First Appointment: Diagnosis & Planning for Dental Veneers

A diagnosis of your dental problems as well as development of your treatment plan occur on your first appointment.

You’ll start the initial steps of the process by discussing your goals with Dr. Kasen.

Dr. Kasen may ask you to provide examples of teeth and smiles that you like and discuss your desires and preferences, as well as any limitations that you may have.

Then they will examine and make impressions of your bite, look at your smile and face from every angle, ask you to make various expressions and take pictures of each one from the front and side, and even inspect how you talk to be sure that your newly enhanced teeth don’t affect your voice or speech patterns.

During this preliminary appointment, Dr. Kasen will take X-rays of your mouth in order to ascertain any issues with your mouth, then create a mold or impression of your teeth and/or perform a digital 3D scan of your teeth that they will then use to craft your new veneers, which will be fitted, coloured, and engineered to create your stunning new smile.

Your temporary veneers may take anywhere from a week to a month to get ready for your next appointment.

Second Appointment: Temporary Dental Veneers

A review of your customised veneers will happen on your second appointment.

Constructed from a liquid composite, you’ll wear your temporary veneers for several days or more to try out your new look and give Dr. Kasen feedback before your permanent veneers are installed.

Dr. Kasen will trim and shape your temporary veneers to precisely fit your teeth during this appointment, as well as painting them the to color match your existing teeth.

You’ll typically have your temporary veneers for 2-3 weeks, during which you will be able to “live with” your new teeth, allowing you to give Dr. Kasen feedback and advise on any changes to be made before your final appointment where your new veneers are cemented to your teeth.

These temporary veneers are similar to test driving a car you’re thinking of purchasing before ordering your final var with the exact finishes customized to your preference.

Your temporary veneers and all other preparation allows Dr. Kasen to design your renewed smile before ever touching your actual teeth, minimizing the grinding or drilling needed and reducing potential damage and stress to your teeth underneath the porcelain veneers.

Dentists generally aim for a .5mm reduction of each tooth before placing a full veneer. Partial veneers may require less while no-prep veneers require no sanding, drilling, or grinding, just a thorough cleaning and polishing.

Third Appointment: Installing the Dental Veneers

Your new teeth veneers are actually installed in the third and final appointment.

Dr. Kasen will place your new veneers over your teeth before cementing them in place to determine if any final adjustments to the fit, shape, or colour are needed. Colour can be adjusted with the shade of dental cement used to affix them.

Once you and Dr. Kasen are satisfied with the look of the veneer over each tooth, they will then be bonded in place.

Performed under local anesthetic (or numbing agents), the veneer procedure takes several hours and involves a careful deep cleaning the teeth before permanently cementing the porcelain veneers to your teeth

Next, dental bond is applied and cured using an ultraviolet light to harden and bind the adhesive that secures your new veneers to your teeth.

Lastly, excess cement is removed and final adjustments are made as Dr. Kasen assesses the look and placement of the veneers, ensuring they fit your bite and are comfortable as well as attractive.

Once that’s done, you’re all ready to debut your new smile!

Once the anesthetic wears off, you’ll be able to talk, eat, and otherwise behave normally, although your jaw and mouth area may be sore for several days.

After you’ve lived with your permanent teeth veneers for several weeks, you’ll have a follow up visit to make sure everything is healing nicely and your gums and bite are responding properly to the new additions to your teeth.