Cosmetic Veneers – The Process of a Smile Makeover

This female patient has long-term history of consuming acidic beverages (such as lemonade). The stained areas along the gumline are a result of a loss of enamel.
The lateral incisor on the patient’s left side not affected because it is an existing porcelain crown

After a thorough cosmetic and dental evaluation, a wax-up is made on a stone-copy model of the patients teeth to gauge how the tooth shape and contours can be improved prior to making any definitive changes. This process allows us to know where we’re headed before we get started.

At the first treatment visit, the wax-up is used as a matrix to make temporary acrylic restorations. This allows the patient to not only wear a cosmetically-pleasing smile in the interim while the lab fabricates the final porcelain veneers, but it also allows the patient to preview and evaluate the planned appearance. The dentist and the patient can now communicate what they like and don’t like, giving all parties and the lab valuable information that will contribute to a great result.

The final veneers are waxed up by lab technician and pressed into porcelain.

The pressed porcelain veneers (and one crown) after the furnace and ready for polishing.

The final, polished porcelain units on the model ready to be cemented.

Post-operative photo of the final result. The patient was thrilled.