Like many other cosmetic dental operations, getting dental veneers placed requires lots of communication between dentist and patient, and while it does take time, it becomes a worthwhile investment when done properly.

First, the planning: you and your dentist need to make an appointment to sit down and discuss the goals that you are looking to achieve. Your dentist will then examine your teeth and mouth to make sure that dental veneers are the appropriate solution for you. This is also the time to ask plenty of questions regarding the procedure itself and what to expect. This appointment can be considered even more important than the actual operation, as this is where the decisions are made.

Your tooth will be prepared by the dentist, who will take off a layer of enamel from the tooth – the layer that will be replaced by the dental veneers. Anesthetic will be applied prior to this procedure, usually just a local anesthetic. A model of the tooth will then be made, which will be sent to a laboratory for veneer construction. It usually takes one to two weeks for this process to be completed. In the meantime, temporary veneers can be placed if necessary.

The tooth will be cleaned and polished prior to bonding. After the bonding is set, you are done! The dentist will schedule an appointment to follow-up on the teeth and make sure that the gums are reacting appropriately to the veneer.