Saint Louis Cosmetic Dentist Explains How Natural Teeth are Reduced in Preparation for Dental Veneers

Written by Dr. Grayem on Sep 4, 2012

Samantha called our office and spoke to our Saint Louis Cosmetic dentists about wanting to change her smile—she just felt that her smile wasn’t looking as perfect and luminous as she wanted. Samantha had considered a number of cosmetic treatments, but she had pretty much decided that she was interested in pursuing dental veneers. We schedule a consultation with Samantha, so that we could review her treatment process and help her understand what the dental veneers process is like.

When Samantha came in for her consultation, we spent some time explaining how the dental veneers process progresses. Although Samantha knew that she wanted the clean, perfected look that dental veneers provide, she wasn’t sure how this is accomplished.

We told her that to begin treatment we’d determine her dental goals and make sure that veneers were suitable for her given the current state of her teeth and gums.

Proceeding with treatment, our team will shave off some of the patient’s existing dental enamel. This is crucial for ensuring a good fit—if the tooth is not shaved down before the veneer is placed, the veneer will stick and look and feel bulky in the mouth.

Once the tooth has been altered, we’ll be able to take a final impression of the tooth. This impression will be used to craft the permanent veneer. The permanent veneer will be designed, therefore, to fit exactly on top of the altered tooth. Once the veneer is crafted and complete, we simply affix the veneer to the tooth with dental adhesive.

Samantha chose to pursue dental veneers treatment, and she’s been thrilled with the results! In just three appointments she was able to transform her smile completely. If you’d like more information about dental veneers, give our Saint Louis cosmetic dental office a call—we’re here to help you realize your dream smile!