As you start the process of getting veneers, you might be looking forward to the final results. You’ll get a smile that you dreamed of, that not only looks great but feels just like natural. Before you get these final porcelain shells placed, you get a short-lived set bonded on. You might be wondering why you have to wear temporary veneers for the time being, so continue reading to learn more about them and why they are important.
What Are Temporary Veneers?
Your first appointment for veneers involves preparing your teeth. Your dentist will remove a thin amount of your enamel to help ensure your permanent set sits flush against your smile. You will get dental impressions taken that are sent to a dental lab, where a skilled technician individually crafts each shell out of porcelain.
It takes about two weeks for them to finish, so you will wear temporary veneers in the meantime. These are usually made out of resin or acrylic that have pre-selected shapes and sizes. They are likely to feel a bit bulky (which can be normal), but they let you do a trial run of your new smile.
Why Do I Have to Wear Temporary Veneers?
After your initial visit, the outer layer of your teeth has been thinned out just a bit, and it cannot grow back. Any harmful bacteria in your mouth are more likely to erode it and cause problems to the inner dentin, whether that’s an infection or a cavity. Thankfully, your temporary veneers act like a shield! Acid-producing plaque cannot cause any problems, and it lets you ensure your smile stays strong during this time.
Not only that, but since these short-lived shells will look similar to your permanent veneers, they let you do a trial run. Once you have them in, you can let your dentist know about any concerns you have about the appearance. That way, they can make minor adjustments to ensure you feel comfortable and confident with your permanent veneers in the end.
While you may have initially imagined that a temporary set doesn’t do much, they can do a lot for your smile! They are an important part of the veneers process that protects your smile while your permanent ones are being crafted. Remember these benefits as your dentist places them. Don’t think of them as an “extra” step, but bringing you closer to showing off a renewed grin!
About the Author
Dr. David Fisher has over 20 years of experience that he uses to help the Greensboro community get the smiles they are proud of. By offering several different cosmetic dental treatments, like veneers, he can help you tackle a wide range of dental flaws. Dr. Fisher works with a dental lab to ensure that each porcelain shell is crafted according to your smile and gives you results that you feel confident in. If you have flaws in your teeth that you want to fix, schedule an appointment or call his office at (336) 288-1242.