Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head SC
Getting veneers can be life-changing for individuals dealing with tooth damage, chipped or gapped teeth, or that want to enhance their smile. Veneers are thin porcelain shell-like coverings that bond directly to the front surface of each tooth. With a permanent bond, your results will be long-lasting. Veneers never stain and can last for years with proper care and maintenance. Explore if veneers are right for you and what to expect during the process at Chris Mohler, DDS.
Process for Veneers
The Consultation
Before undergoing cosmetic dental treatments, Dr. Mohler recommends a consultation. If you are a new patient to our office, we ask that you complete all required new patient paperwork, including a complete health history form. We occasionally ask current patients to verify or update their personal health records. Dr. Mohler begins your consultation by asking questions regarding what you would like to change about your teeth. Be specific, and mention every aspect that bothers you. This way, Dr. Mohler can present the best options for your case. We also may collect digital images to get a deeper look at the structures we cannot see, like your jawbone, and tooth roots.
Dr. Mohler also provides a complete oral health examination to address any chronic dental problems and determines if you are a candidate for veneers. During this visit, we encourage you to ask any questions that you may have about the procedure, timeline, costs, and payment options. Dr. Mohler will help you decide how many veneers you need and the porcelain shading – whether you desire to cover a single tooth to blend with your other teeth or want to brighten your entire smile with veneers.
The Treatment
Once your treatment day arrives, you are seated in a comfortable dental chair. Then, Dr. Mohler greets you and confirms your treatment. To ensure your comfort, Dr. Mohler will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. The next step in the process for veneers involves removing a small portion of your tooth, which creates room for the restorations and helps provide a better, more secure bond for the veneers.
Digital Scans
Once Dr. Mohler preps the teeth, digital scans are taken of your teeth and bite using a small, intraoral wand. It is safe and effective as it transmits the data to our computer software. Dr. Mohler makes minor adjustments to the scans, perfecting the size, shape, and margins of your veneers. Then, we electronically send the data to our in-house milling unit, where the veneers are custom fabricated during your wait. In some cases, however, impressions of your mouth may be needed, and a dental laboratory makes your veneers off-site, which may take a couple of weeks to complete. If this is the case for you, temporary veneers are placed over your teeth until your permanent restorations are ready.
Try-On
Once the milling is complete, the veneers can be tried on each tooth to ensure a proper fit. Additional adjustments to the bite can be made at this time. Before bonding the veneers, the porcelain coverings are baked in a special oven and then polished for a sheen finish.
Bonding the Veneers
When ready, Dr. Mohler bonds the veneers onto your teeth. The results are astounding! Dental porcelain looks and feels like natural dental enamel. It even possesses the same light-reflecting qualities as natural teeth. You now have a new and improved smile!
Veneers in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
Veneers can dramatically improve your smile. If you would like to learn more about veneers or see if it is the right procedure for you, please call Chris Mohler, DDS, at (843) 522-1442 or complete a Contact Form today.