Getting to Know the Restoration Process
Patients often ask us about dental veneers, wanting to improve their smile, but they’re not always sure what’s involved. They worry about concerns such as discomfort, whether it’s permanent and how long the veneers will last, or if they’re really the right solution for their dental problems.
From a clinical perspective, veneers are not simply cosmetic enhancements — they are restorative procedures based on established principles in U.S. dentistry. When planned and performed using evidence-based methods, they can provide a durable, natural-looking result while supporting long-term oral health.
At NewStar Dental, we approach veneers in a very methodical way. Each step is aimed at balancing aesthetics, function and biological considerations, so you get a result that looks natural and will perform well over time.
What Are Veneers and How Do They Work?
Veneers are thin dental restorations that get bonded onto the front of your teeth to make them look better. The American Dental Association says they’re often used to sort out discoloration, enamel wear, small gaps between your teeth, minor cracks and irregular tooth shapes, provided your teeth and surrounding tissues are in good condition [1].
Clinically, veneers are considered a more conservative option than full crowns because they leave more of your natural tooth structure intact. But they’re not right for everyone and must be prescribed carefully, based on what we see when we examine your teeth.
From a professional point of view, veneers are usually a good idea for patients who:
- Have enough enamel left to bond to properly
- Look after their teeth and gums well and are low risk for decay
- Have mild to moderate complaints about the appearance of their teeth
- Have a stable bite without too much stress on their teeth
On the other hand, veneers might not be the best bet if you’ve got advanced decay, active gum disease, clenching problems or a serious bite issue that needs sorting out first. If we don’t follow these guidelines, it can increase the risk of veneer failure or other problems [1].
Veneer Materials – What’s the Difference?
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are made by a dental lab and are still the material of choice for most aesthetic cases. They look a lot like your natural teeth, giving great translucency and color stability.
Long-term studies show that porcelain veneers often have survival rates of over 90% at 10 years, particularly if they’re bonded to healthy enamel and you take proper care of them [2]. The fact that they’re resistant to staining makes them a great choice for people who want a smile that will stay looking good for years to come.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers can all be done in one visit. They might be used in cases where you’re looking for a quick fix or where you need to be able to take them out at some point in the future.
However, composite materials tend to wear out faster and can get discolored a bit easier. On average, you can expect them to last around 5 to 7 years, depending on how you look after them [2].
Step 1: The Initial Consultation and Clinical Check-Up
The veneer process kicks off with a thorough consultation and diagnosis. This appointment lays the groundwork for safe and successful treatment.
During this visit, we take a close look at:
- How thick your enamel is and whether it’s in good shape
- Your gum health and whether your gums are stable
- How your bite is aligned and what your teeth are doing when you bite down
- Whether you’ve got any habits like clenching or grinding that could cause problems
The American Dental Association says we shouldn’t put veneers over decay or inflamed teeth, because that makes it really likely the veneer will fail and cause long-term problems [1].
Step 2: Planning Your Smile and Taking a Diagnostic Preview
We use digital smile design and diagnostic wax-ups to plan out your veneer treatment. These tools let us see what the proposed changes will look like on your teeth length, shape and alignment before we do any irreversible work.
From a clinical point of view, this stage helps us work out how much risk there is and how to get the best outcome for you, and it helps you understand what you can expect after treatment.
Step 3: Preparing Your Teeth
If we’re doing porcelain veneers, tooth preparation involves carefully removing some of the enamel from the front of your teeth. This reduction usually works out to be between 0.3 to 0.7 millimeters, depending on what kind of aesthetic result we’re going for and what your teeth are like to start with [3].
Preparation does a few key things:
- Gives us enough space to put the veneer in
- Prevents the veneer from looking too bulky
- Helps the adhesive bond to your teeth properly
We usually give you some local anaesthetic to make the process more comfortable. Because enamel doesn’t regrow, this has to be planned and explained to you carefully.
