veneers

Before & After photos of a dental veneer treatment, provided by Dr. Altamiro Flavio.

If you’ve had a dental accident or have a damaged tooth, you may be considering veneers. The advantage of getting veneers instead of crowns is that much less tooth material is removed, and the procedure is generally less uncomfortable. Veneers are also recommended for teeth that have large fillings or little tooth structure. Our office offers veneers for a variety of cosmetic dental issues that can arise, and Dr. Molenda can help find an option that’s perfect for you.

What are Veneers?

A dental veneer is a thin shell, most often made of porcelain or resin, that is placed over a tooth to conceal damage or to make the tooth more shapely. Veneers are made to mimic the color and strength of an actual tooth, and can be custom-made so that they will look and feel natural. Because they are made to blend in, if you’re considering having your teeth whitened it is best to do so before you have veneers applied so that the veneers can be made to match the color of your natural teeth. Veneers are usually only meant to cover the parts of your teeth that are visible when talking or smiling. The procedure used to apply veneers is often known as bonding. This process can be direct or indirect, and usually only requires one or two office visits.

Direct Bonding Method

The direct dental bonding of veneers is usually completed in a single office visit. This type of veneer is made by placing composite resin on the outside of the tooth using bonding. The resin will form the veneer that hides the damaged tooth. This type of bonding can be used to conceal chipped teeth, and even to improve the appearance of teeth that have been severely stained. This is the quickest method of having veneers applied, but it does require more removal of the tooth structure. Usually only one office visit is necessary for this procedure, but a follow up appointment may be scheduled to make sure that the veneer is comfortable.

Indirect Bonding Method

The indirect bonding method is usually completed in two appointments. At the first appointment, the teeth are prepared, impressions are taken, and the teeth are given a temporary covering. The impressions are sent to a dental laboratory so that custom veneers can be made specifically for your teeth. In two to three weeks the veneers are delivered from the laboratory and a second appointment will be made to place them. The temporary coverings are then removed and the custom veneers are bonded to the teeth. The laboratory fabricated veneers are usually made using porcelain or pressed ceramic and are very aesthetic.

If you would like to make an appointment to have veneers placed, or if you would like more information about dental veneers, please contact the office of Dr. Larry D. Molenda in San Marcos, TX.

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