The Process of Getting Dental Laminates in San Francisco Placed Onto Your Teeth

In our office in San Francisco, we provide dental laminates for those that are looking to improve the appearance of their smile. Laminates, also known as veneers, are an excellent way to create a uniform smile – one without stains, chips, cracks, etc. They can even close gaps in between teeth and change their overall shape and size, making them incredibly versatile. Since they are created to match the shade of your other teeth, you can use a laminate over one or all of your teeth in order to create a perfect smile.

If you are considering transforming the appearance of your smile, we invite you to call and schedule a consultation so that we can discuss the goals that you have and the best way to achieve them. We will start the process by completing a thorough examination and taking x-rays. This will provide us with information we need to make a recommendation regarding how to proceed. Simultaneously, we will look for any signs of infection or cavities because health issues need to be corrected before starting any cosmetic work. If your teeth and gums look healthy, we will make an impression of your teeth so that we can send the dental lab the information they need to create the laminates.

It can take the lab one to two weeks to prepare your dental laminate, during which time your teeth will need to be prepared. In order to do so, we will need to remove a portion of the enamel from the surface of your teeth. The laminate serves to replace that enamel and this process ensures that it lays flat instead of protruding out from the other teeth. Since the enamel serves to protect your teeth, once it has been removed, a temporary will need to be worn until your permanent laminate is ready. This is typically secured with a water-based removable glue that can easily come off when it is time to make the switch. Given that it is designed to be removable it is important to practice caution while eating to ensure that it doesn't accidentally become dislodged. Fortunately, it is only worn for a short time before you come back in.

Once the lab is finished completing your dental laminates, you will come back in for the bonding procedure. In this appointment, we will check to make sure that the laminates have been created to our exact specifications and after removing your temporaries will place them onto your teeth to double check how they look. If any small adjustments are necessary, now is the time to make them. Next, we will place dental cement onto your tooth and secure the laminates in place, bonding them with a special dental light for strength and durability. Once hardened, your teeth will look amazing and you can go about life eating your favorite foods and enjoying your new smile. There are no restrictions on what you can do so long as you treat your dental laminates as though they were a natural tooth. For example, you can't eat ice or chew a pencil now, nor should you in the future.