Veneers in Santa Clara, CA
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment used to improve the appearance of teeth. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted from porcelain or composite resin that cover the front surface of the teeth to enhance their shape, color, size, or length.
Dental veneers are known for their:
· Aesthetic Improvements: Veneers can significantly improve the appearance of teeth, addressing issues such as discoloration, chips, gaps, and misalignment.
· Natural Appearance: Veneers are designed to look like natural teeth, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result.
· Durability: With proper care, veneers can last for many years, making them a long-term cosmetic solution.
· Minimal Invasiveness: Compared to crowns, veneers require less removal of the tooth structure.
Veneers at David R. DeLong, DDS
Consultation and Assessment
The process begins with an initial consultation with Dr. DeLong at our Santa Clara dental office. During this visit, he will discuss your goals, examine your teeth, and determine if veneers are the appropriate solution. This may include discussing the desired outcome and potential alternatives.
While veneers are a great choice for almost everyone, they are not appropriate for patients who aggressively grind their teeth or for patients whose teeth are too badly damaged or misaligned. Dr. DeLong will suggest alternatives to veneers in these cases.
If veneers are deemed suitable, Dr. DeLong may take X-rays or iTero® digital impressions of your teeth. This helps in planning the procedure and designing the veneers.
Treatment
To prepare your teeth for veneers, Dr. DeLong will remove a small amount of enamel from the front surface of the teeth. This is typically about 0.5 millimeters, which is roughly the thickness of the veneer. This step is crucial to ensure the veneers fit properly and look natural.
After the teeth are prepared, Dr. DeLong takes another set of iTero digital impressions. These impressions are sent to a dental laboratory where the custom veneers will be fabricated. This process can take a few weeks, as each veneer is custom made to match the ideal color and shape for your smile. In the meantime, we will place temporary veneers to protect the prepared teeth.
Once the veneers are ready, you’ll return to our Santa Clara dental office for the fitting. Dr. DeLong will place the veneers on the teeth to check their fit and color. Adjustments can be made if necessary.
When the fit is perfect, we will clean, polish, and etch the teeth to create a rough surface for the bonding material to adhere to. A special cement is applied to the veneer, and it is then placed on the tooth. Once properly positioned, we use a special light to harden the cement quickly, securing the veneer to the tooth.
Care and Maintenance
Veneers, like any dental restoration, can last for many years and even decades. It really depends on how well you take care of them. Patients need to brush and floss daily, as well as wear an appliance at night to protect them from tooth grinding.
Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also crucial to monitor the condition of the veneers and the health of the natural teeth and gums and help maintain the longevity of your veneers.