Step 4: Taking Your Impressions
Once we’ve prepared your teeth, we take precise impressions to capture the exact shape of your teeth and how they’re positioned. Accuracy at this stage is super important, because any mistakes could affect how your veneers look and fit, or how your teeth and gums interact.
We transmit these details to the lab and they use them to make your veneers [4].
Step 5: Temporary Veneers
Temporary veneers are put in place to protect the prepared teeth while the final restorations are being made. As well as keeping the smile looking good, they also let patients get a feel for how comfortable, and how the new teeth fit in with how they talk and generally how they look in the mirror.
Patients usually wear these temporary veneers for two to three weeks, depending on how quickly the lab can get the final veneers done. Any minor concerns or feelings can be sorted out before the final lot is put in place [5].
Step 6: Making the Final Veneers in the Lab
The final veneers are made by experienced dental technicians using advanced ceramic techniques, including layered porcelain or pressed ceramic methods. Each one is individually made to match the shape, look and feel of the patient’s natural teeth.
Getting the lab to make the veneers generally takes one to two weeks, but if the case is a bit more complicated then it may take a bit longer [2].
Step 7: Placement and Bonding the Final Restorations
When the temporary veneers come out and the final ones are about to go in, they get a once over in the mouth to check fit, color accuracy and how well they match the rest of the teeth. If everything looks good then the veneers get bonded in place using special glue and a light to make sure they stick really well.
Getting this bit right is vital to make sure the veneers last and don’t break or fall out [4].
Step 8: Final Assessment & Bite Adjustment
After the veneers are in, the dentist checks that the bite is right. Minor bite discrepancies can cause a lot of stress on the veneers long term.
Any adjustments needed to get the bite right can be done to make sure the veneers last for a long time [4].
Recovery After Placement
Most patients return to normal activities shortly after getting veneers. Some soreness with hot and cold or a bit of pressure is normal and usually goes away after a few days.
If the discomfort persists then it could be worth checking that the veneers are fitted properly and not rubbing the wrong way or that the bonding has gone wrong somehow.
Taking Care of Your Veneers
To make sure your veneers last you need to take care of them just like you would your natural teeth. Incorporating a few additional protective habits can significantly extend their lifespan.
To keep your veneers in top condition patients are advised to:
- Maintain regular brushing and flossing
- Avoid biting hard objects or nails
- Address bruxism with protective measures if needed
Really looking after your veneers will make a big difference to how long they last.
Regular dental check ups are a great way to keep an eye on how your veneers are doing. Any little problems that come up can be sorted out before they become too serious and need a lot more work to put right.
While veneers are super reliable, patients need to be aware that they are a long-term restorative commitment and that they might need to be replaced at some point in the future.
The key thing is to make sure patients have realistic expectations about what veneers can do for them, and to keep an eye on how they are looking after them to keep them looking and feeling their best for years to come [1]
A Personalised Smile Transformation at NewStar Dental
Dental veneers have a long history in restorative dentistry and are a reliable solution for addressing a wide range of aesthetic concerns.
With careful diagnosis, minimal tooth preparation, and a precise bonding process, veneers can really deliver, providing a natural, long-term solution in both appearance and function to any smile problems.
If you are considering improving your smile, schedule a personal consultation at NewStar Dental today. A consultation does not commit you to treatment — it simply gives you clarity and professional guidance.
References
- American Dental Association. Veneers. MouthHealthy.
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/veneers - Smile Design Dentistry. How Long Do Veneers Last?
https://www.smiledesigndentistry.com/how-long-do-veneers-last/ - DMD Palo Alto. How Long Does the Veneer Procedure Take?
https://dmdpaloalto.com/post/how-long-does-the-veneer-procedure-take/ - Karen Williamson DDS. From Consultation to Final Smile: The Dental Veneer Process.
https://www.karenwilliamsondds.com/blog/from-consultation-to-final-smile-the-dental-veneer-process/ - Winthrop Smiles. How Veneers Changed My Smile & My Life.
https://www.winthropsmiles.com/blog/how-veneers-changed-my-smile-my-life/
