Cosmetic Dentistry 101: Preparing the Teeth for Porcelain Veneers By Roni S. Berbari, DMD on September 13, 2017

There can be no doubting that, among the many outstanding cosmetic dentistry treatments available, none surpasses porcelain veneers in terms of their ability to transform an ordinary smile into something extraordinary. Whether used to treat a single tooth or as the foundation for a comprehensive smile makeover, porcelain veneers are among the most versatile, customizable, and natural-looking treatments in all of dentistry, cosmetic or otherwise. If you have one or more teeth that are cracked, chipped, discolored, separated by gaps, or otherwise aesthetically flawed, porcelain veneers may represent the ideal solution for you.

As with any other dental treatment, however, there are components of the porcelain veneers application process that patients must fully understand before they can be considered good candidates for treatment. In the case of porcelain veneers, there is a preparation process that must occur prior to veneer placement. Dr. Roni S. Berbari discusses the issue of preparing the teeth for porcelain veneers during consultations at his Montreal, QC cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry practice so that patients know precisely what to expect before committing to treatment.

Are you a good candidate for porcelain veneers? To find out, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Roni S. Berbari at Montreal Smiles today.

How Are the Teeth Prepared for Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are the most natural-looking restorations available in dentistry. They are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dr. Berbari provides exact specifications to skilled technicians at a trusted dental laboratory, where our porcelain veneers are hand-crafted so that they complement the surrounding natural teeth of patients in terms of color, shape, size, and even texture. Patients emerge with aesthetically pleasing smiles that look entirely natural and completely unique.

However, for porcelain veneers to appear completely natural, they cannot simply be bonded to the front surfaces of existing teeth. If they were, they would appear to “stick out.” Therefore, a small amount of enamel must be removed from the surfaces of the teeth to which veneers are to be bonded. The amount of enamel to be removed is roughly equivalent to the thickness of the veneer that is to be placed.

Fortunately, Dr. Berbari provides our patients with porcelain veneers that are extremely thin so that only a tiny amount of enamel needs to be removed. While thin, these veneers are also crafted from the finest medical-grade porcelain available, so they are also exceptionally strong and durable. In general, the amount of enamel that Dr. Berbari removes is approximately the width of an eggshell. Nevertheless, patients must realize that, once this enamel is removed, they will always require porcelain veneers. If their porcelain veneers become dislodged or, as will eventually be the case, require replacement, they cannot choose to go back to their untreated teeth. They will have to be fitted with new porcelain veneers.